Gearing to hard

"Billy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello I have a Trek 1400 road bike, and I just struggle to climb steep
hills.
I am pretty fit, and I really beleive that the gearing on this bike is

just

Quoted message said:

not suited to climbing.

My question is , how do I get better gearing, more easier to climb, and

also

Quoted message said:

is it an expensive conversion to do ?

Thanks very much.

hi billy
start by counting how many teeth you have on each gear so people know what
you have to start with.
does it have double or triple chainrings?
a quick look on the net shows both on the trek 1400. if you have a double,
then fitting a triple wont be hard, but it is going to cost you. some quick
prices, shimano 105 triple crank at $288.99, front derailleur $85, rear
derailleur $117.95 and lastly bottom bracket for $72. i am sure you will be
able to do on the price if you buy it all at once.

oh and where are you from? it might help others to know which hills you are
talking about. maybe you need to do more work on yourself before you worry
to much about the bike.(i know i sure do).
stu

Wouldn't it be cheaper just to change his rear cassette for another
with some easier gearing?????

And isn't that a fairly straight forward conversion?? I always assumed
that your LBS could whip out the old cassette and whip in the new one
reasonably quickly...

No idea of costs, and no idea if I am speaking out of my a#$e...

I guess first step would be to count teeth on the biggest/smallest cog,
so we all know what is being discussed (as mentioned already) - and
also what your gruppo is (ie. Tiagra/Dura-Ace/Sora, etc, etc)

Cheers,
Absent Husband (who is wondering as well.....)

"Absent Husband" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Wouldn't it be cheaper just to change his rear cassette for another
with some easier gearing?????

And isn't that a fairly straight forward conversion?? I always assumed
that your LBS could whip out the old cassette and whip in the new one
reasonably quickly...

No idea of costs, and no idea if I am speaking out of my a#$e...

I guess first step would be to count teeth on the biggest/smallest cog,
so we all know what is being discussed (as mentioned already) - and
also what your gruppo is (ie. Tiagra/Dura-Ace/Sora, etc, etc)

Cheers,
Absent Husband (who is wondering as well.....)

oops
i was ass/umming he had a pretty big(number if teeth) gear on the back and
small one(for a double) on the front and that he wanted alot lower gearing.
but maybe he would get away with just the cassette. but even then he might
need the new rear derailleur.
stu

Billy said:

Hello I have a Trek 1400 road bike, and I just struggle to climb steep
hills.
I am pretty fit, and I really beleive that the gearing on this bike is just
not suited to climbing.

My question is , how do I get better gearing, more easier to climb, and also
is it an expensive conversion to do ?

Thanks very much.

Have a look at

http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/techctr/gearing.html

jh

Great article JH...!!

I've often wondered about getting an 'easier' casette, and compact
cranks. Perhaps when I get around to the next 'upgrade', the compact
cranks may be the way to go...

Cheers,
Absent Husband

Ok thanks for the feedback.
Ok I am in Brisbane, and I tried to climb Mt Cootha, and after 5 minutes or
so, I gave up, gearing seemed just to hard for that climb.
Also some steep hills that are only 100 meters I seem to struggle.
With my Mountain Bike I find it so much easier.

Ok I counted the teeth.
The front Big Chain Ring has 53
Front small 40

The rear chain rings range from 12 for the smallest, to 20 for the biggest.
Its Shimano 105 groupset.

Does this gearing sound normal, or is it gearing more designed for flat
stuff ?

Thanks again.
"stu" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Billy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello I have a Trek 1400 road bike, and I just struggle to climb steep
hills.
I am pretty fit, and I really beleive that the gearing on this bike is

just

Quoted message said:

not suited to climbing.

My question is , how do I get better gearing, more easier to climb, and

also

Quoted message said:

is it an expensive conversion to do ?

Thanks very much.

hi billy
start by counting how many teeth you have on each gear so people know what
you have to start with.
does it have double or triple chainrings?
a quick look on the net shows both on the trek 1400. if you have a double,
then fitting a triple wont be hard, but it is going to cost you. some

quick

Quoted message said:

prices, shimano 105 triple crank at $288.99, front derailleur $85, rear
derailleur $117.95 and lastly bottom bracket for $72. i am sure you will

be

Quoted message said:

able to do on the price if you buy it all at once.

oh and where are you from? it might help others to know which hills you

are

Quoted message said:

talking about. maybe you need to do more work on yourself before you worry
to much about the bike.(i know i sure do).
stu

"Billy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ok thanks for the feedback.
Ok I am in Brisbane, and I tried to climb Mt Cootha, and after 5 minutes

or

Quoted message said:

so, I gave up, gearing seemed just to hard for that climb.
Also some steep hills that are only 100 meters I seem to struggle.
With my Mountain Bike I find it so much easier.

Ok I counted the teeth.
The front Big Chain Ring has 53
Front small 40

The rear chain rings range from 12 for the smallest, to 20 for the

biggest.

Quoted message said:

Its Shimano 105 groupset.

Does this gearing sound normal, or is it gearing more designed for flat
stuff ?

Don't know Brisbane but I believe Mt Cootha is a typical steady mountain
climb.

53/40 X 12/20 is definitely flat road gearing unless you're a hard core road
racer (ie. very fit) so I'd suggest visiting your LBS to consider a wider
range rear cassette, maybe 12-28. They can also advise you about whether
you'll need to get a different rear derailleur (and longer chain?). Probably
up to 12-26 you'll be OK with the same derailleur, but wider cassettes need
a der. with a longer jockey cage to wrap up more chain.

Cheers
Peter

Peter Signorini said:

"Billy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ok thanks for the feedback.
Ok I am in Brisbane, and I tried to climb Mt Cootha, and after 5 minutes

or

Quoted message said:

so, I gave up, gearing seemed just to hard for that climb.
Also some steep hills that are only 100 meters I seem to struggle.
With my Mountain Bike I find it so much easier.

Ok I counted the teeth.
The front Big Chain Ring has 53
Front small 40

The rear chain rings range from 12 for the smallest, to 20 for the

biggest.

Quoted message said:

Its Shimano 105 groupset.

Does this gearing sound normal, or is it gearing more designed for flat
stuff ?

Don't know Brisbane but I believe Mt Cootha is a typical steady mountain
climb.

53/40 X 12/20 is definitely flat road gearing unless you're a hard core road
racer (ie. very fit) so I'd suggest visiting your LBS to consider a wider
range rear cassette, maybe 12-28. They can also advise you about whether
you'll need to get a different rear derailleur (and longer chain?). Probably
up to 12-26 you'll be OK with the same derailleur, but wider cassettes need
a der. with a longer jockey cage to wrap up more chain.

Cheers
Peter

There would be some old posts on here about Mt Coot-tha stats. Basically
it's a nasty nasty hill. I've done it on my MTB several times and on my
good road bike, which has a nice 30/42/53 on the front and
12-17/19/21/23 on the back. On my commuter I really really struggle,
it's got the same rear cassette but the front is 39/5? but hey I'm just
a runner who only likes cycling if I get to spin and I hate having to be
in the lowest gear on a bike and hearing it complain.

T

Oh for goodness sake - Mt Coot-tha is (arguably) the toughest hill
climb in Brisbane. And definitely the longest.

First tip - don't beat up on yourself, its a bloody tough climb!!!

2nd tip - yes, your gearing is designed for flat stuff. My cassette is
a 12-23, and I'd consider that a 'compromise between hills/flats'
cassette.

I would definitely hit up the LBS for a new cassette... Will make your
bike much more versatile... And I understand Shimano put out a number
of rear cassette combos, so there is bound to be one that you can fit
without replacing any other gear...

Cheers,
Absent Husband

"Billy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ok thanks for the feedback.
Ok I am in Brisbane, and I tried to climb Mt Cootha, and after 5 minutes
or
so, I gave up, gearing seemed just to hard for that climb.
Also some steep hills that are only 100 meters I seem to struggle.
With my Mountain Bike I find it so much easier.

Ok I counted the teeth.
The front Big Chain Ring has 53
Front small 40

The rear chain rings range from 12 for the smallest, to 20 for the
biggest.
Its Shimano 105 groupset.

Does this gearing sound normal, or is it gearing more designed for flat
stuff ?

Nah that's way too tall for climbing. (Are you sure it's not a 21 though, I
don't think there is a 12-20 or 11-20 cassette in 105). I'd recommend
getting a 12-25 cassette like this one
http://www.phantomcycles.com.au/product.php?productid=13&cat=17&page=1
you can get them on ebay pretty cheap too. You just need a chain whip and a
cassette tool to swap it over or get your LBS to do it in about 2 minutes.

Adam

"Absent Husband" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Oh for goodness sake - Mt Coot-tha is (arguably) the toughest hill
climb in Brisbane. And definitely the longest.

No way! It's short - the hard bit is only 2.3km! Try the climb from Samford
to Mt Glorious, or coming back from Somerset Dam way up the northbrook
parkway up the back of Mt Glorious. Or I found this killer street in
Paddington last week, that climbs up towards the big old church...forgot the
name but man it's well over 20%

Adam

"Billy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ok thanks for the feedback.
Ok I am in Brisbane, and I tried to climb Mt Cootha, and after 5 minutes

or

Quoted message said:

so, I gave up, gearing seemed just to hard for that climb.
Also some steep hills that are only 100 meters I seem to struggle.
With my Mountain Bike I find it so much easier.

from melb, so i am no help to you there

Quoted message said:

Ok I counted the teeth.
The front Big Chain Ring has 53
Front small 40

shimano doesnt list a 40 tooth, 39 tooth maybe?

Quoted message said:

The rear chain rings range from 12 for the smallest, to 20 for the

biggest.

Quoted message said:

Its Shimano 105 groupset.

this is alot smaller than i was thinking
so the good news is, even the small rear derailleur has a max sprocket size
of 27teeth and 29 teeth total difference.
so anything up to a 12-27 wont be a problem(apart from maybe a new chain)

do you think that will be enough?
if you can be bothered with the math, you could find a gear on your MTB
thats is the same as 40/27

stu

Thanks so much to everyone, I feel so much better now, yeah I thought my
gearing was not on my side.
And yeah Mt Cootha is a mongrel climb.

By the way, how does Alp De Huez compare to Mt Cootha, anyone know ?
Ok I am off to my LBS tommorow to replace my rear cassette, I will let you
all know how I go after that.
Lance watch out !!!! (^_^)
"Absent Husband" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Great article JH...!!

I've often wondered about getting an 'easier' casette, and compact
cranks. Perhaps when I get around to the next 'upgrade', the compact
cranks may be the way to go...

Cheers,
Absent Husband

"adam" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:42282530$0$5189

Quoted message said:

Nah that's way too tall for climbing. (Are you sure it's not a 21 though,

I

Quoted message said:

don't think there is a 12-20 or 11-20 cassette in 105). I'd recommend
getting a 12-25 cassette like this one
http://www.phantomcycles.com.au/product.php?productid=13&cat=17&page=1
you can get them on ebay pretty cheap too. You just need a chain whip and

a

Quoted message said:

cassette tool to swap it over or get your LBS to do it in about 2 minutes.

Adam

As Adam says the cassette is probably 12-21. I wouldn't go for the 12-25,
instead I'd be looking for 12-27, which I believe is not made in 105 but is
made in Ultegra.

(on a 12-25 the last 2 cogs are 23 and 25 and on a 12-27 you get 24 and 27)

As adam also said shop around ebay and you can get a pretty good deal

Peter

Billy said:

Ok thanks for the feedback.
Ok I am in Brisbane, and I tried to climb Mt Cootha, and after 5 minutes or
so, I gave up, gearing seemed just to hard for that climb.
Also some steep hills that are only 100 meters I seem to struggle.
With my Mountain Bike I find it so much easier.

Ok I counted the teeth.
The front Big Chain Ring has 53
Front small 40

The rear chain rings range from 12 for the smallest, to 20 for the biggest.
Its Shimano 105 groupset.

Does this gearing sound normal, or is it gearing more designed for flat
stuff ?

It is possible to get up that hill with that gearing, but you sure won't
be spinning (I broke a shoe doing it!). Think of it as strength
training ;-)

If you want to make it easier on yourself, like some of the others have
suggested, get yourself a different cluster. I noticed a huge
difference going up my killer hill (Mount Street in Perth) just going
from a 40/18 on my old bike to a 39/23 on the new bike.

"Billy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

snip
By the way, how does Alp De Huez compare to Mt Cootha, anyone know ?
snip

The Mt Cootha profile can be found at

http://www.bq.org.au/events/rides/Coot-thaProfile.pdf

To see how you compare to those who have posted their times go to:
http://www.cycle2max.com/c2m/climbs.nsf/Vtrial/F9B9DB157D9D64CA69256C84002D7F22?OpenDocument.

Alp De Huez should be readily available at one of the Tour websites.

Maybe the BLART ride could do Mt Cootha one Sunday for a bit of variety.

JH

<snip>
Maybe the BLART ride could do Mt Cootha one Sunday for a bit of
variety.
<snip>

That's funny - I just broke out in a cold sweat.... I wonder what
brought that on??

Absent Husband (who got dropped today by the La Dolce Vita/Park Rd
training bunch, and is feeling every pound of his lard [censored]...)

adam said:

"Absent Husband" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Oh for goodness sake - Mt Coot-tha is (arguably) the toughest hill
climb in Brisbane. And definitely the longest.

No way! It's short - the hard bit is only 2.3km! Try the climb from Samford
to Mt Glorious, or coming back from Somerset Dam way up the northbrook
parkway up the back of Mt Glorious. Or I found this killer street in
Paddington last week, that climbs up towards the big old church...forgot the
name but man it's well over 20%

Adam

You rang a nasty old memory there! The climb from Samford to Mt Glorious is a killer - it is not only long, but the steepest bit is right near the end when you're already knackered...

Ritch

Quoted message said:

You rang a nasty old memory there! The climb from Samford to Mt
Glorious is a killer - it is not only long, but the steepest bit is
right near the end when you're already knackered...

Ritch

It's a good one hey! I didn't have the polar computer on the way up but
here's the altitude profile when I went down that way on Australia day.
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/passion-fingers/MtGloriousToSamford.jpg

And this ones the climb up Mt. Nebo to Mt. Glorious.
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/passion-fingers/MtNebo.jpg

HR & speeds hidden to protect the innocent 🙂

Adam