When the lowest gear isn't low enough

[Grog]

Hey chaps
I've just counted the number the teeth I have 11-23.

What does that mean then?

I'll try a different way to explain this, bear with me:

Every time your back wheel rotates, you go forward about 2 meters or 6.5 feet.

When you are in the 11-tooth cog, the effort is divided by 11. So for every cog you go forward 7.5 inches or so.

If you are on the 23-tooth cog, the effort is divided by 23. So for every cog you go forward 3.5 inches or so.

Think of it as lifting weights: I can't lift 100 lbs. But I can lift a 10 lbs weight ten times.

Just the same way, if I'm going up a hill, I have a hard time moving forward 7.5 inch at a time in my 11-tooth cog. So I switch to an easier gear with more teeth (so a bigger cog) and I go forward, say, 4 inches at a time.

But if the hill is really steep, maybe 4 inch at a time is still too much. Maybe 3 inch at a time would be better. So I would need to have a 28-tooth cog at the back to be able to do that.

As someone else mentioned, you can get a cassette (a set of cogs) with more bigger cogs at the back. That will give you an easier time on steep hills. Think again of lifting weights: what you have currently is like the weights of a weightlifter (bike racer): lots of 20-25 lbs weights. If you're merely human like most of us you will probably appreciate 5-8-10 lbs weights. You'll find those on a 12-28.

[To understand this fully, you would have to take into account the chainring at the front. The chainring multiplies your effort at the back. But you just asked about 11-23 so I'll leave it at that.]

[Becky]

Great explanation, Grog! I've never truly understood gearing and found it really helpful

[shellkay1212]

Grog,

Thanks for the explanation! I GET IT!!! After two years of totally not getting it - amazing! THANK YOU!

[wackyjacky1]

+1 on props to Grog. Ah ha!

[marfa]

hey Grog

Just wanted to say what a fantastic explanation- especially the weight lifting part, totally get it now why I was struggling!

Thanks again this forum rocks!

[Tuckervill]

When you are in the 11-tooth cog, the effort is divided by 11. So for every cog you go forward 7.5 inches or so.

I'm really dense sometimes, so I need to clarify this at least for my own self.

I think you meant to say, "So for every TOOTH you go forward 7.5 inches or so."?

I can see that everyone, including me, understood what you meant, but I can't leave it, especially since this thread will be here for perpetuity. If I'm wrong, then I'm really confused!

Karen

[tribogota]

I'll try a different way to explain this, bear with me:


[To understand this fully, you would have to take into account the chainring at the front. The chainring multiplies your effort at the back. But you just asked about 11-23 so I'll leave it at that.]

YOU ARE AN ANGEL, that was totally exciting to learn AND understand, could now also please explain the chainring, I didn't know I wanted to know, but now I DO!

[sundial]

Gave this thread some more thought today.....

I think part of my hill climbing problem is that I'm seated too much and spin, raising my heart rate to ridiculous levels and building up lactic acid faster. It's not that I can't climb out of the saddle, it's that I want to preserve my legs for as long as I can on multiple hills.

I've not done a spinning class but I can tell you I learned to climb better by riding my mtb. I believe mtb'ers as a rule have a smoother pedaling action than roadies.

I'm gonna test my theory the next time I do crazy hills.

[Grog]

YOU ARE AN ANGEL, that was totally exciting to learn AND understand, could now also please explain the chainring, I didn't know I wanted to know, but now I DO!

Glad it was helpful!

I think Pinkbikes came up with a decent explanation of the chainring effect (see above in the thread). I can't think of anything better at the moment but I'll think about it.

[sbarron01]

I started bike commuting almost 1 year ago. On this one particular hill, the first "many" months of riding it, I was looking directly at the sidewalk and could actually watch an ant walk across in front of me. Yeah, I was really slow! But, so what, I made it up the hill...and, now, a year later, it's no big deal going up that hill. I knew that eventually I would get stronger...and I did. : )
About 20 years ago, I did Bike Virginia, the year they had the hardest ride ever. It was a miserable experience. I walked my bike up a hill. And swore I would never, ever do that again. Slow riding is so much better than walking.

[Kelly728]

I'll have to re-read those explanations when my brain is not so jam packed. I think it is sort of starting to make sense though! I will admit to walking a few hills during my last ride pre-injury. They were just too much for my legs!

[crazycanuck]

to the OP..I was searching for some hill stuff today on my way down to freo & want to suggest a few places..

Instead of riding all of Curtin Ave, cross at the Grant Street ped crossing (turn immediately left up to the first roundabout & keep following the road) and there are nice hills there to play on.

If you're near Point Walter, do Carrol road (instead of veering left when you're along the strand?) & all the hills near it.

Don't just do them once, go up & down as many times as possible. Play with your gears, get out of the saddle, stay in the saddle, etc.