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Very Hot Topic (More than 25 Replies) First ride on a SS (Read 5509 times)
kawsakimx6
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First ride on a SS
05/02/14 at 8:33pm
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What gear should i ride at lets say sherman?  I want to say a 29 (front) 42 (rear) as i would like to not have to walk up any hills.

But what is realistic?  i have a 32 front ring.  should i go 20, or you think that would be too big?
  
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Enoch
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Re: First ride on a SS
Reply #1 - 05/02/14 at 8:35pm
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32/18
  
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Re: First ride on a SS
Reply #2 - 05/02/14 at 10:12pm
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Enoch wrote on 05/02/14 at 8:35pm:
32/18


I agree with Jerry. Another option is something like a 34x20, which is what I usually run (along with a 32x20).
  
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Re: First ride on a SS
Reply #3 - 05/02/14 at 11:36pm
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Yep.

  
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Re: First ride on a SS
Reply #4 - 05/03/14 at 12:27am
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32x18
  
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Re: First ride on a SS
Reply #5 - 05/03/14 at 1:06am
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32x18 here.
  
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Re: First ride on a SS
Reply #6 - 05/03/14 at 1:15am
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I just started riding SS this year so I'm a little familiar.  Sherman is definitely the easiest.  A good starting gear would be 32x18 as most are saying.  32x18 is fine for everything else too, but WWC and RRT are a bit tougher.  You may want to start with 32x19 for the first few weeks and progress to 32x18.  32x19 at Sherman is a pretty light gear though so if you only ride there, definitely start with 32x18.
  
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kawsakimx6
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Re: First ride on a SS
Reply #7 - 05/03/14 at 2:02am
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Anyone got a 18 or 19 I could borrow to see if I like it?
  
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Re: First ride on a SS
Reply #8 - 05/03/14 at 12:51pm
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I'm going a little different then most. I have never ridden with ya so I don't know how ya ride. First do you like to sit and spin high cadence (90) on geared bike or do you like to grind a lower cadence(70).  Also what's your average speed at Sherman on a geared bike(9, 10,11) If it's on the lower end and, or you like to sit and spin go 32x20. if you like to stand and mash or speed average is above 11 go 32x18. I see no point in hurting knees or back by starting on to hard of a gear. It will take some time to adjust to what ever gear you choose but I see way to many people trying to slug up a hill and then complain their knees hurt the next day. Start with the 32x20 since it's what ya have already and give it a week or so then try a 18 or 19.
  
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Re: First ride on a SS
Reply #9 - 05/03/14 at 9:26pm
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I like madss' answer. Run what ya brung. You'll have fun no matter what. Do I normally ride local trails on a 32x18, yeah. But the other day I rode it 32x20 (had it on from riding DuPont and Pisgah during the trailblazer camping trip - good times) and I still had fun. So ride what you have and get used to ss before feeling like you have to ride a certain gear. Let your ability and legs dictate that for you.
  
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Re: First ride on a SS
Reply #10 - 05/04/14 at 2:24am
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Like the two answers above. Run what ya brung and see what you like. If it feels like youre spinning out and want to mash a little more, drop down a tooth or two in the back. I ran 32x18 pretty much everywhere for everything around Charlotte and the same once I moved up here to Durham. It was the good in-between ratio for me that fit my riding style at most trails in both areas.
  
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kawsakimx6
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Re: First ride on a SS
Reply #11 - 05/04/14 at 2:46am
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This is all real good info. Thanks guys. I guess a may try a 19and go from there. Sucks endless cogs are so expensive or I'd already have a few.
  
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Re: First ride on a SS
Reply #12 - 05/04/14 at 11:40am
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32x19 if your riding byt
  
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Re: First ride on a SS
Reply #13 - 05/04/14 at 4:30pm
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Enoch wrote on 05/02/14 at 8:35pm:
32/18


Don't you have to factor in Wheel Size 26" v 29," won't this make a differance?
A 26" Wheel on 32/18 = 46.2 " travel compared to a 29 giving 51.6 " travel.
Other factors can effecting the choice would be Crank Arm length 170mm v 180
for leverage considerations. In other words, how hard you need to pedal on the 
hills compared to how fast you can spin on the flat.
  
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Re: First ride on a SS
Reply #14 - 05/04/14 at 5:16pm
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mtbkpete wrote on 05/04/14 at 4:30pm:


Don't you have to factor in Wheel Size 26" v 29," won't this make a differance?
A 26" Wheel on 32/18 = 46.2 " travel compared to a 29 giving 51.6 " travel.
Other factors can effecting the choice would be Crank Arm length 170mm v 180
for leverage considerations. In other words, how hard you need to pedal on the 
hills compared to how fast you can spin on the flat.


lol 26 is 4 nerds
  
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sager
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Re: First ride on a SS
Reply #15 - 05/04/14 at 10:58pm
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mtbkpete wrote on 05/04/14 at 4:30pm:


Don't you have to factor in Wheel Size 26" v 29," won't this make a differance?
A 26" Wheel on 32/18 = 46.2 " travel compared to a 29 giving 51.6 " travel.
Other factors can effecting the choice would be Crank Arm length 170mm v 180
for leverage considerations. In other words, how hard you need to pedal on the 
hills compared to how fast you can spin on the flat.

Yes. I'm sure everyone assumed this was a 29er

If you are on a 26er, you need a taller gear.
  
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Re: First ride on a SS
Reply #16 - 05/05/14 at 1:56am
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I always thought 32x20 was the norm. 

Basically the starting point on a 29" SS around here.
  
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Robert C.
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Re: First ride on a SS
Reply #17 - 05/05/14 at 1:19pm
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Shocker wrote on 05/05/14 at 1:56am:
I always thought 32x20 was the norm. 

Basically the starting point on a 29" SS around here.


I started 32 x 20 and worked up to 32 x 18 over the course of time.  It's now a comfortable gear at pretty much any trail around Charlotte.
  
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Re: First ride on a SS
Reply #18 - 05/05/14 at 2:03pm
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agree with the working up to a harder gear, I started on a 32x19 6 years ago and walked a lot, should have been on a 20. After countless days of back aches and cramps the 19 got to the point I didn't walk anymore locally and it became very comfortable even for long days on the trail. Now if your wanting to hop into a summer series race you'll have to run at a minimal an 18 or 17 to be competive with the blistering speeds being put up by the top SS  guys
  
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Re: First ride on a SS
Reply #19 - 05/06/14 at 12:22am
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I tried a 32x16, after taking the bike at delivery with 32x20 and feeling it was too spinny on many trails (the shop was out of 18t cogs). 

Seemed great at first. Especially on flats and slight hills. Was even powering up the steep stuff at first. But then I noticed my performance degrading slightly on the uphills. Maybe age related, but the 32x16 is IMO too low for most riders on many of the steeper hills. Especially when using clipless pedals. Unless you like taking tumbles from abruptly stopping on uphill roots, or feeling like you're going to bust a pedal axle or a tendon.

32x18 is the compromise I settled on. It's not perfect either. Just sort of between the two extremes.

For most casual riders the 32x20 is adequate and a change probably isn't necessary, unless you like riding your bike on the road too and don't like the neighborhood dog overtaking you.
  
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