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I've signed up for the sdw cross event in July but have come to the realisation my road compact 50:34 12:28 is probably going to be a real struggle off road.
I have a lynskey cooper cx with 105 5700 (short cage rear mech)
Can anyone suggest 1) what would be appropriate gearing 2) the best mods to my current set up to achieve this.
I tried using a slx mtb chain set but the Bb was too wide.
Fit a 10 speed long mech and a 36t cassette.
A 9-speed Shimano MTB mech and cassette with 10-speed road shifters will give you extended gear range. Shimano 10 speed MTB mech won't work with road shifter- different cable pull.
Appropriate gearing is simply down to the rider
Just swap the 50t out for a 46t & add a 30t cassette. Any lower than that you'll be really struggling for grip on the climbs towards the end.
I have an XT 11-36 cassette on my Tripster with a 9 speed XTR mech, but I would consider the one of the lindarets adaters - give 18 bikes a call for advice :
http://shop.18bikes.co.uk/m9b0s599p0/GEARS/Lindarets
I think you can get away with a shorter cage with an adapted road mech than you would if you used a MTB mech.
I bashed my cage with some rocks at the devils punch bowl - luckily it was repairable but otherwise it would have disabled me.
I wouldn't worry too much; 34/28 should be ok for the climbs, they are not that brutal. If you are failing to turn that ratio then there's no harm in getting off for a push, which makes a welcome change.
The SDW is all about the beauty of the landscape, just embrace the wonder of it and don't sweat about the bike.
Do sweat about: having tough tyres, lots of food/water and clothes for an emergency (closest I've come to severe hypothermia was up there).
I've ridden the SDW single speed and it was lovely because it forced me to get off the push from time to time, I've also ridden it geared mtb and geared cross. Trust me, on the cross it'll be the descents that kill you. Just sayin!
I use 46/34 & 28/12 which is perfect. There are only a few places where you'd need a 30 on the back, most of the SDW is done in the big ring.
Thanks everyone
My concern mainly stemmed from doing the King of the downs on road last weekend and really struggling with some of the climbs at the end with the same ratio. I am nowhere near being race fit so the thought of a dinner plate on the back to winch up the climbs at the end is appealing!
I might look into that link which expands the rear capacity as a cheap way of doing it.