Biking in Colorado--Question and dilemma

[Becky]

Can you temporarily move the compact double to the Cervelo?

[skinimini]

Okay, my two cents Which bike is more fun to ride?

I've ridden GTTS and just got back from mountain biking in CO. First off - my knees need a compact double and I have 34 in the back on my Cervelo S3. Based on published road gradients, it would seem the two roads are very similar and I would take my Cervelo to ride in CO based only on the published gradients. It fits me better, it's lighter and I've ridden up 18% grades on it.

However, elevation does affect everyone differently. I was fine to 10,000 feet on our trip but really struggled to go up another 400 feet. IP is 2,000 feet above that. I certainly wouldn't want to tackle it on my first day.

Are you doing this trip on your own or as part of a tour?

Veronica

The cervelo is much more fun--light, stiff, racy, responsive, but with the effect of harder gearing on the standard double, hill climbing in Atlanta is not quite where it should be. I too have significant knee issues, so it would be wonderful to have a compact with the Cervelo in the mountains. I'll have to check with the LBS to see if switching out could be a possibility. I ride SRAM Red and it's going to be hard to go back to Rival.

This is a WomanTours group, "Ride the Rockies". Independence Pass will be on day 7. I've never ridden 18% anything! Routinely do 10-12% in Atlanta, but we have hills not mountains.