RaeTrewBrowne Posted December 18, 2018 Share Howdy all, Looking for advice on a decent gear ratio for a single speed build that will be used for multiday gravel grinding and some non-technical single track. Potentially some big climbs. Anyone have any experience with this with a 32 x 18 gear setup? Not needing to set records on the flats, just want to be able to climb fairly comfortably with a loaded bike. Shot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohanMalan Posted December 18, 2018 Share Howdy all, Looking for advice on a decent gear ratio for a single speed build that will be used for multiday gravel grinding and some non-technical single track. Potentially some big climbs. Anyone have any experience with this with a 32 x 18 gear setup? Not needing to set records on the flats, just want to be able to climb fairly comfortably with a loaded bike. Shot! I am doing the SS gravel thing at present, lots of SS MTB in the past. Difficult question to answer without knowing your abilities/preferences. If 32/18 on mtb is good for you then I would go with a 32/16 on gravel else you just spend too much time spinning on the flats. How much extra weight are you carrying, how steep/ long are the climbs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaeTrewBrowne Posted December 18, 2018 Share Hi Johan, thanks for the reply. I'm relatively strong on the climbs, so going with a bigger gear on the climbs so I don't spin out too much on the flats sounds like a good idea. Potential climbs are like the Outeniqua Pass etc. First trip I am looking at is the Cross Cape Route which goes over quite a few longer passes. Bike won't be too loaded. Maybe a frame bag inside the main triangle, sleeping bag tied to handlebars, two smaller bags on the forks and a backpack with the other stuff. The back wheel has a flipflop hub with a 14T fixed cog if I really need it on a flat tar road with a tail wind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the nerd Posted December 18, 2018 Share 32/18 is a good all around gear... Seeing as you have a flip flop on the rear see if you can get 16t screw on free wheel As riding fixed on gravel... hmmmm RaeTrewBrowne 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldron Posted December 18, 2018 Share A 2:1 ratio is a good place to start (for a 29er I assume). >2:1 if you're strong and the riding is flat/easy. <2:1 if you're building up strength and the riding is rolling/hilly. RaeTrewBrowne 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewbacca Posted December 18, 2018 Share I did the Swartberg grand fondo last year 39/20. I was forced to walk 2 or 3 parts of the climb but not for long. On a gravel bike 32/18 will be way to spinny. Basically, you 'should' be riding on roads and passes designed for cars, so the gradient is a bit more forgiving that jepp track and fire roads designed for 4x4s that we MTB on. If you want to use it as a crossover bike you will need to go with something slightly easier. I rode 39/20 up to the mast and around Tokai, the only real place I struggled was the link from the start of Cork Tree to the Kistenbosch contour..... That hill is a beast. Most roads/passes are very rideable 2 to 1 RaeTrewBrowne 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaeTrewBrowne Posted December 18, 2018 Share I did the Swartberg grand fondo last year 39/20. I was forced to walk 2 or 3 parts of the climb but not for long. On a gravel bike 32/18 will be way to spinny. Basically, you 'should' be riding on roads and passes designed for cars, so the gradient is a bit more forgiving that jepp track and fire roads designed for 4x4s that we MTB on. If you want to use it as a crossover bike you will need to go with something slightly easier. I rode 39/20 up to the mast and around Tokai, the only real place I struggled was the link from the start of Cork Tree to the Kistenbosch contour..... That hill is a beast. Most roads/passes are very rideable 2 to 1 Cool beans, thanks everyone. This is great! Eldron 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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