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I am off to Switzerland In a few weeks and after Malvern have decided that 34/42 low gear might be a bit much for the http://www.grand-raid-bcvs.ch  on this basis I am considering options. How much difference is a 46 or even a 50 going to make, and any opinions on Shimano v Sunrace?
Currently the rear mech is a M8000 medium and freehub is Shimano.
34/42 = 0.81
32/42 = 0.76
34/46 = 0.73
Taking 2 chainrings would be a cheaper alternative to a new cassette, how much of the climbing is steep vs long?
Yep, changing chain ring to a 30T would make a 11.7% lower gear whilst 42T to 46T is only a drop of 9.5% for a lot less money. Obviously all gears would drop by 11.7% rather than a bigger range. Whilst top end reduction could be a downside maintaining closer ratios near the bottom could really help with long climbs.
One other factor - how much would you miss the other end of the range - will you spin out in 30/11 rather than 34/11?
If you do go for the 11-46 cassette the Sunrace has a more even spread of gears, Shimano has a bigger jump to the 46 so it's more of a bail out option.
Maybe not an option for you - but I love when biking long, steep uphill trails:
My Deore M6000 2x10
Front 24+34
Rear 11...42
Smallest gear ratio: 24 / 42 = 0.57
Above ratios 0.73 ... 0.81 sounds - for me - like suffering...
Smallest gear ratio: 24 / 42 = 0.57
Wow lower than an old school triple! Do you have problems keeping up with glaciers retreating?
At that speed, is your issue not so much running out of puff, as running out of balance? Be quicker to walk...
Do you have problems keeping up with glaciers retreating?
Haha. That's a good one.
This 0.57 ratio is just great! Try it! The 1x11 bikers and 0.7 ratio bikers take the lift. But this 0.57 brings the fun back to uphill biking. 2x10 Deore is so great.
(and in fact: was too slow for the glaciers. When I arrived they were gone already! O.k. - have to admit that.)
At that speed, is your issue not so much running out of puff, as running out of balance? Be quicker to walk…
People always say this, and I used to think it BITD when my lowest gear was 22-28. But every time I've put a lower gear on then ridden up a big hill, it's been useful.
Was coping up Helvellyn with a 22-36, but a 42 would have been a benefit in places. Of course then you have to think about when you need to twiddle, and when you need to get a couple of big pushes in to get you over obstacles. Was definitely faster than walking (up that incline with a bike).
1x10 on the other bike, 11-46 with a 30T chainring which I occasionally spin out on (on a good day or with a bit of effort you can be spinning along in the top gear along a flat road) but never off road. 9-46 with 28T would be my ideal setup, but a bit pricier to install.
Smallest gear ratio: 24 / 42 = 0.57
Wow lower than an old school triple! Do you have problems keeping up with glaciers retreating?
Only a llitle bit lower if you take into account old school smaller wheels.
Old school:Â 26" wheels 22/34 =16.8 gear inches
New school double:Â 27.5" 24/42=15.7" or 29" 24/42=16.6"