Gravel Bike Gear Ratio

[bleedToWin]

1 minute ago, Jbr said:

I missed that part, did you get a gpx file ? Might then put the 10-52 on... Not sure if I want to put on the small chainring though, at Gallows it was really *** on the fast/flat sections

GPX is on the website yes.  
The climb is steep but so short that it shouldn't matter much (not considering the surface which might make it tricky). It's nothing (from the profile at least) compared to Houw Hoek's stairway to heaven climb for instance.

[Jbr]

3 minutes ago, bleedToWin said:

GPX is on the website yes.  
The climb is steep but so short that it shouldn't matter much (not considering the surface which might make it tricky). It's nothing (from the profile at least) compared to Houw Hoek's stairway to heaven climb for instance.

ja okay, that one was a bit *** even on 46/50

[Naidy]

There are so much options, Shimano does kind of limit those and Sram offers more. Especially that 10T on the cassette, it allows you to run a smaller chain ring. A 48T chainring coupled with a 10/33 cassette gets you a lot of speed on the road so ill agree with guys, 50T is over kill. 

 

If you not wanting to go electronic look at getting a SRAM CX1 groupset and then have a look on Ratio Technologies website. They have gear options changing it from 11 speed to 12, that opens up options like E13 cassettes and even Mullet setups all while keeping speed with a smaller chaining.  They even have a gear setup up to change to 13 speed Campy Ekar cassette allowing you to run a 9/42 cassette. 

 

My opinion would be to run Sram as you can get the speed you looking for. assuming I understood that's what you looking for. 

Edited September 18 by Naidy

[Jbr]

I’ve got 10-50 and a 46T chainring, and I do all my training on the gravel bike. I do not need a harder gear, occasionally mike for gallows 8 need easier gears (went 10-52 and a 42T for that one)

i would recommend mullet setup if you’re not too difficult with your cadence, with a massive cassette you’ve got the range and enough gears, you’ll only really be on the extremes of the cassettes if it’s stupid fast (like road descent) or stupid steep, the rest of the time it’s a straight chainline.

i’d stay away feom shimano for 1x as their 10T cogs are crap and after 2 sprints they slip. But if you go 2x, then I’d go shimano because their front shift works.

[SG Laubscher]

I think for SA gravel roads the best setup is a mullet setup with GX or XX1 rear derailleur. I have a 1 x setup with 46T chainring and Helix 9-52 cassette and I feel this strikes a nice balance on gearing. It also means you have top end equal to a 50T chaining and enough gears for climbing. You will just need a smaller chaining like a 40/42T for big climbs like Gallows or Swartberg. 

[RobertWhitehead]

Fantastic, thank you very much everyone, I think I have a nice balance on paper now: 

Mullet (If I understand the term correctly its a mix of MTB and gravel / road) 

In the front 2x 36/50T

Rear: 11/46T

 

I currently run a 53/36T on the trainer with a 11/46T (which evidently only goes to the 3rd gear 😱 - need to fiddle with the limits) and this is somewhat tough on the steep bits. Thinking about it, I may even go 48

[Cam13]

Currently running 1x 11 setup with a 44t up front and a 9/46 on the rear. Covers hanging with the roadies to all the climbing👌

Gear ratios in screenshot.

[Michael S]

2 hours ago, Cam13 said:

Currently running 1x 11 setup with a 44t up front and a 9/46 on the rear. Covers hanging with the roadies to all the climbing👌

Gear ratios in screenshot.

What derailleur and shifters are you running with this setup?

[Cam13]

44 minutes ago, Michael S said:

What derailleur and shifters are you running with this setup?

I’m running sram rival shifters and RD with a long cage