Do mountainbikes have to many gears ?

[MoreTrails]

 

anyone know whicg guide absolon was using' date=' its not the mrp x.1 that adam craig designed......he was also riding single CR at worlds....so about 4 guys.....[/quote']

 

Go have a look at Vitalmtb.com and have a look through pics from WChamps Day 3, I think. There is a picture of the chain guide up close - completely custom though...

 

Steve Peat is the new world champ for DH by the way - finally the man breaks the curse!!!

 

[Thug]

 

I'm running 2x9on my Scandal and am happy with the gear ratios.

 

I have 2x9 but need new blades. Anybody know where I can get 94bcd blades?

 

Which crank you using ?

 

I'm using a normal XT crank and fitted SLX chainrings (26/36). Manged to even get the bashguard on from the SLX crank with a bit of dremel work.

 

[Brad@TheRiot]

darnijl - what DH bike do you ride?

 

I reckon it's all personal preference. For most  recreational cyclists, I reckon a 2x8 would great. No need for the 44, they're not racing... and the 8spd would last longer (chains &rings etc).

 

IMO, 3x9 is more of a marketing ploy than 2x10 is.

 

I run s/s, 32/16 and I love it. Mostly commuting and a bit of spruit riding (more than adequate for the Spruit).  I'd enjoy it at fountains and van Gaalens too. Anything more hilly than that, and I'd prefer a 36  to a 11-34 with a chain guide. That should be good

 

[Overlord]

 

I'm running 2x9on my Scandal and am happy with the gear ratios.

 

I have 2x9 but need new blades. Anybody know where I can get 94bcd blades?

 

Which crank you using ?

 

I'm using a normal XT crank and fitted SLX chainrings (26/36). Manged to even get the bashguard on from the SLX crank with a bit of dremel work.

 

Using a Cannondale Crank. Came of a Teambike.  94bcd is not that easy to find.

 

[Tumbleweed]

darnijl - what DH bike do you ride?I reckon it's all personal preference. For most? recreational cyclists' date=' I reckon a 2x8 would great. No need for the 44, they're not racing... and the 8spd would last longer (chains &rings etc). IMO, 3x9 is more of a marketing ploy than 2x10 is.I run s/s, 32/16 and I love it. Mostly commuting and a bit of spruit riding (more than adequate for the Spruit).? I'd enjoy it at fountains and van Gaalens too. Anything more hilly than that, and I'd prefer a 36? to a 11-34 with a chain guide. That should be good

 

[/quote']

 

 

 

not a marketing ploy. this allows access to the market. same as entry level road rigs have trips up front. it's experienced guys like you who can play with ratios.

[rock]

 

Go have a look at Vitalmtb.com and have a look through pics from WChamps Day 3' date=' I think. There is a picture of the chain guide up close - completely custom though...[/quote']

 

 

 

I see he went for a seat tube clam rather than BB mount.....

 

 

 

http://www.canadiancyclist.com/races09/mtbworlds/partten/images/_ADSC0090.jpg

[NotSoBigBen]

The cynic in me also says that it's just a way to sell more stuff, like compact cranks, triples for road, rotor cranks etc.

[darnijl]

 

darnijl - what DH bike do you ride?

 

I reckon it's all personal preference. For most  recreational cyclists' date=' I reckon a 2x8 would great. No need for the 44, they're not racing... and the 8spd would last longer (chains &rings etc).

 

IMO, 3x9 is more of a marketing ploy than 2x10 is.

 

I run s/s, 32/16 and I love it. Mostly commuting and a bit of spruit riding (more than adequate for the Spruit).  I'd enjoy it at fountains and van Gaalens too. Anything more hilly than that, and I'd prefer a 36  to a 11-34 with a chain guide. That should be good

 

[/quote']

 

Kona Stab 2005 (DHX4) with 2001 Marzocchi Monster T

 

 

[MoreTrails]

Yeah, interesting set up. I have a HT that I have built with a 3-speed set, one gar for going up, one for tooling along, one for going down...

 

Any advice from the mense out there:

I am keen to build up a double crankset - whats a good combo of rings & do I need spacers?

If i want to make a compact set would using a 32-22 set + like a 11/12-25 cassette give decent ratios. Or would it be better to try run a 34/36 and "standard" mtb cassette like 11-32.

Bearing in mind this needs to work on a dual sus trail bike with 5"

 

Also, what kind of intermediate rings can one get - choices seem limited

 

[danlate]

 

Go have a look at Vitalmtb.com and have a look through pics from WChamps Day 3' date=' I think. There is a picture of the chain guide up close - completely custom though...[/quote']

 

 

 

I see he went for a seat tube clam rather than BB mount.....

 

 

 

http://www.canadiancyclist.com/races09/mtbworlds/partten/images/_ADSC0090.jpg

 

 

 

thats a prototype e-13 guide

[Aurora]

A bit off topic but does absalons bottom tube look bent?

 

 

 

Iv run 1 ring at the front a few times, it works well on flat courses with small sharp climbs. But normally just use 2 rings up front.

[LEMOND]

Just to put a spanner in the works! -- from a weight point of view it would be better to keep the 3 blades and go for a 11 - 27

[shrubber]

+1 on the Rohloff!!!!! One chainring, no derailleur....can't get better than that

[MoreTrails]

 

Just to put a spanner in the works! -- from a weight point of view it would be better to keep the 3 blades and go for a 11 - 27

 

Not to fussed about the weight to much, but looking for something compact. Tighter chain, smaller chainring to get (less) snagged on stuff. Also find I don't really use 3 chainrings, so why keep 'em...

 

Besides, one pushes what gears you have on the mountain... So any recommendations about making up a 2 ring crackset?

 

[MoreTrails]

And how do smaller cassettes handle mtb conditions? I suppose one would have to use an Ultegra (XT equivilent?) casette to get a tighter range?

[LEMOND]

True Smaller caset will have higher wear, but will be better on flat fast races because of the close ratio.

 

 

 

Look at what gearing you use the most then look at a gear calculator to see what ratio will suit you best.