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recently bought a Genesis Fortitude and finding the riding I do is to fast for the top end. I'm mainly doing canals, bit of roads etc and could do with throwing a bigger chainring on. it has 32 at the moment.
Should I go 34 or 36? it also has a chain guide, would that cope with it, or is it a case of sliding that further up the down tube to compensate?
If you really feel the current set is too low I doubt 34's worth the bother - only 6% or so uplift in ratios
(guide should be movable but I dunno whether yours is. Have a look; it won't need to move far)
I'm finding a 36T pretty good but that's for xc racing
Make a decision after you stop going on canal tow paths and you ride it up a hill. 😉
36 on a 29er with an 11-up cassette gives you a fairly reasonable top gear. Depends how much you want to compromise?
My Swifts 32-18 and that's good enough off-road (52"), I suggest you look at your route choices rather than gearing 😛
A 32T is already the equivalent of a 35T on a 26" bike due to the 10% larger rolling radius of the wheels. If you stick a 36T on it, it will feel like a 40T ring on a 26" bike. That is to say, quite tall!
Depends if you're going to take the bike offroad properly though. If it's staying as a canal towpath and road pootler, then gear up by all means, if you're going offroad properly on it at all, I'd keep the 32T myself.
You've clearly bought the wrong bike Mick, i'd flog it cheap to someone in the club and buy one of the following:
Lapierre Zesty
Gary Fisher Rumblefish (but not a proper Gary Fisher like Kiwi's)
On One 456
Cube Stereo
etc
etc
Seriously, if you clear Belmont (going up) at the weekend THEN i'd start looking at swapping rings. I was on a 34t 1x10 set up last (but with the correct sized wheels) and whilst it was hard going i did it no dabs and didn't feel i needed another gear.
Welcome back btw 🙂
33:18 with a Tazzy supplied wobble ring.
Spins out quickly on the road but its about perfect for Cannock.
Coupled to an 11-36 should cover anything.
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7056/6928674149_84b6988920_b.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/takisawa2/6928674149/ ]IMAG0335[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/takisawa2/ ]pten2106[/url], on Flickr
36T on 29er to tall? Rode the Brecon Gap on it last week, and have ridden all around the Peak on it no probs 8) 11-36 at the back. Can get a bit tiring after 4hrs+ but otherwise just about bob on. It was chuffing hard work at Hopton Wood though, regretted not putting the double back on