SRAM road group: easy gears?

What's that for? Climbing a wall? A MTN derailleur needed.

A wall? More like 6 of them at up to 17.5%!

EC recommendations on gearing:

Gearing recommendations: pro 39/25-27, CAT 1-2 39/27-30, CAT 3 34-39/34, CAT 4-5 30-34/34, Public 26-30/34. If you are a great climber you may get away with higher gears. If you aren't a good climber go LOWER.

here's what Gilberto Simoni had to say about his gearing choice:

"My only regret is not having mounted a triple"

I've reviewed the course profile and a triple would be my choice!

Good luck, doc! Have fun on that ride...definitely take a camera.

956870733 said:

What's that for? Climbing a wall? A MTN derailleur needed.

Will a SRAM mtb derallieur work with SRAM road shifters?

I think that Westgaurd Pass would be a tough one no matter what gear you're running... But it should be doable in the 34-26...

SRAM supports up to a 28 in the back, and will sell an 11-28 next year.

Also, IRC sells an 11-28 (Shimano compatible). Shimano and SRAM cassettes are interchangable.

So no reason to restrict yourself to the 26.

I've ridden the Everest Challenge, and I feel a 34/28 is sufficient if you can generally sustain at least 3.5 W/kg, for example. Nothing super-steep. Just lots of climbing at altitude.

FreeHueco said:

I think that Westgaurd Pass would be a tough one no matter what gear you're running... But it should be doable in the 34-26...

djconnel said:

SRAM supports up to a 28 in the back, and will sell an 11-28 next year.

Also, IRC sells an 11-28 (Shimano compatible). Shimano and SRAM cassettes are interchangable.

So no reason to restrict yourself to the 26.

I've ridden the Everest Challenge, and I feel a 34/28 is sufficient if you can generally sustain at least 3.5 W/kg, for example. Nothing super-steep. Just lots of climbing at altitude.

Man, now y'all have me thinking of riding that one this year... 🙂

Switching to a casette with a 28 in the rear would give you the least expensive option. But would it be enough of a difference? Maybe. $ 50-60 and you are done. Is it really worth changing a bike you are happy with with new casette and derailer and who knows what else including adjustments to make it worth for one ride worth it? I would see if you could borrow or rent a bike for the day with the gearing you are looking for. Even if it cost $100-150 for the day to rent a bike it is probably worth not going through everything necessary to change the bike you have.

It's absolutely worth changing the cassette. First, a 2 tooth difference is substantial. Second, switching to an unfamilar bike for a major event like Everest Challenge would be a serious mistake. Even if the cassette was never used again (and it WILL be used again; if anything, folks tend to stick with lower gears when they have a taste of them), it would be a small investment compared with the overall investment of doing the ride. Way better than to be wishing for those two extra teeth on the climb to Bristlecombs.

Dan

geraldatwork said:

Switching to a casette with a 28 in the rear would give you the least expensive option. But would it be enough of a difference? Maybe. $ 50-60 and you are done. Is it really worth changing a bike you are happy with with new casette and derailer and who knows what else including adjustments to make it worth for one ride worth it? I would see if you could borrow or rent a bike for the day with the gearing you are looking for. Even if it cost $100-150 for the day to rent a bike it is probably worth not going through everything necessary to change the bike you have.