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Just looking for some advice - I'm considering changing the triple of one of my bikes to GX Eagle. I know they quote a 500% gear range (and I have tried to use Sheldon Brown's gear chart) but what's the comparison to a triple for example? Does a triple have a 650% gear range?
I'm running 1X on my other bike and it's mostly fine but to me, I'm losing out on both top and bottom gears.
So on a 29er, I would be using either 32t with 11-50 or a 10-50 contrasted with current 22-32-42 and 11-36. It's obvious from these numbers alone that I'm missing out big time at the top end but how does it compare at the other end? Thanks and sorry if you've managed to read this far.
Front teeth/back teeth
So 32/50 vs 22/36
And 32/10 vs 42/11
Also worth seeing how often you actually use the extremes you might be spinning along in the 42 but are you driving more than a lower gear?
Assuming 24-34-44 and an 11-32 you get
0.75 (24/32) to 4 (44/11), which is 533%
However, 32/42 is (near as dammit) 0.75, so a 42t is the same lowest gear as 24/32, and at the other end 32/10 is the same as 44/13.75 (i.e, a smidgen harder than 44/14). Which is a gear that even a TDF rider isn't going to be climbing in, so the question becomes "why are you riding downhill on the road" not "is 500% gear range sufficient".
IMHO 28t upfront and an 11-36 cassette weighs a hell of a lot less and, costs a hell of a lot less, and gives you almost all the gears you actually need. I had 30t (I don't have spiderless cranks) and while I could have done with a lower gear a few times it was still possible to mash up most inlines (and that's on a fat bike!), but that's my opinion and no one else seems to think that, so mehhhh.
Perfect, thanks very much. It's hilly around Stirling and I have injured quads so won't be running a 1X with 11-36 any time soon! I used to be a roadie so like to spin too. I think it's time to splash out!