Granny Gear??

[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??

[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!

Indigio- I hope your hubby one day will adjust to the idea in the future, that he may need the "puppy gear". 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

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.

[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]

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.