Living in the mountains where a typical ride will consist of at least 5-6 miles of climbing and that isnt including the hills, just the mountain climbs I have had to gear down. About a month ago I was on my Rauler with a 42x23 and felt a twinge of pain in my knee so I turned around and headed back down the mountain. The next day I took out the Merican with its triple and a low of 30x23 and did some climbing. The knee was still somewhat sore, but I came through OK. That day I ordered the gearing I needed to make the bike climb with less pain to the rider. It now has a 39x26 and it has made all the difference in the world. The tighter cog will be saved for the flat lands. Now I dont think I would take it out on a 100 miler with 9 mountain climbs or anything like that, but for a couple of climbs it will and my knees will do just fine. At times I do have to remind myself that I am no longer as young, strong and as fast as I used to be. There was a time when I would do Skyland Drive with a 47x21 and it was all right, but not anymore. When I get a little older I will probably have to gear down even farther. The main thing is to keep on riding and sometimes that means making concessions do to age and the like. Can one use the small cog as a granny and the inner chain ring for a big cog? Just a thought.
Did 42 miles yesterday with 9 miles of mountain climbing in preparation for the Mountain Mama Challenge. A friend and I will be doing the last 50 miles of this century tomorrow. She did the 50 miler last year and what to see if she is up to the full 100 and the 5 additional mountains it has to offer.
Larry Osborne are you coming?
Mark, the older I get the faster I was, Poore