When I go up to Scyvier Cycles to talk about this new bike, I know that I'm going to be asked about gear ratios. I honestly haven't got a clue what would be appropriate. Suggestions appreciated.
My current bike offers no clues; it's an 8 gear hub purely for commuting and utility duties. My previous bike was one of the faster flat barred Ridgebacks (but not the Day series). I have no idea what the gearing was but it took me most places I wanted to go.
If it's relevant, I'll probably be going for the Veloce triple.
"Not Responding" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
When I go up to Scyvier Cycles to talk about this new bike, I know that I'm going to be asked about gear ratios. I honestly haven't got a clue what would be appropriate. Suggestions appreciated.
My current bike offers no clues; it's an 8 gear hub purely for commuting and utility duties. My previous bike was one of the faster flat barred Ridgebacks (but not the Day series). I have no idea what the gearing was but it took me most places I wanted to go.
If it's relevant, I'll probably be going for the Veloce triple.
Triple with close ratio back - 13-23 on the back if 9, 12-23 or 13-26 if 10 (probably the latter).
Well, that's what I've got and I quite like it :-)
"Not Responding" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
When I go up to Scyvier Cycles to talk about this new bike, I know that I'm going to be asked about gear ratios. I honestly haven't got a clue what would be appropriate. Suggestions appreciated.
My current bike offers no clues; it's an 8 gear hub purely for commuting and utility duties. My previous bike was one of the faster flat barred Ridgebacks (but not the Day series). I have no idea what the gearing was but it took me most places I wanted to go.
If it's relevant, I'll probably be going for the Veloce triple.
If you're planning "long" day-rides rather than a couple of hours round the lanes you will need low gears. For a start what is the lowest gear on your hybrid? Veloce seem only to do 52-42-30 at the front so you then have to choose the sprockets, you can go 13-28 on 9 speed 13-29 on 10. This still gives you a decent top gear for downhill with a following wind and something lowish for getting up hills. However a lot depends on your style, since upping my cadence I have a real preference for lower gears. I have a Racing triple on the front 50,40 and replaced the 30 with a 28 and 13-28 on the back. I still walk up hills sometimes. A hill you can power up after 10 miles can be a real challenge after 100.
So to sum it up; with 9 or 10 speed you have a good choice of closely spaced gears. To decide I would err on the side of caution with the cassette; it's cheap and easy to replace as you get fitter and faster. As a reality check can you look up the specs for your hub and get the gear ratios from the spec - just top and bottom would do. Bear in mind a light roadbike will be lighter and quicker (I hope!); then have a think about how far you may want to cycle in a day. The other thing is to discuss all this with John when you go to Waterlooville.
When I go up to Scyvier Cycles to talk about this new bike, I know that I'm going to be asked about gear ratios. I honestly haven't got a clue what would be appropriate. Suggestions appreciated.
My current bike offers no clues; it's an 8 gear hub purely for commuting and utility duties. My previous bike was one of the faster flat barred Ridgebacks (but not the Day series). I have no idea what the gearing was but it took me most places I wanted to go.
If it's relevant, I'll probably be going for the Veloce triple.
Veloce triple cranks come with 30-42-52 rings. You're unlikely to be offered a choice on those, though they could be changed later.
For general riding & touring, my suggestion for a cassette to go with that chainset is a bit lower & less "close" than Clive's but it's still probably no wider than what you've been used to: 14-28 for the 9-speed version (or 13-29 for 10-speed).
