How To Choose Your Chainrings + Cassette - GCN's Guide To Selecting Gear Ratios
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Having the right gear ratios on your bike will make a huge difference to your riding experience. Here's a quick guide to how they work. Click here to subscribe to GCN: http://gcn.eu/SubscribeToGCN Your gear ratios are defined by the size of your chainrings and the ratios offered by your cassette. Your tyre width also affects this to a certain extent, but by far the biggest influence us exerted by the chainrings and cassette. On a road bike you have two choices of chainset. Standard, which is commonly 53x39 and compact, commonly 50x34. Cassettes generally offer gears in the range of 11-25 or 11-28. In this video, Dan Lloyd explains how gear ratios are calculated and how you can use that knowledge to your benefit - don't forget to SHARE! Music: Archie Thompson - Gravedigger Jones: http://gcn.eu/1C4ihyT Buy GCN Cycling Kit! Click here: http://gcn.eu/BuyGCNKitYT Get GCN T-Shirts and hoodies: http://gcn.eu/buy_GCN_stuff About GCN: The Global Cycling Network puts you in the centre of the action: from the iconic climbs of Alpe D’Huez and Mont Ventoux to the cobbles of Flanders, everywhere there is road or pavé, world-class racing and pro riders, we will be there bringing you action, analysis and unparalleled access every week, every month, and every year. We show you how to be a better cyclist with our bike maintenance videos, tips for improving your cycling, cycling top tens, and not forgetting the weekly GCN Show. Join us on YouTube’s biggest and best cycling channel to get closer to the action and improve your riding! Welcome to the Global Cycling Network | Inside cycling Thanks to our sponsors: Santini cycling kit: http://gcn.eu/BuyGCNKitYT Kask helmets: http://gcn.eu/1FrbcHK fi’zi:k shoes: http://gcn.eu/1tsXI7S Youtube Channel - http://gcn.eu/gcnYT Facebook - http://gcn.eu/gcnFb Google+ - http://gcn.eu/gcnGPlus Twitter - http://gcn.eu/gcnTW Leave us a comment below!
Comments
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I'm a youth so am restricted to a 16-27 and 39-52
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I remember my old peugeot 10 speed that i got for free had 56-49 chainrings and i think it was a 14-23 rear gearing.
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I much prefer a compact (50/34) on the front and 11-28 on the back. You can tackle anything with this. Love it. Been using it for about 10 years.
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for one trip at unknown loactions what best set? i like sprint alot and i dont want lose performances on flat and long climbs.
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sir please answer this. if i have ratio which is 52/19=2.7:1 and then i change to 47/17=2.7:1. who is the lightest one?
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my upcoming Norco Search A is full Tiagra 4700 with a 50/34t and 11-32t but i have a feeling i'll be changing out the cassette since there are pretty much no climbs anywhere near me, just windy flats :(
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Hi, i'm a newbie, i have 53 front and i can buy 11-21 cassette or 13-26, what's best choice?
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hey guys i am using an 11/28 cassette and and 50/34 chainrings do you think it is good for climbing or should I change something and if so what to what
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Hi guys, I want to buy a new bike and he has 52/36 chainrings and a 11/28 cassette.(Ultegra 11 speed) Next week I go to the Mont Ventoux, is this suitable to climb the Ventoux? I am 19 years old and I doesn't drive in competition. Thanks! #Torqueback
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A 53 is way to big for someone who rides 2-3 times a week solo. I usually ride with a cadence of 90-95 average (on 3-5h rides) and use the 39 ring 90% of the time. Currently using 11-23 cassettes, but will switch to 12-23 in the future.
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Can you give the exact calculation of meters per revolution? Always thought it was gear ratio multiplied by wheel circumference, but my numbers are different from yours.
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HiI use compact gears and have found after when I changed my 50 tooth chain ring to a 46 tooth the bike felt and was noticeable a whole lot more responsive. It kicked out of corners a full bike length than with the 50 even knowing I was in the same gear ratio (in a 46x16 instead a 50x17 ) pushing a 46 x 11 is still a big gear for most and as I don't race down hills it is not that often I run out of gears. Track riders do the same when selecting rations in races that surge a lot but use big chain rings in a race where they just need to sit on a high speeds. This is not for all riders but for what I do I will never go back to a 50 again. Recently on a bike with a 53 and strained my back in a lousy 30 k ride on a flat road.P.s the chain ring is 45 - 50 grams lighter for an added bonus.
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It seems against logic that the smaller cassette in the back will travel further than a larger one. But, I admit I am no mathematician or engineer.
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cassette? please! use a freewheel!
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help needed. About to buy a new bike and looking at Giant TCR. Do I go for a 52/36 11x28 or a 50/34 11x32 which seem to be the options when deciding upon the tcr advanced or the pro version. I'm currently on an Allez 50/34 32 - yes i'm a bit wet and only really started last year. I normally do 2x45-55mile rides a week with 2000-3500ft climbing. But we go to the alps for one week in the summer with last year being my first ever trip. I definitely needed the 32 back then. But now i've cycled all year and i'm never in the small cog anymore and questioning whether I need the 32 now. Plus new bike will be carbon and lighter. i've also lost 3.5kg myself. Stavas times all miles better. I'm finding it very difficult to decide upon what i should do. Should i buy an trc pro 1 and buy an additional cassette to take with me? would the rear derailer cope should i want to go back to a 32? I'm leaning to 52/36 11x28 but not sure its not too much a jump for me?
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Very informative. Gave me the basics for a topic I knew very little about. Thank you!
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Thanks a lot
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Dan didn't mention this, but it deserves mentioning: the necessarily greater width of a triple chainring crankset may cause knee problems for some riders.
I experimented with a triple for the steeper mountain events, and had chronic knee trouble. I met with a pro-fitter who moved my cleats out (bringing my feet in) but it still wasn't enough--my knee trouble persisted. He said it was common with triples. The knee trouble immediately went away as soon as I went back to a double chainring crank (which was over a cm narrower), and my knee trouble went away. -
do you have a video explaining mid compact 52/36 with a 11/28?
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Chain is put on "backwards" text on the links should be on the outside
5m 7sLenght
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