Gearing Help please
#26
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Well we will have to see. I already ordered a 11-32 cassette from Amazon, but its a free return. So if anything Ill trade it in for a 11-28 or 26.
And yes the particular hill i was on was 20% grade, at least according to the internet. Its a known hill in the cycling community here (Mountain Gate road, LA).
And regarding the front chain rings, I feel like I should first try and change out rear cassette before trying to mess with the front chain ring, crank setup. That will be more costly and I would need to research what is compatible with my bike, drivetrain etc.
And yes the particular hill i was on was 20% grade, at least according to the internet. Its a known hill in the cycling community here (Mountain Gate road, LA).
And regarding the front chain rings, I feel like I should first try and change out rear cassette before trying to mess with the front chain ring, crank setup. That will be more costly and I would need to research what is compatible with my bike, drivetrain etc.
#27
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Yeah I havent had a chance to look anything up just yet. Will research and get back to you. Thank for that info
#28
Full Member
Ill look up the present gearing, but Im 37 and im an avid rider. I did a grade ranging from 3-5.5% this morning, and it was fine. Doable no issues. Didnt even get out of the saddle. But then i hit a 20% grade, and after about a 1000 ft of pushing hard out of the saddle, there was just no where to go. The gears waaay too high. Im not saying Im looking for Lance Armstrong gears, but I really do think this gearing is not right.
#29
Senior Member
You should be able to ride a compact 34-28 up 20% if it isn't too long. With that gearing I'm riding up 16% that is about 200 yards and I'm 75. I'm doing 1 mile of 10%. Though I'm Not happy about it and if I'm not in good condition I have to stop short of the top to rest.
Last edited by Racing Dan; 09-21-20 at 01:54 PM.
#30
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Finally got to install the new cassette. To my surprise, I didnt even need to adjust the RD. It went and shifted just fine with no excessive noise or pressure, at least on my short test ride. But, since this is my first time ever switching out a cassette, i had a question. Is the entire cassette supposed to have any play once installed? I can literally shift the entire cassette left and right when its installed on the back wheel. Its not alot, like 2-3 cms, but you can clearly see it move around if I put my fingers on it and push it. I m not entirely sure, but I believe its the hub itself moving everything left and right. Is this normal?
and perhaps related, although i have no shifting noise, and there is no noise at all when the bike is on my bike rack spinning the crank etc, when I get on the bike and ride it, there is a new noise Ive never heard before. And it does not occur when Im actually spinning the cranks or pulling the chain, it actually happens just freewheeling. And its on and off, not uniform. More when I lean the bike left and right. Is this related to my first concern? Any clues? Thanks
and perhaps related, although i have no shifting noise, and there is no noise at all when the bike is on my bike rack spinning the crank etc, when I get on the bike and ride it, there is a new noise Ive never heard before. And it does not occur when Im actually spinning the cranks or pulling the chain, it actually happens just freewheeling. And its on and off, not uniform. More when I lean the bike left and right. Is this related to my first concern? Any clues? Thanks