1x11 - 34T vs 32T

[cadenceblur]

Also, have you looked at the Absolute Black oval cranks?

[Aaron_B]

The Contermans Mast climb double up to the Bloemendaaler is not easy. Dorsberg is a good test when it comes to a short power climb. The Hillcrest steep climb is another one that springs to mind but it's 450m long.

 

Monster climbs? Which ones?

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

The Contermans Mast climb double up to the Bloemendaaler is not easy. Dorsberg is a good test when it comes to a short power climb. The Hillcrest steep climb is another one that springs to mind but it's 450m long.

SHORT!? Felt like that thing carries on for eeeeeeeever!

[Ryno.]

Don't be a pussy. Murder that 34t!

If I had a 42 at the back I would go 36. I am currently 34t upfront and 36 back

[DJ84]

If I had a 42 at the back I would go 36. I am currently 34t upfront and 36 back

I am on 36 front and 11/36 back (29er) and wont lie, it gets tough on the longer climbs.

On short punchy stuff i can power up.

Anything below 10% ave. gradient is generally fine. 

Did the short monster and could climb just about everything, some places were a bit too loose for my liking.

[Grease]

...and on the Epic 'Fred' a 30 seems to be the sensible consensus...

 

Horses for courses :-)

[NotSoBigBen]

Just a personal experience but I find that the longer climbs even if a bit steep I manage OK with my 34*36 (OK it is a 650b) but it's when I get to those short steep things like on the blues at Thaba and Rietvlei that I struggle ....

 

I have just fitted a 40 so we'll see

[Nibali]

It's all fine and cool to have a 36t up front, until you hit that ridiculous climb 80km in... If you don't see yourself riding steep climbs so far into a race, go for it!

[DJ84]

It's all fine and cool to have a 36t up front, until you hit that ridiculous climb 80km in... If you don't see yourself riding steep climbs so far into a race, go for it!

Agreed,

but i ride for fun now and a bit of fitness.

Dont really care for spending undulating hours on the bike at the moment.

 

When and if i want to start racing i will get the gearing suited to that.

Maybe slap the new 2x10 XT on.

[BenGraham]

I'm running a 34t with an 11-34 cassette. Wanted a 11-36 but the 11-34 was on sale. Also I'm on a 26er. I can ride up most stuff but occasionally I get shut down. I try not to worry. 10 speed is still a heck of a lot more the single speed. Also the point about persevering through the beginning phase is probably very true. I'm definitely adjusting. But I'm also definitely a masher rather than a spinner, I stand up and hammer often.

[Aaron_B]

Update: I've done extensive testing on the 1x11 with 34T ring. Biggest test was Nissan Trailseeker #2 in Grabouw. 75km/1800m climbing.

 

Coped fine, monstered the climbs and finished well. 55th/401. I'm going to keep it.

I guess my reasonably low weight of 67kg to go with the 9.8kg bike is a good combination.

[throttles]

Hi all.. 

Resuscitating this thread..

what's the standard ratio for a 1x12 setup on a 29" dual sus?

I have a 10/50 cassette and need to buy a chainring.

I weigh 100kg if that helps?

[Ozzie NL]

Most bikes come standard with a 32T chainring. The suitability depends on your riding style, strength and the terrain you ride.

If you're doing a lot of climbing, the 32 is probably suitable. 34T work well for highveld terrain in my experience

Edited August 1, 2022 by Ozzie NL

[WIPEOUT 1000]

I ride 2x because despite all the marketing hype, 1.) it is more efficient (both theoretically and empirically) and 2.) I have the cognitive abilities to both understand this and also operate a front derailleur. 

However, to your question, I weigh about the same as you do and the biggest problem I have is that I can generate more force than my knees can cope with. I invariably have to run smaller chain rings to prevent overuse injuries. 

In my experience the smaller rings have made a huge difference although I've ridden compact on my road bikes for years, I have also recently gone from a  36/26 to 34/24 for JoBerg2C and I finished the 930km without any knee issues and I'll not be going back to the larger rings. 

 

 

[throttles]

https://enduro-mtb.com/en/gear-ratios-mtb-drivetrain/

this is one of the articles i came across that were useful. but still left me questioning between 32/34t.

Maybe i should try out the 32t and if it's too light get the 34t?

thought perhaps posting the question here would save me some school fees.

[TyronLab]

At the point where you "need" to be in 32x50 (i.e. you're riding up a hill that is so steep you can't maintain a usable cadence in a harder gear) you're crawling along at 5.8km/h at 65rpm at which pace you might just be quicker walking anyway. 

Unless you have multiple 8%+ grades you regularly ride where you want to be spinning with relative ease at 85rpm I wouldn't go for a 32 chainring. 34x10 is also enough to stick with the majority of roadie group rides in my experience (unless you're in the 35km/h+ boat, at which point if you're riding a mountain bike you should be fit enough to not need 32x50 anyway).