Touring Ratios Question?

AlanW · Post by **AlanW** » 14 Sep 2011 13:45

With my pending C2C2C trip just over a week away and my recent venture into riding with loaded panniers, my new panniers only arrived yesterday so I only have just over a week to sort my gearing out?

My current gear set up is a triple 10 speed, 30/39/52 with a 12/23 cassette and after a few trial runs semi loaded, would suggest that I need to go lower.

I am now currently trying 28/39/52 with a 13/25 cassette, (as I already had these options) which is a lot better I have to admit. I don't like large steps on a cassette as it upsets my cadence, so I don't want to go for a large ratio cassette, say 12/28. Therefore the next logical step would be to maybe consider dropping down to a 26T from the 28T on the inner triple. But I have heard that this can dramatically effect gear changes (up or down) and also the likely hood of chain derailment is increased?

So what do the hardened tourist riders amongst us use just out of interest?

Post by **CakeStop** » 14 Sep 2011 14:44

I'm only a softened tourist but I find 30x28 low enough - is that about the same as 28x25? Maybe would be grateful for something lower if carrying camping gear as well or if not in control of the route. I think once the ratio's that low it's as much about being prepared to make slow progress as it is about the gears and I have no problem in that department.

Neil Compton · Post by **Neil Compton** » 14 Sep 2011 15:47

The gearing on my claud butler is 26-36-48 with a 9 speed cassette 11-32. On my tours with fully loaded panniers i did have to use 26/32 on some hills i encountered.

In connection with the other thread about chains i was out on the club run sunday on my CB and was having the gears jump and also was getting a noise from the rear derailleur. Got the oil can out and had a mess to see if it's better next time i go out on it. Thinking maybe the gear cable has stretched a bit.

AlanW · Post by **AlanW** » 14 Sep 2011 16:43

CakeStop wrote:I'm only a softened tourist but I find 30x28 low enough - is that about the same as 28x25? Maybe would be grateful for something lower if carrying camping gear as well or if not in control of the route. I think once the ratio's that low it's as much about being prepared to make slow progress as it is about the gears and I have no problem in that department.

Not a great deal in it really:-

30 x 28 = 28.4"

28 x 25 = 29.4"

If I cannot get up with that, then I'll walk up it!

AlanW · Post by **AlanW** » 14 Sep 2011 19:02

Neil Compton wrote:The gearing on my claud butler is 26-36-48 with a 9 speed cassette 11-32. On my tours with fully loaded panniers i did have to use 26/32 on some hills i encountered.

I think that if I was selecting a ratio from scratch it would be along the lines of 26-38-50 with a 13-25 10sp cassette.

Did you weigh your panniers when they were full Neil?

Neil Compton · Post by **Neil Compton** » 14 Sep 2011 19:45

AlanW wrote:
Neil Compton wrote:The gearing on my claud butler is 26-36-48 with a 9 speed cassette 11-32. On my tours with fully loaded panniers i did have to use 26/32 on some hills i encountered.

I think that if I was selecting a ratio from scratch it would be along the lines of 26-38-50 with a 13-25 10sp cassette.

Did you weigh your panniers when they were full Neil?

No i'm afraid i have no way of doing it but believe me they were pretty heavy and with the weight of the bike as well it was a struggle to lift it.

slogfester · Post by **slogfester** » 15 Sep 2011 11:26

The rule of thumb for loaded touring is a minimum 25" inch gear, unless you're off to the lowlands.

Post by **CakeStop** » 15 Sep 2011 12:10

Neil Compton wrote:No i'm afraid i have no way of doing it but believe me they were pretty heavy and with the weight of the bike as well it was a struggle to lift it.

Some kind but unknown person/company recently sent me a digital handheld weighing device for no apparent reason. I didn't order / request one and there are no details of where it came from or why. I think it's meant for weighing luggage but would equally work for other stuff. It's almost as though someone knew I was just about to buy a new bike frame and would be interested in how much it weighs.

Alternatively you could simply stand on the bathroom scales with and without object to be weighed and work out the difference.

George · Post by **George** » 15 Sep 2011 12:54

CakeStop wrote:Some kind but unknown person/company recently sent me a digital handheld weighing device for no apparent reason.

How extraordinary! I obviously don't not know the right people.

CakeStop wrote:Alternatively you could simply stand on the bathroom scales with and without object to be weighed and work out the difference.

This is certainly what I do, but I often need an assistant, because when holding the thing, I can't see the scales. And, while it's a quick and easy way of getting a good estimate, it can be hard to get a precise figure, because you only have to shift your balance a bit to get a significantly different reading.

Neil Compton · Post by **Neil Compton** » 15 Sep 2011 13:23

I don't have any bathroom scales.

Post by **CakeStop** » 15 Sep 2011 13:57

Neil - you're lucky enough not to need bathroom scales!

AlanW · Post by **AlanW** » 15 Sep 2011 16:03

George wrote: This is certainly what I do, but I often need an assistant, because when holding the thing, I can't see the scales. And, while it's a quick and easy way of getting a good estimate, it can be hard....

George,

Sorry. but this reads so wrong, are you on the right forum.................

George · Post by **George** » 15 Sep 2011 23:35

All the best writing means different things to different people, Alan.

snailmale · Post by **snailmale** » 16 Sep 2011 09:26

These days I'm down to 28/38/48 with 13-29 and thats just for fetching the newspaper. I only use the 28 for the Sunday supplements though.