Quite a few people running in the range of 38-18 or 38-19 or thereabouts. Some people have used lower gears on hilly courses. Will depend on how you like to pedal, how strong you are, flatness of the course, mud, etc.
In general I reckon you're better off with the lower end for everything bar the dry flat grass crits. Even in those the dead turns, lumps etc will mean a slightly lower gear is that bit better for acceleration.
In the mud you can forget about anything other than grinding the whole way round on anything remotely not downhill...
Yeah I’m thinking the lower end of the gearing will suit best. I’ll be riding mainly Scottish CX courses which can be pretty wet, muddy and lumpy. I was thinking of staring with a 34/18 initially to see how I go with that!
Quite a few people running in the range of 38-18 or 38-19 or thereabouts. Some people have used lower gears on hilly courses. Will depend on how you like to pedal, how strong you are, flatness of the course, mud, etc.
In general I reckon you're better off with the lower end for everything bar the dry flat grass crits. Even in those the dead turns, lumps etc will mean a slightly lower gear is that bit better for acceleration.
In the mud you can forget about anything other than grinding the whole way round on anything remotely not downhill...