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Gearing suggestion for Levi's GranFondo - 39X27 isn't low enough!
Hi,
I did a pre-ride of Levi's GranFondo yesterday, at least 55 miles of the hardest section (King Ridge Road 3,600' azcent) of it anyway. I found that my gearing was way to heavy for the hills. My lowest gear is 39X27.
Total ascent is 6,500'. I live near the course, but I've never seen anything like this hill around here. No wonder Levi trains on it.
Does anyone have a suggestion for a good gear ratio I can switch to? I have FSA chain rings and shimano cassette, and don't want to make changes to things other than the chainring or the cassette. I've been interested in Q-Ring's if that leads the discussion any where.
Thanks,
Jared
I did a pre-ride of Levi's GranFondo yesterday, at least 55 miles of the hardest section (King Ridge Road 3,600' azcent) of it anyway. I found that my gearing was way to heavy for the hills. My lowest gear is 39X27.
Total ascent is 6,500'. I live near the course, but I've never seen anything like this hill around here. No wonder Levi trains on it.
Does anyone have a suggestion for a good gear ratio I can switch to? I have FSA chain rings and shimano cassette, and don't want to make changes to things other than the chainring or the cassette. I've been interested in Q-Ring's if that leads the discussion any where.
Thanks,
Jared
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jan Valencia on -
Jared,
Not much you can do except borrow or buy a compact crank, it's only 10 min job to swap.
Jan
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Permalink Reply by Jared Vollmer on -
Yeah, that seems to be my research ended up as well. It is great to have someone verify, thanks for the response.
Jared
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Permalink Reply by Ron Correa on -
Hey Jared,
Frankly put there is no way really to get the gear ratio your legs are screaming for without ponying up for a compact crank. I live in Seattle where the hills have no large amount of climbing (500-900ft) but they are steep. The compact crank is the reason I am able to make it home by the end of the day. I run the 50/34 combo which most of the day I spend in the 50T unless I am climbing the hills. The great thing about the Compact as well is I can run a 52/38T, 52/36T or 50/36 combonation to fit the riding I am to do. FSA SLK light are the cranks I am running and FSA makes quite a few rings to accomodate your taste. ( Or at least what your legs can handle)
Ron
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Permalink Reply by VeloReviews on -
You're running out of time! Do you live in the Bay Area? I would think Performance Bike would have a compact crank in stock or Mike's Bikes in the City. http://reviews.veloreviews.com/reviews/shimano-fc-r700-compact-cran...
Please post some pics of your ride!
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