Time to ask again how many gears does a bike really need
12-17-17, 08:23 AM
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Time to ask again how many gears does a bike really need
Since the 80s the number of gears on the rear cluster has gone up from the long time 5 to 12. With a triple in the front that gives the rider 36 gears. Do we really need that many?
In my case with the mountain bike, and touring bike I no longer have, and the bent and trike I now have with mountain bike gearing, it does afford one way to shift. The bent bike is a 9 speed in the rear. The way I use it is as a 3 range. Granny is for riding up steep hills. Then center ring is for most riding. The big ring is for down hills and with the wind. I simply then shift across the rear cluster as needed.
But back to the question------------how many gears do bikes really need, and will they go above 12 in the rear.
In my case with the mountain bike, and touring bike I no longer have, and the bent and trike I now have with mountain bike gearing, it does afford one way to shift. The bent bike is a 9 speed in the rear. The way I use it is as a 3 range. Granny is for riding up steep hills. Then center ring is for most riding. The big ring is for down hills and with the wind. I simply then shift across the rear cluster as needed.
But back to the question------------how many gears do bikes really need, and will they go above 12 in the rear.
12-17-17, 08:26 AM
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How did you conclude it was time to ask this yet again? Seems a little premature, IMO.
12-17-17, 08:32 AM
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12-17-17, 08:35 AM
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Last edited by BobbyG; 12-17-17 at 08:39 AM.
12-17-17, 09:04 AM
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How many one needs can depend upon terrain and fitness. I'm pretty happy with my 1x9 bike for the local riding where I live. Yet an hour's drive west I can find myself happier with my 2x9 bike. Yet I can remember being fitter years ago and 1x9 was good enough there too. So it all depends.
12-17-17, 09:12 AM
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The same as "how many licks does it take to get to center of a tootsie roll pop?"
12-17-17, 09:13 AM
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I enjoyed all the increased gearing up to 9.
I was just as happy with 9 as I am with my 10 and 11
I was just as happy with 9 as I am with my 10 and 11
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12-17-17, 09:48 AM
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Since the 80s the number of gears on the rear cluster has gone up from the long time 5 to 12. With a triple in the front that gives the rider 36 gears. Do we really need that many?
In my case with the mountain bike, and touring bike I no longer have, and the bent and trike I now have with mountain bike gearing, it does afford one way to shift. The bent bike is a 9 speed in the rear. The way I use it is as a 3 range. Granny is for riding up steep hills. Then center ring is for most riding. The big ring is for down hills and with the wind. I simply then shift across the rear cluster as needed.
But back to the question------------how many gears do bikes really need, and will they go above 12 in the rear.
In my case with the mountain bike, and touring bike I no longer have, and the bent and trike I now have with mountain bike gearing, it does afford one way to shift. The bent bike is a 9 speed in the rear. The way I use it is as a 3 range. Granny is for riding up steep hills. Then center ring is for most riding. The big ring is for down hills and with the wind. I simply then shift across the rear cluster as needed.
But back to the question------------how many gears do bikes really need, and will they go above 12 in the rear.
So your wish is coming true, we are going to fewer gears.
12-17-17, 10:21 AM
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12-17-17, 10:22 AM
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It's not the bike, it's "How many gears do YOU need" to get up the next hill ;-)
12-17-17, 10:31 AM
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....looking at my fixed gear......
The answer really is one. That is all you need. Would you want more? Some would. But all a bike needs is one.
The answer really is one. That is all you need. Would you want more? Some would. But all a bike needs is one.
12-17-17, 10:31 AM
#14
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Very location dependent..
IMHO its the breadth of the the ratio range ...
In 1957 my 3 speed first got a wider range with a 3 cog cluster.. on the hub driver..
Then, to further increase the range wider a triple crank was added..
....
IMHO its the breadth of the the ratio range ...
In 1957 my 3 speed first got a wider range with a 3 cog cluster.. on the hub driver..
Then, to further increase the range wider a triple crank was added..
....
Last edited by fietsbob; 12-19-17 at 02:43 PM.
12-17-17, 10:56 AM
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My bikes need all of them, sometimes more.
12-17-17, 11:43 AM
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Really the question is how many gears do we need. If racing, we need a bike as capable as the next. But for non-racers, it comes down to us; our capabilities and level of grit. The bike will do just fine with one. A rider as tough as the men who rode across the country 120 years ago needs just one. I leave it up to someone else to come up with a relationship between the toughness required to ride with one gear vs the toughness required when more are present but I can assure you that riding a typical road ride with wind and hills is a lot harder on one gear than many.
I've ridden Cycle Oregon using only three gear a day. (Fix gear with a flip-flop hub and carrying a chainwhip and spare cog on the mountain days.) A lot easier than just one gear but a lot harder than riding 99.5% of the bikes there.)
To answer rydabent's question with another question: Just how tough are you? (I know this concept won't set well with everybody. But I offer a simple challenge. Do any week long, 500 mile ride with your usual gearing. Do it again next year fixed or on a single speed. Come back and tell me I am wrong.)
Ben
I've ridden Cycle Oregon using only three gear a day. (Fix gear with a flip-flop hub and carrying a chainwhip and spare cog on the mountain days.) A lot easier than just one gear but a lot harder than riding 99.5% of the bikes there.)
To answer rydabent's question with another question: Just how tough are you? (I know this concept won't set well with everybody. But I offer a simple challenge. Do any week long, 500 mile ride with your usual gearing. Do it again next year fixed or on a single speed. Come back and tell me I am wrong.)
Ben
12-17-17, 12:01 PM
#17
~>~
What about the correct sequence for the re-re-re-etc-repeat Resurrection of the dead-horse threads "Going Fast is Wrong", "Cycling Kit is a Waste of $$", "Diamond Frames are Health Hazards", "Disc Brakes are Absolutely Necessary for Everyone" before "Too Many Gears is Bad"? That's like putting your Assos team kit socks on over your Sidi cycling shoes. 
-Bandera
-Bandera
12-17-17, 12:06 PM
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2 bum knees = lots of gears needed
12-17-17, 12:09 PM
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Since the 80s the number of gears on the rear cluster has gone up from the long time 5 to 12. With a triple in the front that gives the rider 36 gears. Do we really need that many?
In my case with the mountain bike, and touring bike I no longer have, and the bent and trike I now have with mountain bike gearing, it does afford one way to shift. The bent bike is a 9 speed in the rear. The way I use it is as a 3 range. Granny is for riding up steep hills. Then center ring is for most riding. The big ring is for down hills and with the wind. I simply then shift across the rear cluster as needed.
But back to the question------------how many gears do bikes really need, and will they go above 12 in the rear.
In my case with the mountain bike, and touring bike I no longer have, and the bent and trike I now have with mountain bike gearing, it does afford one way to shift. The bent bike is a 9 speed in the rear. The way I use it is as a 3 range. Granny is for riding up steep hills. Then center ring is for most riding. The big ring is for down hills and with the wind. I simply then shift across the rear cluster as needed.
But back to the question------------how many gears do bikes really need, and will they go above 12 in the rear.
12-17-17, 12:13 PM
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Since the 80s the number of gears on the rear cluster has gone up from the long time 5 to 12. With a triple in the front that gives the rider 36 gears. Do we really need that many?
In my case with the mountain bike, and touring bike I no longer have, and the bent and trike I now have with mountain bike gearing, it does afford one way to shift. The bent bike is a 9 speed in the rear. The way I use it is as a 3 range. Granny is for riding up steep hills. Then center ring is for most riding. The big ring is for down hills and with the wind. I simply then shift across the rear cluster as needed.
But back to the question------------how many gears do bikes really need, and will they go above 12 in the rear.
In my case with the mountain bike, and touring bike I no longer have, and the bent and trike I now have with mountain bike gearing, it does afford one way to shift. The bent bike is a 9 speed in the rear. The way I use it is as a 3 range. Granny is for riding up steep hills. Then center ring is for most riding. The big ring is for down hills and with the wind. I simply then shift across the rear cluster as needed.
But back to the question------------how many gears do bikes really need, and will they go above 12 in the rear.
The answer to your tolling question is 30. 30 is how many are needed. Anyone with less is not a true rider.
You are welcome as this allows you to rehash another one of your threads about what a true rider is.
12-17-17, 01:05 PM
#21
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There are two questions here: 1: how many gears do you (the rider) need and, 2: how many does the bike industry need.
As to the rider, on the road, I find a 2 x 7 system adequate. When drivetrains were at 9 cogs, we were past the point of diminishing returns.
3 x 7 systems if steep long climbs are involved. This is actually a very nice system, as you spend 90% of your time in the middle ring. Steep climbs are done in the granny. Go fast in the big ring. Simple.
As to how many cogs does the bike industry need - every 7 or so years another cog has to be added to the cassette. This maintains a cycle of sales churn, and planned obsolescence. It allows retailers to encourage customers to replace their old but perfectly functional bikes because: "We cannot get 9-speed parts anymore".
1 x systems are a brilliant continuation of this trend, as although this on road bikes is idiotic, it allows the planned obsolescence cycle to now extend to 12, 13, etc cassette cogs.
As to the rider, on the road, I find a 2 x 7 system adequate. When drivetrains were at 9 cogs, we were past the point of diminishing returns.
3 x 7 systems if steep long climbs are involved. This is actually a very nice system, as you spend 90% of your time in the middle ring. Steep climbs are done in the granny. Go fast in the big ring. Simple.
As to how many cogs does the bike industry need - every 7 or so years another cog has to be added to the cassette. This maintains a cycle of sales churn, and planned obsolescence. It allows retailers to encourage customers to replace their old but perfectly functional bikes because: "We cannot get 9-speed parts anymore".
1 x systems are a brilliant continuation of this trend, as although this on road bikes is idiotic, it allows the planned obsolescence cycle to now extend to 12, 13, etc cassette cogs.
Last edited by Dave Mayer; 12-17-17 at 01:24 PM.
12-17-17, 01:09 PM
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Pinion. Right now they're at 18, with huge range. Who knows what the limitations could be? Forget derailleurs.
I want a belt drive Pinion, hydro disc brakes, drop bar config.
-Kedosto
I want a belt drive Pinion, hydro disc brakes, drop bar config.
-Kedosto
12-17-17, 02:13 PM
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There are two questions here: 1: how many gears do you (the rider) need and, 2: how many does the bike industry need.
As to the rider, on the road, I find a 2 x 7 system adequate. When drivetrains were at 9 cogs, we were past the point of diminishing returns.
3 x 7 systems if steep long climbs are involved. This is actually a very nice system, as you spend 90% of your time in the middle ring. Steep climbs are done in the granny. Go fast in the big ring. Simple.
As to how many cogs does the bike industry need - every 7 or so years another cog has to be added to the cassette. This maintains a cycle of sales churn, and planned obsolescence. It allows retailers to encourage customers to replace their old but perfectly functional bikes because: "We cannot get 9-speed parts anymore".
1 x systems are a brilliant continuation of this trend, as although this on road bikes is idiotic, it allows the planned obsolescence cycle to now extend to 12, 13, etc cassette cogs.
As to the rider, on the road, I find a 2 x 7 system adequate. When drivetrains were at 9 cogs, we were past the point of diminishing returns.
3 x 7 systems if steep long climbs are involved. This is actually a very nice system, as you spend 90% of your time in the middle ring. Steep climbs are done in the granny. Go fast in the big ring. Simple.
As to how many cogs does the bike industry need - every 7 or so years another cog has to be added to the cassette. This maintains a cycle of sales churn, and planned obsolescence. It allows retailers to encourage customers to replace their old but perfectly functional bikes because: "We cannot get 9-speed parts anymore".
1 x systems are a brilliant continuation of this trend, as although this on road bikes is idiotic, it allows the planned obsolescence cycle to now extend to 12, 13, etc cassette cogs.
Sora is 9sp. Heck, Claris is 8sp and thsts sold in shops.
On the mtb side, Alivio is 9sp abd on a ton of new bike shop quality bikes.
I cant imagine a shop claiming they cant get 9sp components when 8sp and 9sp are on their sales floor.
Try again.
As for 1x- its pretty useful for singletrack and downhill.
Downhill- not much pedaling is going on and the increased clearance from having a smaller chainring can only help.
Singletrack- i spend most of my time in the middle or small cog and ride pretty flat forest and river areas. If i were in a hillier spot, i would live in the smaller ring. Not much need for the largr mtb ring, except for when im on a paved path getting to the singletrack. Also, 1x means increased ground clearance.
More cogs in back helps keep the shifting junps tighter.
12-17-17, 02:18 PM
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I’ve been wondering about that too.
Although more along the lines of ”how small increments is a rider likely to benefit noticeably from?”
Once that is known to an acceptable degree, one could create a rule-of-thumb for recommended number of gears based on preferred cadence and speed range.
I could probably commute quite happily on a carefully chosen 1x9/10 for most of the year, but for winter riding I need a wider range.
Although more along the lines of ”how small increments is a rider likely to benefit noticeably from?”
Once that is known to an acceptable degree, one could create a rule-of-thumb for recommended number of gears based on preferred cadence and speed range.
I could probably commute quite happily on a carefully chosen 1x9/10 for most of the year, but for winter riding I need a wider range.
12-17-17, 02:23 PM
#25
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I think the whole thread should just get closed for pointlessness. What exactly is the problem? No one gets forced to buy a specific number of speeds. you can buy single speed bikes and up to 3x10 or whatever the maximum is available. Also spare parts for any but the oddest combination are widely available. To each their own. No need to justify or question someone's decision. The OP still can buy a 1x1, 1x7, 3x7, 3x9, 1x11, 1x12 on many brand new bikes.
OP sounds like 3x12 (of which there is no known to me example of a bike) is being forced upon us. There probably has never been a better time for gear choices than now. You still can get all the old stuff like 3x7, and the new stuff. And if you think 1x3 or 2x5 was so great, I'm sure ebay or CL offer a variety of options as well.
OP sounds like 3x12 (of which there is no known to me example of a bike) is being forced upon us. There probably has never been a better time for gear choices than now. You still can get all the old stuff like 3x7, and the new stuff. And if you think 1x3 or 2x5 was so great, I'm sure ebay or CL offer a variety of options as well.