Question about gears and hills

[spokewench]

Alpine You have better eyes that I have - I can't see the 3 rings in front!

Do you have to rub it in that i'm getting old?

[Jiffer]

1950 feet is not a lot of climbing at all, especially for a ride that long. It's hard to find just a century, even, with that little bit of climbing. At least around So. Cal. Believe me, I've tried! I did over 3200 feet of combined climbing just this weekend during two rides lasting 30 and 40 miles each. My husband did more cause he loves to climb

You should get a bike computer. Something that tells you grade and elevation, so you can get a feel for how much 1900 feet of climbing is. There are many to choose from, but Garmin is a popular one. That's what my husband and I use and several of our friends. But you could probably find a less expensive one. I'd ask around here what people use and like to make sure you don't end up with something you're not happy with. There are several things you can gauge with a bike computer. Speed, average over all speed, distance, time, cadence, grade, total distance ascended and descended, etc. Some may not have grade and elevation, so make sure you get that if you want it.

My husband added a bigger gear on my bike, so I can climb a little easier than I used to. I'm so slow on hills I need all the help I can get! But I'm getting stronger and need that biggest gear less and less.

My friend is doing STP, by the way, and tried to suck my husband and I in. We decided against it for various reasons, but may do it in the future.

Good luck!

[ttaylor508]

Looks like a triple to me too which means you have granny gears perfect for climbing. There really isn't any big hills on the STP. Most of the hill are just rollers and as long as you get out and ride you should not have any problem. If you are new to riding, you will want to learn how to shift properly in anticipation for the hills ie. shift down before you need to rather than under power when you start climbing which could cause you to drop the chain.

[alpinerabbit]

Looks like it's true:

* Total distance (miles) 202.25
* Uphill distance (miles) 30.87
* Uphill altitude (feet) 1,951
* Maximum altitude (feet) 463
http://www.cascade.org/EandR/stp/STP_Details.cfm

You better start training :-) - upping your distance.

What do you ride in? Centuries don't go well with sneakers, and maybe, just maybe you could try going clippless. Think double the muscle at your disposal.
Also, I like the adjustable-angle stem but I don't quite like the slightly downward-tilting saddle (although you might be fine with that....)

[Eden]

Yeah - STP is pretty flat as far as centuries go. One or two longer climbs (the "big hill" is 1 mile long and about 7% - a little over 300 feet of elevation gain). There's very, very little in the way of steep climbing.

As far as the bike goes - sounds like the mechanic was a bit full of it... in any case unless he knows you and your riding style intimately he hasn't anything to judge you on as far as the gearing you personally will need for hill climbing... Sounds like he looked, saw a woman, and decided you needed even lower gearing than you already have... I'm guessing a bit, but your bike probably has Tiagra on it, and could possibly have a 12-23 tooth rear. That's not super low, but with a triple on the front, you still have several easier gears than you'd have on a standard double running a 12-27. If you find you do need or want some easier gears it's possible to go down to a 26 with a SRAM road cassette, lower with a mt cassette - but that could require a different derailleur.

[aicabsolut]

Alpine You have better eyes that I have - I can't see the 3 rings in front!

Do you have to rub it in that i'm getting old?

You've gotta look at that nice long cage rear derailleur.

I don't see how this bike wouldn't have enough gears for that ride. I think your mechanic was teasing you...or an idiot. I dunno, is it heavy?

I second the suggestion that for long rides, you should consider going clipless.