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smugmug1961 on
Smaller than what? How could anyone possibly answer this question?
Are you going to be climbing a lot of these kinds of hills? How fit are you? Can you not get up this hill?
What a strange and ambitious question.
dr_zubik on
Only you can tell us. Go ride that hill.
StrumUndDrang-83 on
Yes
Caddyscat on
Pleasanton Ridge. I no likey that part.
zimurg13 on
Bigger is better!
tdank9 on
Nope, bigger quads
Mammoth_Mountain1967 on
I’d just power through it unless I was doing those all day. I live in Pittsburgh though so high grades don’t really bother me lol.
SquabCats on
Laughs in 2x. See ya at the top!
infoecho on
OP here. some background, I just recently replaced the stock 40T with 36T and this was the 2nd time I tested the smaller chainring out. Happy about that I can blast through some hills that I could not do on 40T (yes, still on my way to get bigger quads. Haha, I am relatively old so not sure if I can still grow some muscle.)
However, even with 36T, I did have to hike-a-bike for some short stretches to get the point that I took the picture. I had other hills to climb later in my plan so I did not go up. Surely, I will try it next time I get there as long as it is not muddy!!
raremud_ on
12 tooth
Efficient-Celery8640 on
You should be able to get up just about anything with a 0.8 ratio since gravel bikes are generally 8-15 lbs lighter than a hardtail-fsus MTB and their low ratio is usually about 0.6
Therefore your post isn’t complete without knowing you largest cassette ring and I don’t see that here (just the 36T chain ring)
hvontres on
If only there was a way to have more than one front chainring and the ability to switch them while riding. Someone should invent that……
blueyesidfn on
What cassette? Does your frame have any restrictions on how small a chainring you can use? (a concern with dropped chainstays)
Is it just a strength thing, or are you losing traction anywhere?
Rouge_Stoat on
An*
Wirelessness on
Do what guy need to do. Where I ride it’s very common to have 20% or more grade for extended climbs. On my gravel bike I run 1×12 10-52 MTB gearing with 38T front. It just depends on your local rides.
johnny_evil on
Nah, just good walking shoes 🤣
gonefishing111 on
I run a grx mechanical 2x 46/30 up front. 11/30 in back. I might go to a 40 or 42 cassette for going loaded. The secret to hills is gears
19 Comments
**Thanks for posting to /r/gravelcycling! It looks like you’ve submitted an image.**
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* Bike details (make, model, accessories, and gear)
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Smaller than what? How could anyone possibly answer this question?
Are you going to be climbing a lot of these kinds of hills? How fit are you? Can you not get up this hill?
What a strange and ambitious question.
Only you can tell us. Go ride that hill.
Yes
Pleasanton Ridge. I no likey that part.
Bigger is better!
Nope, bigger quads
I’d just power through it unless I was doing those all day. I live in Pittsburgh though so high grades don’t really bother me lol.
Laughs in 2x. See ya at the top!
OP here. some background, I just recently replaced the stock 40T with 36T and this was the 2nd time I tested the smaller chainring out. Happy about that I can blast through some hills that I could not do on 40T (yes, still on my way to get bigger quads. Haha, I am relatively old so not sure if I can still grow some muscle.)
However, even with 36T, I did have to hike-a-bike for some short stretches to get the point that I took the picture. I had other hills to climb later in my plan so I did not go up. Surely, I will try it next time I get there as long as it is not muddy!!
12 tooth
You should be able to get up just about anything with a 0.8 ratio since gravel bikes are generally 8-15 lbs lighter than a hardtail-fsus MTB and their low ratio is usually about 0.6
Therefore your post isn’t complete without knowing you largest cassette ring and I don’t see that here (just the 36T chain ring)
If only there was a way to have more than one front chainring and the ability to switch them while riding. Someone should invent that……
What cassette? Does your frame have any restrictions on how small a chainring you can use? (a concern with dropped chainstays)
Is it just a strength thing, or are you losing traction anywhere?
An*
Do what guy need to do. Where I ride it’s very common to have 20% or more grade for extended climbs. On my gravel bike I run 1×12 10-52 MTB gearing with 38T front. It just depends on your local rides.
Nah, just good walking shoes 🤣
I run a grx mechanical 2x 46/30 up front. 11/30 in back. I might go to a 40 or 42 cassette for going loaded. The secret to hills is gears
53×11 or go home.