Granny Gear??

[rebecca_f]

This is going to sound very dumb but I'm not sure how to tell if my Giant Avail has a granny gear which I'm thinking that's a triple crank set? How do you tell?:o

[SadieKate]

For me, a granny gear usually refers to the combo of having your chain on the smallest of three chainrings (yes, this means a triple crankset) AND the largest cog in the back.

You can also say "I used my granny" meaning simply that you were using the smallest of the 3 chainrings.

[Cataboo]

I just call it being in my smallest chain ring up front.

[txred9876]

I like "granny gear"!!!

It sure comes in handy on some of those hills.

tina

[indigoiis]

My husband keeps threatening to take mine off. He sees it as a weakness.
Typical man.
I see it as power. Power is threatening to a man! LOL.

[Cataboo]

I rarely use mine, much to my BF's dismay. I mash my way up things slowly, while he zips along spinning in his granny gear or middle chain ring.

[rebecca_f]

But how can I tell if my bike has it?

[txred9876]

My husband keeps threatening to take mine off. He sees it as a weakness.
Typical man.
I see it as power. Power is threatening to a man! LOL.

I sure don't think its a weakness.... use what the bike has if thats what it takes. That's what its there for!

One of these days I will use it less and less!

Tina

[SadieKate]

But how can I tell if my bike has it?Does your bike have a triple crankset? Do you have three rings on between the cranks arms at your feet?

If so, yes.

[txred9876]

But how can I tell if my bike has it?


I was told the lowest gear on the back (sorry I am still learning the lingo) with the smallest of the three rings in the front was granny gear.

[Eden]

mmmmmm - your "granny gear" is going to mean something different to different people... for some it may just be the smallest on whatever crankset they use. Most people use it to refer to the easiest gears on a triple. For others still (especially those who intend to carry heavy loads up steep hills), they may modify a road bike with a long cage front derailleur to allow a smaller front ring and a mt bike cassette on the back to get their "granny gears".

Pretty much the term just kind of grew out of referring to a gear small enough that your granny wouldn't find it difficult.... its not really a specific gear ratio....

[rebecca_f]

Yeah, I understand now, Thanks. Do most road bikes come with a triple crankset?

[txred9876]

[QUOTE=road bike with a long cage front derailleur to allow a smaller front ring and a mt bike cassette on the back to get their "granny gears".
[/QUOTE]

I was told my bike was setup with a mt bike front (3 rings) with a 9 ring back.

Is it strange to have it setup that way?

I have a cannondale dual assault hybrid

tina

[Thorn]

Is it strange to have it setup that way?


Only if it isn't right for you. If it works and it has the gears you want when you need them, then it is "normal" and every one else's bike is "strange".

Double vs. Triple vs. Compact Double....oh dem's fightin' wurds. Mention that and, egads, the discussion board goes nuts--it is a very cycling relgious issue. I don't know what the distribution of bikes vs. crank configuration is--generally, the racier the bike, the more likely it will have a standard double; the more relaxed and targeted at the weekend rider, the more likely it has a triple.

...my bike comes complete with a great granny gear...that is, when I get off and walk it. It has been a while since I had to succomb to using the great granny, but it is always nice to know she's there and waiting....

[Eden]

No - hybrids are generally heavier bikes and often have lower gearing. A triple on the front isn't particular to mt bikes, many road bikes come that way as well, though the standard triple for a road bike is usually in the area of 32, 42, 50 and mt bikes are more like a 22, 32, 42

ack.... no need to fight... different bikes/gearing for different uses.....

[ny biker]

For me, the granny gear is the easiest gear combination - smallest chain ring and largest cog.

[txred9876]

Only if it isn't right for you. If it works and it has the gears you want when you need them, then it is "normal" and every one else's bike is "strange".

Double vs. Triple vs. Compact Double....oh dem's fightin' wurds. Mention that and, egads, the discussion board goes nuts--it is a very cycling relgious issue. I don't know what the distribution of bikes vs. crank configuration is--generally, the racier the bike, the more likely it will have a standard double; the more relaxed and targeted at the weekend rider, the more likely it has a triple.

...my bike comes complete with a great granny gear...that is, when I get off and walk it. It has been a while since I had to succomb to using the great granny, but it is always nice to know she's there and waiting....

I just got back from having my friend look at my bike. He said I have racing gears on the back and mtb (cant remember what he called it) on the front (it has the three rings).

Tina

[lph]

Only if it isn't right for you. If it works and it has the gears you want when you need them, then it is "normal" and every one else's bike is "strange".

Double vs. Triple vs. Compact Double....oh dem's fightin' wurds. Mention that and, egads, the discussion board goes nuts--it is a very cycling relgious issue. I don't know what the distribution of bikes vs. crank configuration is--generally, the racier the bike, the more likely it will have a standard double; the more relaxed and targeted at the weekend rider, the more likely it has a triple.

...my bike comes complete with a great granny gear...that is, when I get off and walk it. It has been a while since I had to succomb to using the great granny, but it is always nice to know she's there and waiting....

I've never understood this, but then I've never been much part of the cycling "scene" either. In Norway we have some rides and races that go up GREAT BIG HILLS that last for a really LONG TIME, these can be really hard and it seems really tiny gears are very popular - hardly grannylike. We don't have a big roadie contigent at all and for most people a "bike" is a mtb, so grannies are everywhere.

[Thorn]

I've never understood this, but then I've never been much part of the cycling "scene" either. In Norway we have some rides and races that go up GREAT BIG HILLS that last for a really LONG TIME, these can be really hard and it seems really tiny gears are very popular - hardly grannylike. We don't have a big roadie contigent at all and for most people a "bike" is a mtb, so grannies are everywhere.

Yeah, I don't get it either and I guess why I think it is so important to grab your inner self confidence and shout that *your* bike is normal because it works for *you* in *your* terrain, whatever that bike may be. There is no one-true bike. No shame in a granny gear--I kinda like dropping into the granny and spinning up the hill. I see so many more wild flowers on the climb when I can enjoy it.

But, what do I know? I don't race. I just like to get on my bike and ride and ride and ride and ..... (well, until I have to get off of it and go into work so that I can earn enough money to provide it with pretty things like tires and tubes and saddles and a new coat of wax....)

[Kalidurga]

For me, the granny gear is the easiest gear combination - smallest chain ring and largest cog.

That's what I've always understood, too. In which case, every bike with more than one gear has a granny.

[Crankin]

I've always had a triple and make liberal use of my granny gear combinations. Sure, as the season goes on, I use harder and harder gears on some small hills, but I don't see why I should be mashing and struggling just to say I didn't use the granny. Besides, I am old enough to be a granny :eek:.
Indigoiis, you can tell your DH that my DH, who is a very strong rider, has gone from a double, to a compact, to a triple. He could care less what others think. We ride some big hills and the fact that every time we come home, we climb a 10-15% grade had quite a bit to do with him getting a triple on his current bike.

[SadieKate]

That's what I've always understood, too. In which case, every bike with more than one gear has a granny.Huh. I think if I walked into a bike shop (or talked to someone who tours with a load) and referred to a low gear of 39x23 as a granny, they'd either fall down laughing or be struck speechless.

In 25 years of pretty serious bikie-dom, I've never heard anyone call the lowest gear on a double crankset a granny.

Just my experience.

[OakLeaf]

+1. I always heard the term to refer to the smallest chainring in a triple.

I never thought about how sexist AND ageist the term is until recently. Now, I'll say "puppy gear" or "baby chainring" or just "smallest chainring" when I don't feel like being cute.

[SadieKate]

Cliff climber??

[hilldweller]

Huh. I think if I walked into a bike shop (or talked to someone who tours with a load) and referred to a low gear of 39x23 as a granny, they'd either fall down laughing or be struck speechless.

In 25 years of pretty serious bikie-dom, I've never heard anyone call the lowest gear on a double crankset a granny.

Just my experience.
But they do with compacts, which are still nowhere as low as a triple. Or at least the shop I talked to does. My bike has a lowest gear of 34x25 and I'm debating whether I'm going to need some proper granny (or even great-great-granny ;) ) gears.

[Zen]

My husband keeps threatening to take mine off.

Does he kick crutches out from under people too?

[shootingstar]

never thought about how sexist AND ageist the term is until recently. Now, I'll say "puppy gear" or "baby chainring" or just "smallest chainring" when I don't feel like being cute.

I love puppy gear or baby chainring. TE should start a movement to change the language..one word at a time! :D:rolleyes:

Indigio- I hope your hubby one day will adjust to the idea in the future, that he may need the "puppy gear". :p And that he will have no hesitation to tell you when the time comes.

[Grog]

Why not baby ring, since the expression is already out there?

[MomOnBike]

The three rings on my crankset are "Granny," "Crusing" and "YEE HAW." Named, obviously, for the function of each. Feel free to use the terminology.

I kind of understand that some people may think that "Granny" is sexist & ageist, but it puts me in mind of my Granny Hazel who lived in the Colorado mountains and could outwalk most other people on those uphills - including some macho-type men. Thus, it's a compliment, meaning unstoppable, if a tad slow.

I bought my bike for touring, so I need all the help I can get when struggling up steep hills. If that help comes from a female ancester, so much the better.

[rebecca_f]

I have read all the respnoses and people seem to be defending "granny gears" I still class myself as a biginner and I'm still learning all the terminology that people refer to on their bike but did not know it would cause an argument weather granny gears are good,bad sexist or cool!? I was just wondering what an earth a "Granny Gear" was, obviously will not use this term again if it offends people.

But thanks for all the respones I have learnt the term "Granny gear";)

[Thorn]

Welcome to TE, rebecca...where the most benign question can trigger a lengthy thread that may or may not actually get to the heart of the question :rolleyes:

But, I'm with MomOnBike and don't see granny gear as offensive. Not just unstoppable, albeit perhaps a tad slow, but also always there to support you when you need her, just waiting for you to ask.

[greta]

And I love it! Mines not the most expensive, actually the least, but it has enough gears that are for the best ride. I can alway's find a good gear. It's the triple with sora shifters. I'm sure ALL bikes are going to start having triples cuz theyr'e soo much fun.:)

[Kalidurga]

But, I'm with MomOnBike and don't see granny gear as offensive. Not just unstoppable, albeit perhaps a tad slow, but also always there to support you when you need her, just waiting for you to ask.

My 34x25 granny gear's not as supportive as I'd like her to be. I want a new granny who'll not only be more unstoppable on hills, but also bake me some cookies.

[ny biker]

Well I guess I was wrong. I defer to Sheldon Brown:

Granny Gear

Slang term for the smallest chainwheel on a triple crank set.

Note that this term is not a general term for the lowest gear of a bicycle, but specifically refers to just the smallest chainwheel on a crankset with more than two chainwheels.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_g.html

[RolliePollie]

I have read all the respnoses and people seem to be defending "granny gears" I still class myself as a biginner and I'm still learning all the terminology that people refer to on their bike but did not know it would cause an argument weather granny gears are good,bad sexist or cool!? I was just wondering what an earth a "Granny Gear" was, obviously will not use this term again if it offends people.

But thanks for all the respones I have learnt the term "Granny gear";)

It's good you asked the question! I actually like reading everyone's responses and different opinions. I love my triple and I love my granny gear (which I'm defining as my small ring up front and biggest cog in back)...and I use it every time I ride around locally because there are lots of hills. Some people might think I'm a wuss but I don't care. And I like the term granny gear because it makes me think of my grandmother (she didn't ride a bike or anything, but it makes me think of her anyway!).

[hilldweller]

My 34x25 granny gear's not as supportive as I'd like her to be. I want a new granny who'll not only be more unstoppable on hills, but also bake me some cookies.LOL. Sounds like we have the same granny ;) Does that make us cousins or something?:confused::D

[TrekTheKaty]

My DH tried to discourage me from buying a road bike with a triple, but I insisted--not embarassed at all (thought he would crawl under a rock when I refused to even test ride a double at the LBS). Rather have a "granny" gear than walk my bike up a hill. I learned it from a Joe Kurmaskie book--he tours with one. This summer I'm trying to graduate--not use it on hills, and I haven't yet. But it's there like my "blankey", in case I need it.

My BIL didn't realize I had it. Halfway through a century, he was taking a poll of the gears other riders were using--and everyone was in their small chain ring. I said, "I'm in my middle ring." He said, "YOU HAVE THREE. NOT FAIR. I gotta get one of those." Ha ha. Who looks silly NOW ;)