The recent post A bit about gearing got me thinking.

Given a certain steepness, a desired cadence and the ability to rock a given amount of power, what should your low gear be?

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Hi Lee!

I’m hoping you could help explain gear ratios and maybe shed some light on which gear ratios are unnecessary. Here’s the situation:

I have a customer that is using the Sram Red compact double (50-34). In the back she is using the new Sram Apex long cage rear derailleur. She is also using a Sram PG1070 10speed casettte in a 11-32. She is interested in switching out the 11-32 cassette to a 12-36. For some reason, I’m thinking that running a gear combination of 34 small ring to a 36 in the back doesn’t make sense. I think what that means is that she would essentially “spin out” OR her gearing in that given combination is too low. Her rebuttal was that her other bike was a road triple with a 22-32-52. However, she was running a 11-28 10sp to go with the triple. I’m wondering this:

Does she just not want to exert any effort climbing or is it useless to run a gear combination of 34-36?

Hopefully these questions make sense.

Congrats on the new book!

Daniel

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Tomorrow I’m coaching a young DH pinner at Keystone. Since I no longer have a downhill bike, I have to make sure the Enduro suspension is dialed. So off to Hall Ranch I went for a mix of turny turns and rocky rocks.

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The web has some sweet videos of pro downhiller Curtis Keene rocking a Stumpjumper in Santa Cruz. Curtis can ride any Specialized he wants; why does he choose a Stumpy instead of an Enduro?

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Now that you can get Shimano 10-speed at a reasonable price point, I have a dream:

- 36t chainring
- 11-36t cassette
- Chain guide

Pump track, dirt jump, trail, road, whatever — it’s on! JHK won the 2009 national XC championship with the same gearing.

JensonUSA is selling Shimano XT and SLX 10-speed goodness.

Hi Lee,
I have a Giant reign that I use for trail riding, light downhill (medium sized jumps up to 6′) and really rocky trails. I’m already running a 2×9 system (24/36) with a bash guard but no chain guide. My question is: Is it a good idea to use a chain guide for the kind of riding I do or are chain guides primarily for gravity riding? Some days, I do 25 milers all on single track. So, I don’t want a lot of resistance. Do these things cause restistance or do you barely notice it? I was thinking about the E13 DRS. Please let me know your thoughts on this.
Thanks,
Walt

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Our friend Rhys in Queensland switched from a medium Enduro to a large Epic. He’s loving the climbs but fearing the descents.

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I’m trying a high-end singlespeed 29er hardtail. Today I got a little XC ride and a short BMX session. So far so fun.

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Lee,

I downloaded your on-line book a few weeks back and we have just
started shaping the pump track in our backyard. Man, it’s going to be
sweet. Anyhow, I was wondering which tires you recommend. I know I want
something fast with low rolling resistance but I probably also need a bit
of tread. What are your thoughts on the Maxxis Holy Roller, Kenda K-Rad,
and Intense MK2? Other suggestions?

Thanks for all your knowledge,

Jason

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Last Friday I was rolling through Golden on the way back from a meeting in Littleton. My clients and I are working on a 60-page partnership proposal: the kind that determines how I pay my mortgage. It’s a fun and relaxing process. So so fun and relaxing that I was crawling out of my skin needing a ride.

I always see riders parked on the side of Highway 6, and I wonder what they’re up to. Turns out they’re riding a sweet trail.

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