newbie question re. gearing.

[morsecode]

When a ride says that it requires a minimum gearing of 39/27 to participate, what exactly does that mean?

From what I gather the gearing has something to do with the number of spokes on your gears and ratios, but I'm still confused

Can anyone give me a simple explanation?
It would be greatly appreciated :)

[DebW]

The first number (39) is the number of teeth in the smallest chainring (the smaller the number the lower the gear). The 2nd number is the number of teeth in the largest freewheel cog (the larger the number the lower the gear). Typical double cranksets come with 39-42 teeth in the smaller chainring and 50-54 teeth in the larger one. Triple cranksets would have an additional granny ring of 30-36. Cassettes can come with a smallest cog of 11, 12, or 13, and the largest cog can vary widely, from 20 to 27 or even 32. The gears you need depend on the bike, your fitness, and the terrain. To compare gear ratios, calculate this number:

(#teeth in chainring)/(#teeth in rear cog)*(diameter of wheel)

If wheel diameter is in inches, you'll get numbers from ~30 to ~110. That number, after you multiply by pi, give the number of inches the bike will travel per revolution of the cranks. This lets you compare gear ratios from different bikes with different wheel sizes and different cranksets and clusters.

[mimitabby]

you have to know THAT just go to on the ride???? :confused:

sheesh.
We go on rides with fixed gear riders all the time and they DO NOT slow us down. (Fixed gear bikes don't shift; they are always in the same gear, just like the bike you had as a lttle kid.)
seems like there's a bit of a snob component to that ride!

[kelownagirl]

I am curious about this as well. I have tried counting the teeth but have a hard time. The spec page on the Giant website says my bike has the following:

cassette: SRAM PG-950 12-26T, 9 speed
cranks: TruVativ Elita, 30/42/52T

Does that mean:

My smallest crankset chainring has 30 teeth?
My largest cog has 26 teeth?

So it would be 30/26?

Would I have the minimum gearing to ride in Morsecode's ride?

As for the diameter of the wheel, is that what the number "700" refers to?

Hope you don't mind my jumping in with additional related questions MC... :)

barb

[morsecode]

Well, it's a ride that focuses on climbing, so maybe that's why?
http://www.highlandercycletour.com/

We've been done a charity ride the past two years (the Ride for Roswell) and I know they don't have any minimum gearing requirements

We were thinking about doing the "Wanderer" ride, which is the easiest one (30 miles with 2 moderate climbs) and actually requires a slightly lower minimum gearing (39/25)

I showed this thread to my hubby and apparently he gets it (it's still all Greek to me :blush: ) so he's going to figuring out our gearing later.

[morsecode]

CRANKSET: Shimano MC08 42/32/22
CASSETTE: SRAM 850 11-32, 8 speed
this is my bike: http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/mountain/4500.jsp
ETA: try this link instead http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike.php?bikeid=1022603&f=19

My first number would be 22? That means I definitely can't ride?
I'm so confused :confused:

[Trek420]

I've never heard of this :confused:

I've seen organised rides/tours where it's reccomended you have a road bike with a "granny gear". But never specific gearing.

Unless it's a race I don't think they can tell you what to ride.

On group rides it's common for the pace to be listed, distance, avg mph, difficulty/terrain. If you can keep pace with the group who cares what you ride.

People complete centuries on mountain bikes, recumbents, "comfort bikes"...ride what you like. This sounds kinda exclusive to me.

[mimitabby]

yeah, even on our hilly rides here you can see fixed geared bikes and other strange conveyances..
How many speeds on your bike? if it's a 21 speed you can do the wanderer. I looked. That one hill, maybe you might have to walk a little? and maybe not!
I just compared it to the 70 mile ride we did a few weeks ago. I think you'll be just fine and you probably WON'T have to walk.. and if you do, so what?
mimi

[morsecode]

How many speeds on your bike?
24
Hubby's convinced we'll be fine, but I am a worrywart. I don't want to get there and then not be allowed to ride :rolleyes:

[maillotpois]

I have never seen a ride actually require a certain gear ratio - that is really odd, and I don't expect them to go around checking cassettes before they let you go. They typically just want people to be prepared and get as many to finish as they can.

That being said, it appears you have a mountain bike? It looks like you've got a 22 in front? I can only imagine that's a MTB, though I could not get the link to open. A 22 is WAY small, and well within the "requirement" for the ride, so you should be fine.

The smaller your front ring is and the larger your rear cassette cog is the "easier" gears you have, generally. Your 22 in front is smaller than the requirement, and you have a big juicy 32 in rear, so you're fine.

However, if this is a mountain bike, and you are doing the road century, I recommend putting slick tires on your bike for rolling resistance, quiet and comfort.

[DebW]

Your lowest gear is way lower than the requirement for that ride. You have a 19 inch low gear, and they are requiring a 39 inch low gear, so you quality (if they are really going to be snobbish enough to check). But if you have a mountain bike that weighs more than a road bike, you may need lower gears than they mention. Or maybe you are such a good hill climber that you don't need anything that low.

[morsecode]

I have never seen a ride actually require a certain gear ratio - that is really odd, and I don't expect them to go around checking cassettes before they let you go. They typically just want people to be prepared and get as many to finish as they can.

That being said, it appears you have a mountain bike? It looks like you've got a 22 in front? I can only imagine that's a MTB, though I could not get the link to open. A 22 is WAY small, and well within the "requirement" for the ride, so you should be fine.

The smaller your front ring is and the larger your rear cassette cog is the "easier" gears you have, generally. Your 22 in front is smaller than the requirement, and you have a big juicy 32 in rear, so you're fine.

However, if this is a mountain bike, and you are doing the road century, I recommend putting slick tires on your bike for rolling resistance, quiet and comfort.
Yeah, I have a mountain bike. So strange that that link went bad on me... it was to the exact version I have.
Anyway, here's this year's model of my bike: http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike.php?bikeid=1022603&f=19
Mine is 2 years old, but I don't think there have been any drastic changes

[morsecode]

Your lowest gear is way lower than the requirement for that ride. You have a 19 inch low gear, and they are requiring a 39 inch low gear, so you quality (if they are really going to be snobbish enough to check). But if you have a mountain bike that weighs more than a road bike, you may need lower gears than they mention. Or maybe you are such a good hill climber that you don't need anything that low.
I wish :D
If we do this, we'll definitely do the easiest ride

I'm so glad you guys are here b/c I'm still completely confused :rolleyes:
but then again, I'm a real newbie.
I got my bike 2 years ago, but we've been really lackadaisical about riding. Each season riding enough to be able to survive whichever route we decide to take on the Ride for Roswell (the big fundraising ride in these parts) and then petering out. This year I really want to change that and start riding regularly and get into shape properly.

Thanks so much for your help, everyone!

[Kano]

However, if this is a mountain bike, and you are doing the road century, I recommend putting slick tires on your bike for rolling resistance, quiet and comfort.


I know we're talking about gears, but: is this why when DH comes cruising up behind me on the road, I think I'm hearing a car??????

And another question, maillotpois -- maillot=shirt, pois?????

Karen in Boise

[madisongrrl]

People complete centuries on mountain bikes, recumbents, "comfort bikes"...ride what you like. This sounds kinda exclusive to me.

I don't think it is the Race Director's intention to be exclusive.... (I've seen this before on hilly century rides.) I think that the RD is trying to emphasize that the course very difficult (hilly) and that people won't be able to complete the ride with any "harder" gearing than 54/39 front and 12/27 rear. Mountain bikes and comfort bikes generally have an "easier" gearing ratio than 54/39-12/27, so it would be much more reasonable to climb massive hills on them.


I'm a relatively strong rider/racer. My road bike has a double up front (54/39) and a 12/27 in back. I've been on some pretty hilly rides and I've had to grind up some super steep hills in my 39-27 gear (easiest). Could I do that for 100 miles and 11,000 vertical feet? Probably not with that gearing ratio.

[madisongrrl]

Well, it's a ride that focuses on climbing, so maybe that's why?
http://www.highlandercycletour.com/

We've been done a charity ride the past two years (the Ride for Roswell) and I know they don't have any minimum gearing requirements

We were thinking about doing the "Wanderer" ride, which is the easiest one (30 miles with 2 moderate climbs) and actually requires a slightly lower minimum gearing (39/25)

I showed this thread to my hubby and apparently he gets it (it's still all Greek to me :blush: ) so he's going to figuring out our gearing later.


39/25 minimum gearing is really high. You will be fine with the gearing on your bike. I would guess there are probably very few (or maybe zero) TE women who would have 39/25 as the lowest gearing on their road bike.

Looks like a really neat ride. It should be a fun time!

[Jenerator]

And another question, maillotpois -- maillot=shirt, pois?????

maillot pois = polka dot jersey, for the best mountain rider. For instance, Michael Rasmussen, who really earned/defended the jersey in the 16th stage of the 2006 Tour. Probably without gearing as low as 39/27 either.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2006/tour06/tour0620/JD_06TDFstg20003.jpg

photo from cyclingnews.com

[DebW]

I would guess there are probably very few (or maybe zero) TE women who would have 39/25 as the lowest gearing on their road bike.


There is at least one. I have 42/52 front and 13/24 rear. But I live in southern New England where there are hills but no mountains. I wouldn't try riding in California on these gears. However, I do like hills and tend to seek them out on my rides. I can do steep hills, but they are always less than 1/2 mile long. And BTW, my 24 rear cog is almost never used after my first month of spring riding. And my climbing cadence is generally near or above 70, cadence on the flats around 90. I use a 6 speed freewheel, and my 1970 Campy derailleur can't handle anything bigger than 24 (23 would be better for it and that's what I've usually had til the latest freewheel swap when I couldn't find one).

[maillotpois]

I know we're talking about gears, but: is this why when DH comes cruising up behind me on the road, I think I'm hearing a car??????

And another question, maillotpois -- maillot=shirt, pois?????

Karen in Boise


If DH has a MTB, yes! If you're going to ride your MTB on the road you and others around you will be happier if you've got slicks!

And the question about the maillot a pois was basically answered - but "pois" means "peas" or "dots" and I have been using this handle since I fell in love with Laurent Jalabert in 2001. And there's some irony to it for me because I do lots of climbing rides (The Death Ride, Mt. Tam Double, etc.) but am not the fastest climber in the world!

[Kano]

If DH has a MTB, yes! If you're going to ride your MTB on the road you and others around you will be happier if you've got slicks!

And the question about the maillot a pois was basically answered - but "pois" means "peas" or "dots" and I have been using this handle since I fell in love with Laurent Jalabert in 2001. And there's some irony to it for me because I do lots of climbing rides (The Death Ride, Mt. Tam Double, etc.) but am not the fastest climber in the world!


Peas, huh? I bet you're a faster climber than ME!

Now, those tires -- help me sell DH on this slicks thing. It didn't work when the cop across the street told him we should have slicks, and he keeps hollering NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooo when I tell him I need them -- you WILL like mountain biking, he says -- so how do I sell HIM on having them, because if he does, then I can have them too.

I don't know WHY I don't just go get my danged tires and the heck with what he says....

Karen in Boise

[MomOnBike]

You know, it's possible to have two sets of tires, and switch them out depending on where you are riding that day.

This closely resembles work, however. :p It's easier to just have multiple bikes...:rolleyes:

And yes, it is YOUR bike. Ride the tires that make you happier/faster/whatever. Your DH can ride his choice. Once my DH & I realized we don't have to be identical, life became easier.

[DebW]

You know, it's possible to have two sets of tires, and switch them out depending on where you are riding that day.

This closely resembles work, however. :p It's easier to just have multiple bikes...:rolleyes:


You could have 2 sets of wheels. Swapping them hardly resembles work. And it's far cheaper than having 2 bikes, but still $$$.

[madisongrrl]

You could have 2 sets of wheels. Swapping them hardly resembles work. And it's far cheaper than having 2 bikes, but still $$$.

I have two wheels sets for one of my mountain bikes, but it is annonying because I have to readjust my brakes every time I switch them (different sets of rims). I'd recommend getting the same wheel set if you have two different sets of tires.

[bcipam]

It's funny to me that the Ride posts a mini. gearing ratio needed of 39/25 or 27 since most bikes, if they have a double, will have 39/25 or 27 (and yes I know they could also have 23 or 21). A triple chainring system will have not only the 39 as the middle ring, but a 30 or smaller (as the small ring) as well. If you have a triple and a rear cassette of 25 or 27 (the number of teeth on the largest cassette in back) then that's fairly low granny gear.

So I wonder, - will the ride directors check and see if someone shows up with a 39/23 and if so, will that person be tossed out? Ride here in California usually just post the gradient and then it's up to the rider to decide if they are able to climb it. I know in some states, say Texas, when riding around in
the country, you can run across some short but very steep little hills like with a 30% gradient. Without a granny, I would have to walk the hill.

[maillotpois]

Peas, huh? I bet you're a faster climber than ME!

Now, those tires -- help me sell DH on this slicks thing. It didn't work when the cop across the street told him we should have slicks, and he keeps hollering NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooo when I tell him I need them -- you WILL like mountain biking, he says -- so how do I sell HIM on having them, because if he does, then I can have them too.

I don't know WHY I don't just go get my danged tires and the heck with what he says....

Karen in Boise


He will go a LOT faster if he has slick tires. Does that help???

If he does ride on dirt, he won't want slicks, though. The idea of having 2 sets of tires is good, but boy what a pain that would be every time you wanted to do a different ride. Are you riding your MTB only on the road?? If so, then you really should switch out the tires. Best thing - switch them out and then ride with him and he can see how much easier it is for you to ride!! You may need to be the trend setter here.

[Pedal Wench]

It's not required gearing - it's recommended! The ride says, "Minimum RECOMMENDED gearing is 39/27 OR WIMPIER".

I think they're just using that to give folks an idea of how steep the climbing is (looking at the pictures, it looks pretty tough!),with a bit of tongue in cheek humor. And, to head off the hundreds of 'what gearing should I use' emails the ride directors usually get!

You'll be fine!

[morsecode]

It's not required gearing - it's recommended! The ride says, "Minimum RECOMMENDED gearing is 39/27 OR WIMPIER".

I think they're just using that to give folks an idea of how steep the climbing is (looking at the pictures, it looks pretty tough!),with a bit of tongue in cheek humor. And, to head off the hundreds of 'what gearing should I use' emails the ride directors usually get!

You'll be fine!
Yeah, it might have been good if I had managed to navigate to the registration page. :rolleyes:
I just saw this note "Minimum gearing 39/27 (Highlander, Lowlander, Midlander), 39/25 (Wanderer)" at the bottom of the schedule page and got all worried *blushing*

Thanks for your help!

[KSH]

I read some of the replies... dang... if I had to count something on my bike before I could determine if I could join the ride or not... I would never leave the house! :eek:

Way too complicated for me!

I like the "this ride averages xx pace" group rides!

:D

[Kano]

He will go a LOT faster if he has slick tires. Does that help???

If he does ride on dirt, he won't want slicks, though. The idea of having 2 sets of tires is good, but boy what a pain that would be every time you wanted to do a different ride. Are you riding your MTB only on the road?? If so, then you really should switch out the tires. Best thing - switch them out and then ride with him and he can see how much easier it is for you to ride!! You may need to be the trend setter here.

The more I listen to him as we're riding, I think his objection to me putting slicks on my bike (or getting a roadie) is that he doesn't want ME to go faster!

He likes the idea of dirt riding, and claims to be "putting up with" riding on the roads until I get strong enough to ride on dirt and like it. I'm pretty sure it ain't gonna happen! Hmmmm, let's see. Tomorrow's booked, Wednesday, hopefully I can get out for part of the day -- or Thursday's my next opportunity to go off and get into more bike shop mischief!

Can't believe how "timid" I've been about this upgrade -- I did my gloves, shoes, and seat all on my own, no checking with him, no waiting for him to come along to the shop.... Hands hurt, get gloves, feet hurt, get shoes, butt hurts, get seat -- you'd think I could just dive right in on these tires!

Yup, I think I'm done waiting on his okay -- I'll just get out the old trek bike for the dirt if I HAVE to....

Karen in Boise

[bcipam]

Yeah, it might have been good if I had managed to navigate to the registration page. :rolleyes:
I just saw this note "Minimum gearing 39/27 (Highlander, Lowlander, Midlander), 39/25 (Wanderer)" at the bottom of the schedule page and got all worried *blushing*

Thanks for your help!

Does the ride (either in its flyers or website) mention the elevation gain or steepness of some of the grades? I'm just curious.

[morsecode]

Does the ride (either in its flyers or website) mention the elevation gain or steepness of some of the grades? I'm just curious.
each of the rides has an elevation profile
I can't stick in a direct like b/c of the javascript

but if you go to any of the ride pages (for example: http://www.highlandercycletour.com/wanderer.htm ), there's a link to the profile from the first bullet