So while I wait for some colourful tyres, I was also thinking about my gearing since I am slowly planning to go touring again this summer.
Currently I am of course running a 48/28T in the front with an 11-speed 11-32 in the back. This gives me a 499% range with a 24.3 - 121 low and high.
The issue that I ran into a couple of years ago in the mountains is that the low gear really isn't low enough for loaded touring for me and I do actually use the 48 x 11 on longer stretches on the flat. That seems to be correct from what I've read online.
This setup requires a
41T derailleur capacity which my Shimano Deore 2x11 derailleur does. (
RD-M5120-SGS) though Shimano is known for being conservative with their capacity rating. From what I've seen online is people running these succesfully with 50/34 x 11-40 for a
45T capacity.
So if I want to improve my gear range I have a couple of options.
- Get an 11-36 cassette for more climbing abilty without losing top-end for about €60+ (561% range, 45T capacity)
- Get both a different set of 46/26T chainrings AND an 11-36 cassette for even better low-end at the expense of high-end for €150+ (579% range, 45T capacity)
- 44/26T x 11-40T for off-road touring capability for €160+ (571% range, 45T capacity)
- Increase the capacity of the rear derailleur with a Garbaruk replacement derailleur cage + larger pulley wheels and combine any of these.
- Bonus: I can embrace my inner European by getting outrageous colour combinations. I'm thinking silver cage, blue pulley wheels and a golden chain.
- Push my luck by keeping the 48 in front, but stealing a 26T from another bike in combination with a longer cage + 11-36T cassette for about €200 (604% range, 47T capacity)
- The Ultegra front derailleur is rated for a 16T difference and is already pushing 20T but... from a previous post it looks like there is room to push that to 22T.
- Upside of this one over the other options would be the much smaller steps between gears on the high end.
- Try any of the above by replacing the rear derailleur with a (slightly ugly IMHO) Shimano SLX (RD-M7120-SGS) 2x12 model that already has 45T capacity + 11-42 cassette.
So in visual terms:
#1) Lowering the low a bit
#2) Droppin' it down
#3) Pie plates in the back, tea cups up front
#5) Pushing that luck
#6 It might be ugly, but it does get you up mountains
Something to ponder as I make plans for the summer and start budgeting.
In the meantime, some shiny silver bits that inspired this train of thought.