Double Chain Ring...yikes

[violette]

Sorry, I don't know was a compact and cluster is???

[aicabsolut]

Sorry, I don't know was a compact and cluster is???

How many teeth on the chain rings? 53/39, 52/39, 52/38, 50/36, 50/34, etc.

Size (range) of cassette? 12-27, 12-25, 12-23, 11-23, etc.

[motochick]

OK, I just checked out the link you gave in another topic, and if your bike has the same set up as the one in the picture, then no wonder you are struggling on the hills! I would never want to go uphill with that gear combo. If you do have a 53/39 in front and a 12-25 in the rear, your easiest gear is 40 gear inches! To give you an idea how high that is, my hubby's easiest gear is 35 gear inches. (and he is a strong boy) My easiest gear is 32. The lower the number the easier it is to pedal uphill.

There are some things you can do to make life easier but we need to know exactly what you have so we can point you in the right direction. Look at your smallest front ring and see if it is stamped with a number. If not, count the teeth. Next, look at the BIGGEST one in the back and count the teeth. Tell me what you got and we can help you. No one (but pros) should be climbing in a 39-25. OUCH

Brenda

[Andrea]

Just to defend the 39/53 a little...

It's totally possible to do some climbing with a 39/25. You just have to train for it. If you're willing to put up with some very tough "damn this" sort of moments, Then you will eventually get stronger and not have nearly as much of a problem.

Now back to your regularly scheduled "low gear" discussion...

[sundial]

I have a double and I have found hill climbing became easier. I don't know what kind of hills you have, but I have climbed 12-18% grade short hills with my Roubaix. If I were in the Smokey Mountains or Ashville, NC, I might want a triple to visit granny.

[Chile Pepper]

No one (but pros) should be climbing in a 39-25. OUCH

I beg to differ. I'm riding a classic steel with the original 52/42 chainrings and a 13/26 cassette. My lowest gear is 43.6 inches. I tried to change out the smaller chainring to a 39, but it didn't work (it rubbed)--and I have no intention of changing out the whole gearing system (or buying a new bike any time soon). I live in Chile, so nothing is flat, and we have a lot of very steep sections. Sure, it gets tough, but I haven't fallen over yet! As my husband likes to point out, if he did the Death Ride twice on 52 / 42 gearing, then I should be able to handle my regular climbs. It works for me (although the triple I rented in California last year sure was fun).