eay

My Clydesdale sweetheart has a bike (Specialized Sirrus from at least 8 years ago) that fits him, but the gearing didn't suit him. So he hardly ever rides.

He already had a triple in front, but the cogs in the rear were total roadie: small range and high gearing (for someone who just wants to cruise along).

So circumstances finally conspired to persuade him that at least asking about the components would be A Good Thing.

We went, we asked, we got new cogs installed.

I don't know the details, but I can tell you that the old set had a 25 for the big, and the new has 34. So of course a new derailler also.

We went home and he decided to ride up the neighborhood hill (he normally won't even try it). He progressed up the hill slowly and steadily. (The average grade is about 4% and there is a section of 14% if you believe ridewithgps. I think the steep section is about 10%).
He is pleased.
And so am I.

freighttraininguphill

Good choice! All my climbing bikes have Shimano MegaRange 11-34 cassettes, long cage mtb derailleurs, and 24-tooth small chainrings on triples. That Bike Friday you saw me riding on New Year's Day has even lower gearing than a mountain bike! I replaced the stock 30t small chainring with a 24t. Didn't have to do anything with the cassette, as the small wheels make up for that.

Now you two can go on climbing rides. Have fun!

Seattle Forrest

Why didn't he just climb in the smallest chain ring before, if he had a triple?

freighttraininguphill

From eay's post:
If you don't have low enough gearing in the rear, climbing steep hills can be more of a sufferfest than it needs to be, even with a triple. When I got my road bike it had a 13-26 cassette. Since I was still 185 pounds at the time and not as strong as I am now, I struggled up long climbs with grades of 8% or higher, even though I was in my lowest gear. That's why I replaced the cassette with an 11-34 and the small chainring with a 24t. Now I can climb 25% grades in the saddle with that bike.

eay

What freight said.
He does not have the strength/aerobic capacity to use the gearing he had. Not even in the granny and on the largest in back.