Advice on gearing for BIG climbs

[dougc]

I have heroically (read: foolishly) and optimistically signed up to ride the Route des Grande Alpes over 7 day in September this year.

I’ve got a training plan and a number of events already planned in for the next few months but I’m after some advice or words of experience on gearing.

I’m riding a Spec Allez Elite. Not made any changes over standard so it’s a 50/34 chainring with a 9-speed 12-25 cassette. All Tiagra.

Whilst I’ve not had any real problems pottering about London and the home-counties, I’m worried that its going to try and kill me to death on something like the Galibier.

I think I probably need to gear up (down?) a bit but how far to go?

Any words of wisdom? Advice you can impart? Experiences? Recommendations?

[The Stiglet]

dougc said:

I have heroically (read: foolishly) and optimistically signed up to ride the Route des Grande Alpes over 7 day in September this year.

I’ve got a training plan and a number of events already planned in for the next few months but I’m after some advice or words of experience on gearing.

I’m riding a Spec Allez Elite. Not made any changes over standard so it’s a 50/34 chainring with a 9-speed 12-25 cassette. All Tiagra.

Whilst I’ve not had any real problems pottering about London and the home-counties, I’m worried that its going to try and kill me to death on something like the Galibier.

I think I probably need to gear up (down?) a bit but how far to go?

Any words of wisdom? Advice you can impart? Experiences? Recommendations?

I'm also cycling in the Alps this summer for a week and had a similar dilemma. At the moment my bike has a 53x39 double chain set with a 12-28 10-speed cassette on the back but I've asked the bike shop to fit a compact 50x34 like yours. The range on my existing cassette should be fine and you don't need to replace the chain.

You might like to change your existing cassette but your compact should be fine especially with the months of training ahead of you.

[itsnotarace]

This may be of interestas it allows a 12-36. 34-36 should get you up vertical walls !!!

http://www.fudgescyclestore.com/index.php?p=11563

I have driven the RdeGA and am sure you will have a fab time, the scenery is something else

Edited by itsnotarace on Friday 17th February 10:49

[anonymous-user]

itsnotarace said:

This may be of interestas it allows a 12-36. 34-36 should get you up vertical walls !!!

http://www.fudgescyclestore.com/index.php?p=11563

I have driven the RdeGA and am sure you will have a fab time, the scenery is something else

Edited by itsnotarace on Friday 17th February 10:49

pretty sure you would need a SRAM shifter too though, i didnt think shimano shifters were compatible with sram rear mechs?

a regular shimano 12-28 cassettte will do the trick.
34/28 is 1.21 which is good climbing ratio and should keep you spinning. thetrick will be to find some suitable hills to train on and stay in the saddle for as long as possible

[louiebaby]

swerni Has something funky on his, so he has a really light final ratio to help him get up anything. Give him a shout and see what he's doing. I can't remember exactly. He's quite old now, so you will have to [b]SHOUT[/].

Personally, I'd get a new chain and rear cogs a couple of weeks before, along with a good service. In doing so, get the set with the biggest big number, ideally with the lowest low number you can. It should see you right, with some sensible training.

That's my plan for LEJoG in April, anyway.

[The Stiglet]

Just found this article for you http://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/blog/2011/05/c...

Quite informative.

[paulrockliffe]

Personally I would run a triple up front and a 11 - 28 at the back.

You might not need all the gears, but it's much nicer climbing in the middle of the block with 3 or 4 extra gears in case you need them. You'll also find it difficult to train for the length of the hills in the UK, so you might find you come unstuck because you're not used to standing and climbing for so long at a time. A triple will mean that you can sit and spin the whole way up and will give you the option to sit and stand as you need.

If you have any really tough days where your legs are just blasted from the previous days riding, you will be very glad of the triple!

[itsnotarace]

pablo said:

pretty sure you would need a SRAM shifter too though, i didnt think shimano shifters were compatible with sram rear mechs?

Yes it will work, cable pull ratio is the same

Edit, no sorry, you are correct, only the front mech will work.

[The Stiglet]

Triples and mega sprockets - remember that the OP will be very fit by then, not an intermediate cyclist that wants to climb an Alp.

Can't see him needing anything else apart from a new cassette.

[louiebaby]

The Stiglet said:

Just found this article for you http://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/blog/2011/05/c...

Quite informative.

Good article.

[okgo]

Compact with a 27/28 will get you up anything assuming you have done some bike riding beforehand.

Bearing in mind a lot of the alps aren't crazy steep just LONG. I don't feel like I run out of gears climbing a 25% hill on our route with an 11-25 and compact, but its only about half a mile.

[louiebaby]

swerni said:

You rang

Are you in town on Thu night next week?

[Janosh]

To make it even easier, when riding in the Alps there are only 2 choices: compact or triple! You can't go too far wrong with either.

I live in Chamonix and have decided to go with a compact and 12-28 cassette for most rides, as the extra weight & complexity of a triple just didn't seem worthwhile.

[MadDad]

Given all of the sensible advice on this thread I feel someone needs to mention RULE 5

[snowdude2910]

Spinning classes might be worth a pop for extra training I've been doing a couple a week over the winter and on the very few occasions I've cracked out the bike I've found they've improved my endurance whilst standing massively. I think how usefull they are varies depending on the instructor the classes I do involve a lot of resistance and long (well 10minutes+) of standing but I'm getting to the stage now where I can stand for prety much as long as it takes without feeling the need to sit down which I don't think I'd have achieved without the pier pressure a class provides.

[louiebaby]

swerni said:

Is that the one about tan lines?;)

No. I'll give you a shout next time I get a chance.

[RRS_Staffs]

I have pottered in the mountains with a 50/34 set up against a 12-25 cassette and found it fine for one or 2 cols at a time

However I did 3 in one go last summer (or 2 1/2 if your pedantic) and when I got to Alpe d'Huez after just under 100km was bloody glad Id switched to a 28t cog at the back even if I barely used it

Cheers

[skodamanpat]

I'm doing the RdA in July with Ventoux and one or two others thrown in for good measure. Will be riding fully loaded this time (32+kg bike+luggage) so using a triple with a 26 x 34 low gear. If its just you and your water bottles the 34 x 28 or even 34 x 26 should be fine if you build up your stamina before going.