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Which is better, and why, for what?
32 for a triple
34 for a double
36 for a single?
Or any for a single speed
Ahem - I got confused with that last comment and switched to chain rings
9 or 10 speed? how big a climbing gear do you need? Do you use bigger (29er) wheels? Do you like having a big jump right in the middle of your range?
I run 2x9 speed, 11-32, briefly tried a bigger cassette but the larger step in the middle of the range irritated me more than the bigger sprocket helped (seldom use the 32 let alone anything bigger). My mates who use 1x9 or 1x10 have bigger sprockets to compensate for losing the granny ring range.
10 speed, triple front, 26" wheels....
I guess 11-32 will have the closest ratios...ie less difference between changes?
depends what you've got up front and what sort of riding you're doing.
I'm running 26/38 and 11-36 ATM, seems to cover everything from racing XC to climbing the bathroom wall! 🙂
[mountain biking has no rules]
Bigger range = lower gear the trade off is bigger spacing.
The upshot is you can run bigger front rings and still get the same low gear.
10 speed, triple front,
Unless you want lower than low the mid or tight one probably (how steep are your hills and how heavy is the bike)
The bigger spread has more uses in 1 or 2x setups as you can increase the front ring sizes to offset losing the 40+T ring.
I now have 28/39 with the big range at the back. It's only 3t down from where the last triple chainset I got was (many many years ago) but easily pedallable up steep stuff.
I guess 11-32 will have the closest ratios...ie less difference between changes?
You're unlikely to notice the difference. Then again you may not notice the difference of having the extra 2 teeth on your largest cog. Personally running a triple I've always used 11-32 (9 speed), figuring I'd be quicker pushing if I needed a lower gear than that - though I'd certainly miss the 22/32 which is one reason I've not gone double front, despite it having obvious advantages for most of my riding.
got 40/28 front and a 11-36 out back.
It's v spinney in the little gears
Wider is better for me, minimise shifting on the front.
I use a triple and 11-36, just gives me a good bail out gear if I'm doing a 12 hour race or am just plain knackered! I like have a triple though as we have some long descents here.
I use a double and 11-36, nowt wrong with having a low bail out gear
if you have a triple up front you may be limited to 11-32 anyway - need to calculate "capacity" and see if rear mech can handle it
need Sheldon Brown's site to calculate capacity and mnfrs technical to find capacity
I noticed the mid-block jump on the bigger (34?), it seemed to be right where I was trying to sit for most of the ride, ditched it and went back to 32 after one ride.
Horses for courses and all that. On a recent ride in FoD I noticed we had loads of gear choices covered (1x10, 2x9, 2x10, 3x9), and that riding together on a climb we were all using different ratios (so different cadences for same ground speed) and different styles (seated, standing on pedals). Whatever works for you.
I noticed the mid-block jump on the bigger (34?), it seemed to be right where I was trying to sit for most of the ride, ditched it and went back to 32 after one ride.
I noticed that too, but found the ratios seem to be different between the jumps too - and they suit my legs better so I'm putting up with the jump after years of 11-32. I've never checked whether this is real or purely psycological.
Depends how fit you are and where you ride.
Needed a 22T granny and a 34T on the back at the end of todays ride (42 miles and 6,200ft), and if I'd a 36T, I'd have used that instead 🙂
My experience is 11-34 jumps in middle rings - at least on Sram PG 971 and model up anyway. Way smoother middle ring shifting on 11-32 but willing to put up with it for now as running 1* set-up and need the bigger range for long fire road climbs. If I ever got stronger and fitter I would go back to 11-32. Running 32 up front.
BTW - rode a Sram 10-44 1*11 setup briefly the other day - I was genuinely impressed but the coin is crazy.
That's random, never heard of or seen anyone have issues with skipping on a certain cassette size.
not at all, the ratios are quite different, and as a result it slips. Has been the case for me with long and short cage rear mechs fwiw.
Triple with 11-36 here too. Covers all eventualities and shreds even the most ridiculous of climbs.