53x39, 12x23...suitable for sport touring?

Since 2001, over 90,000 cyclist's have joined Cycling Forums to discuss topics from general cycling to equipment, training, racing and travel or vacation destinations (especially in europe during the tour de france). We also feature an great deals in our online store, 100's of articles, classifieds and product reviews.

Chainrings: 53X39, 12X23 cogs
I may be buying a used marinoni ciclo with this gearing
(the newer models come with 3 chain rings and lower gearing)
...is this too high for climbing hills?

It's with shimano 105 gruppo, by the way.

Originally posted by canali
Chainrings: 53X39, 12X23 cogs
I may be buying a used marinoni ciclo with this gearing
(the newer models come with 3 chain rings and lower gearing)
...is this too high for climbing hills?

It's with shimano 105 gruppo, by the way.

How much do you weigh?
How much does your "Sport Touring Load" weigh?
How steep and long of grades will you be riding?
How much power can you put out? .. and for how long?
At what speed will you be willing to get off and walk?
Shimano 105 is a good value.

Good questions to think about.

Even when I don't do sport touring but encounter huge hills (Assault on Mt Mitchell, 6-Gap in Georga) I find that a double can handle quite a bit.

Remember that the STOCK-9-speed double 105 can support a 12x27 on the rear and (with new chain) this is about a $60 upgrade.

I actually use a 13x30 for the mega climbs mentioned. the stock road rear derailleurs cannot handle the 30 (even the road triples) but the Shimano mountain bike rear derailleurs will work with the 105 and that is how I do it. So that is how my light-tourer/racer is setup this way.

An all-around-tourer setup is better if it is a triple with a rear deraillure that is a mountain bike style so if you do load it down you can put a large gear on the back.

I am currently searching my options for a all-arounder and it will probably be set up with DuraAce triple STI with a XTR rear derailleur.