Gearing?

i think rv should be moderator again, he's better at it.

I live in Bristol, which is quite hilly along the path I travel. I used the stock 48/16 for a few months which I kinda liked although can be hard. Tried 48/18 which was way too spinny for me, so I've just swapped it for a 17T, although haven't tried it yet.

I live in Bristol, which is quite hilly along the path I travel. I used the stock 48/16 for a few months which I kinda liked although can be hard. Tried 48/18 which was way too spinny for me, so I've just swapped it for a 17T, although haven't tried it yet.

shame this is being asked for cycling in Cambridge really, which is the polar opposite of Bristol in terms of the range in height above sea level between the highest and lowest points.

Either you are lance armstrong or superman, how can 48/18 be way too spinny?

anyway - i have a 52x19 and can get up the steepest around here, which i think is barrington (chruch side) and also elmdon.
makes me puff a bit, but hey it's worth it

Either you are lance armstrong or superman, how can 48/18 be way too spinny?

48/19 was too spiny for me. I'm now rolling on a comfortable 48/17 which around town and uphill is fine but down the hill by the American Cemetery I'm hitting the brakes at around 32/33mph. It's called personal preference.

I think Barrington/Haslingfield's Chapel hill is the steeper hill of the two , i dislike it more anyways . The other side is gentler and more drawn out ,and nicer to descend as it hasn't got the T junction and a blind bend .

Spin to win! And its better for yo' knees!

I'm hitting the brakes at around 32/33mph. It's called personal preference.

;)

48/19 was too spiny for me. I'm now rolling on a comfortable 48/17 which around town and uphill is fine but down the hill by the American Cemetery I'm hitting the brakes at around 32/33mph. It's called personal preference.

^^Hallelujah. Tried the 48/17 on the rear halo aerotrack and vittoria rubino pro (23c) today and it felt smooth and organic. Perfect gear ratio and tyre combination for me, and no, I ain't lance armstrong and I use my front brakewhen needed.