Gears: 30-42-52 up front, and up until today, 11-26 in back. As of today, same triple up front, but 11-32 in back. Haven't ridden the new cassette yet, we'll see. It is pretty hilly & mountainous around here, and I like long rides (and, I am the weakest rider in my group...the others seem to make do with doubles!). I found with the 11-26 I could go long with grades up to 7% or so, but that if I had hills with gradients up in the teens (which we have a lot of if you want to get mileage in), my legs got toasted early in the rides and my recovery would be LONG. I'm hoping to spin up the harder hills more easily and preserve some zip to carry on with the longer rides, and recover from them a little sooner. We'll see. I expect friendly razzing from my friends.
LBS attitudes: I have had various experiences. I have been thrilled with some LBSs -- respect for me, my concerns, and the dollars I'm spending. At 2 others, I have literally walked out after feeling steamrolled and condescended to. I will definitely go out of my way to support local shops that demonstrate they understand excellent customer service, across the board.
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05-06-2006, 05:35 PM #1
It Matters To This One
- Join Date
- Apr 2006
- Posts
- 2,059
"The best rides are the ones where you bite off much more than you can chew, and live through it." ~ Doug Bradbury
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05-06-2006, 05:39 PM #2
awm03
- Join Date
- Apr 2005
- Location
- Connecticut
- Posts
- 29
OK, thanks a lot everybody. I did call the bike shop bike back: nice as pie. They're ordering a new cassette (11/27 -- I can use that 27 here in hilly Connecticut). It was good of you all to post both your front & back numbers. Very illuminating!
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