SS Gear Ratios for Patapsco

[mike a]

I've almost got my Bontrager SS all done and was wondering what kind of gear ratios do you guys use for Patapsco? That is where I ride 90% of the time. The Bontrager will have 34x16 which I am starting to think may be a bit to hard for the Patapsco climbs.

[jon_baler]

I ride 32:18 on my 29er. I really like it, but then again never tried anything else.

[riderx]

I run 52 gear inches on my MTBs which works out to 34x17 (a.k.a. 2:1)on the 26" and 36x20 on the 29er.

Patapsco used to be my home trail and that's the gear I rode there all the time. I certainly wouldn't go bigger than that and I know quite a few people go lower.

[RetroG]

34 x 20 for these spaghetti legs. 26" wheels. I bought 2 inexpensive cogs (www.universalcycles.com/shopping/index.php?category=1704) to start out, figuring I could go from 20T to 18T without having to remove any links of chain.

[bolder13]

Usually a 32x20 on my Niner.

[mike a]

Thanks for the info, I guess I am in the ball park of where I want to be. I will probably end up going to a 17t. I'll just stay away from the harder climbs at first. I'm excited about getting back on the Bontrager! I love that bike. I like seeing it without all the shifters and such. Beautiful Simplicity. :cool:

[peter6061]

32:18 on my Niner. Early in the season I might drop it down a cog if it was a slow winter. But that gear ratio feels about right for most of the park.

[bwhobbs99]

I have 32:17 and I find it is pretty good, perhaps a bit difficult when the climbing gets steep.

[BikerMiker]

Mike, you've ridden with me. I run a 34x17 (2:1) out at Patapsco. No problems and it makes you really work on the steep stuff. See you out there.

mike

[mike a]

Mike, you've ridden with me. I run a 34x17 (2:1) out at Patapsco. No problems and it makes you really work on the steep stuff. See you out there.

mike

Hey Mike,

I'm no longer horribly slow like the last time we rode. We need to meet up sometime. I try and get out there about 3 times a week.

[BikerMiker]

Just let me know when you are heading out there. I need about 45min of heads up. I hope you still have my cell phone #...

mike

[mike a]

Just let me know when you are heading out there. I need about 45min of heads up. I hope you still have my cell phone #...

mike

Yeah I still have it. Next week will probably be tue, thurs, around 2:30-3:00 and then sun morning.

[BikerMiker]

Right on. I'm supposed to 'taper' my training before the SM100 (whatever that means) so I may not be able to make it but I'm hard pressed to pass up a ride!

mike