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    I want an easier gear ratio on my new gravel bike, could someone ELI5 what I need to do?


    Hi all,

    I know this is a dumb question, but my local bike shop doesn't even want to talk to someone about a bike they didn't sell so I'm sort of looking for any advice I can get at this point.

    I picked up a Lauf Seigla Race Wireless with the Force E1 Groupset. Love this bike, it blows my old Specialized out of the water. I'm in good shape these days but pretty much any route I take around here involves a lot of long sustained climbs. I'd really like to get some bigger gears to help me struggle up these mountains, but I'm unsure of where to start, or even what my options are. The cassette is currently 10-46. Based on my mountain bike, I think I would be happy with a 52t as the big gear

    I feel like, in theory, I could get a different cassette for the rear end, but I'm struggling to figure out what would be compatible with what's currently on the bike. I'm happy to change the derailleur, chainring, whatever – I just need a jumping off point to know what to buy.

    Any resources/YouTube videos/advice would be much appreciated!!

    by Cease_Cows_

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    6 Comments

    2. drakewithdyslexia on

      Smaller front ring would be the easiest and cheapest. Garbaruk makes a 10-52 casette that works with xplr derailleurs. Otherwise you’ll have to buy a transmission cassette and derailleur.

    3. GravelDuro on

      I have a 10-46 cassette and a 34-tooth chainring up front. It works perfectly, even in the Alps. 🤗

    4. i_cant_find_a_name99 on

      Either (in cost order, least to most):
      1. Change chainring to a smaller one (won’t make a massive difference though), won’t impact shifting performance
      2. Buy the new Garbaruk 10-52t 13sp cassette https://global.garbaruk.com/shop/13-speed-gen2-0-cassette-for-xplr-xd-xdr-freehub-2162?category=17#attribute_values=33,30 might impact shifting performance (not seen a review yet)
      3. Convert to a mullet drivetrain (e.g. Eagle GX mech and 10-52t 12sp cassette. This will mean downgrading to only 12 gears though.

      Or wait to see if SRAM release 13sp MTB drivetrains this year which would likely include a 10-52t 13sp cassette. Assuming it would be supported with E1 XPLR then you shouldn’t lose any shifting performance

    5. milbug_jrm on

      For that Derailleur, 46T is largest recommended cassette….so not sure it would work. Plus you will have to get a new (Longer) chain and cut it to length. The only benefit over new chainring up front is you maintain your “top end” gearing.

      With a smaller chainring, all you have to do is cut the existing chain and you’re good to go. And 1x chainrings are cheaper than 13 sp cassettes.

    6. Amopax on

      Where the hell do you live where a 46:40-ratio isn’t enough for climbs for a person in “good shape”?

      I agree with the other people on here, though: Change the chainring on your crank.

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