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I nave just migrated from a rigid ss to a full bounce on 1*9. Currently running a 36up front and 11-32 at the back.
I'm finding it a bit hard to ride uphill just now. the old technique of standing up and powering up as I did with the SS does not work as the new bike just bobs.
So what ring for getting uphill? Will the 32 be ok or might I need the 30t?
Alternatively should I just focus on getting some more power in the legs and manning up?
Will be riding mainly Scottish trail centres with some northern Spain / pyrinees in the summer
I used a 34t front ring for years but sometimes struggled this changed when i went to a 11-34 cassette
Just make sure you get a 1:1 gear ratio for 1st gear. I'm guessing you know that much already 😉
You can get a 12-36 9speed cassette in Deore flavour. Only £18 from CRC. Your highest gear will obviously end up a bit low, but in terms of doing hilly rides, priority should go with the lower gears - getting off and pushing is much crapper than running out of gears whizzing downhill...
The 1:1 is where I initially was going. If I'm buying a new ring I didn't want to be in the position in a few weeks of thinking I wish I got the other one.
my mate runs 11-36 (10 gears) with a 28 upfront but spins out on the flat, he found 32 too hard uphill so hes going to a 30. He's a fit lad.
I have a bike with 1:1. It isn't a light bike (think totems). The points where I have stopped to push are the points where I am not much slower walking. If I were fitter I would have been fine.
I have another bike that is 32 up front with a 36 at the back. Almost wish I had gone for 34 up front as it tends to spin out on some roads and odd bits of Glentres blue. It does feel as though it could climb anything without a problem.
Most people I know seem to run either 32 or 34 to 11-36.
blindboy, what 28 tooth front ring is your mate using? Does he have it in the granny position or is it well spaced out from the middle?
Just trying to avoid buying a huge rear cog!
what works for you, not everyone else. Whats your cadence like?
If you drop to a 30t then to get any speed on the flat you will be spinning like a mad man - which is why I'm not heading there.
I've just gone from 2x9 (24/36 x 11/32) to 1x10 (36 x 11/36) on my Soul and not died yet. That said, I just lock my forks out and stand up when I can't spin up hills so on a bouncer you might want something a touch lower than 1:1 - I guess it depends on how many long climbs you do / how fit you are (I'm not the latter).
If you're staying 1x9, you could buy [url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-deore-hg61-9-speed-mtb-cassette/rp-prod31059 ]a 12-36 cassette[/url] and an [url= http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/shimano-pinion-cs-hg-80-11-au-teeth-9-speed/aid:483934 ]11t small cog[/url] to give you an 11-36 cassette - although you might want to check if the Deore cassette can still be split. Use this with a 34t front ring and you get a decent spread without spending loads.
I swap between a 32/30 front ring depending on location(makes all the difference to me),if coming from SS you will be used to spinning on flat/downhills,you will have extra weight to haul up too with boingy bits
I'm happy to spin, it's the bouncing up the hills I'm having trouble with. Sounds like I will go with the smallest ring I can get in a 104 BCD; 30t I think.
I *think* I may have a 32 cheap shimano pressed steel ring on the spares box. Will try that this weekend and see how I get on.
scruff - i changed to 1x10 last week. i previously ran 2x8 (24/34 front 11-32) which was a real struggle going up hills.
i now run 34t up front and 11-36 at the rear. it works fine for me...i'm not the fittest but i can now get up most hills without dying...
IMO your 36t front ring is too big for the 11-32 cassette especially for climbing (unless your light as a whippet or have calves as big as the Hulk its understandable why you're struggling).
even a 34t would be difficult so i reckon you need go to a 32 or 30t up front but be aware the 30t may leave you spinning like mad on the descents and fast flat sections.
32t would be your best option
Unless you quote wheel size, just stating chainring / cassette teeth number is meaningless.
I run 28 tooth chainring and 11-36 cassette on a 29er. That is equivalent to about a 31 tooth chainring on a 26er. For long days and steep hills, it works well. Top speed is about 20mph without crazy spinning.
You need to ask what you are going to be doing, and what you want to get out of your riding. Then to marry that with your fitness and kit.