Changing to a smaller inner ring.

[Simond S]

Hi,

I normally ride with a 53/39 crankset. I slow to 7 or 8 mph on the harder hills but am normally quite happy to dig in a bit as I prefer the larger outer gear.

However, I am signed up for the Sussex etape and having done the ride over a couple of stages (to learn the course) I know I will need help.

Is it possible to swap the inner ring for a compact ring, or is there another option (without going compact on the outer ring).

The crankset I use is the http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod... but 53 /39

I was thinking if I could go to a 34 it would make the ride more achievable!

[Jimbo.]

IIRC you can't go much/any smaller on a 130mm BCD chainset.

[BadgerBenji]

Exactly as Jimbo has said, the 34t chainsets use 110bcd, allowing the use of a smaller chainring. Ignore the bravado and "sur le platte" or whatever the french expression is, and go compact.

[okgo]

Get a 12-27 cassette, easier and more practical than mucking about with chain-rings.

[BPC7]

As okgo suggests, change the cassette for something with 27 or even a 28 cog. Much easier to do than messing around with the chainrings.

The course for the Etape Du Sussex is fine and I have done all the hills with a 52/39 11/26 set up. Kidds Hill is in reverse for this ride and that is the hill that gets most riders.

Wear your PH jersey (if you have one) as I am helping out that day, think on the start finish line.

[anonymous-user]

to be honest, 7-8 mph on the harder hills is still fairly quick, there is a cat 4 climb near me I use as my fitness benchmark where I only average 16.5 kmh so I'd say you're doing fine! I'd take an average of 12kmh on anything steeper than that.

[okgo]

Depends how steep it is really. I averaged around 8 mph up a mountain yesterday and it was not pleasant as I was undergeared.

[Simond S]

Thanks for the replies. I first need to qualify that I am the guy who when a photo was shown of me in a PH top, the first comment was "that's a hell of a lot of pies there!"

I already use a 27 on the back. This is the ride I just did this morning http://connect.garmin.com/activity/325079651

The hill at 23.67 is Chuck Hatch hill, runs alongside Kidds hill and similar length.

I don't know whether to go compact, not because I am a pedal warrior but I like the 53 gear for the flat, I find it really comfortable as I have a naturally low cadence.

[Jayfish]

You'll be fine, the climb into the forest is the Marsefield-Kings Standing one, thats the flatest of all routes up, quite long but 3.2% Ave compared to Jib Jack/Chuck Hatch 4.8% ave or Kidds 8.6%
Nice ride this morning btw

[Bobley]

If you just change the inner ring then your front derailleur wont have the capacity to reach between the two. You should check the capacity of the front mech, it may be listed on the web if its shimano.

If you're struggling with the overall performance then poss try picking up a 50/34 BB30 such as an FSA Gossamer.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FSA-Gossamer-Chainset-BB...

At least then if you don't like it you can punt back off on ebay?

Edited by Bobley on Sunday 9th June 22:50

[Dr Imran T]

You could try a 52/36 chainset instead of a compact??

That coupled with your 27 cassette that you have already should be fine : )

I run a compact with a 26 cassette but I live in a very hilly area - thus it works well for me.