SS Question

Ride-A-Lot said:

I have the opportunity to take ownership of a size small Surly SS. It
needs a little work (OK a lot of work), but what the heck. I am one
who uses everyone of my gears on a good day. With that said, what
would the recommended gear setup for a new SS "gear lover" rider be?

Small in front, big in back.

Bill "oh wait, that's Mrs. Vandem*n" S.

Ride-A-Lot said:

I have the opportunity to take ownership of a size small Surly SS. It
needs a little work (OK a lot of work), but what the heck. I am one
who uses everyone of my gears on a good day. With that said, what
would the recommended gear setup for a new SS "gear lover" rider be?

That's a very subjective question.
I run 32x17 and it's good for the flatter stuff (the stuff in the photos I
just posted is about as steep as I can take).
That ratio and my legs are no good for Crested Butte riding where the climbs
tend to be steeper and longer.

If I were you, I'd start playing with ratios on your geared bike to see what
a happy medium might be for you.
My ratio is about equivalent to middle/middle on my geared bike.

Matt

PS so you're into pain?

"Ride-A-Lot" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have the opportunity to take ownership of a size small Surly SS. It
needs a little work (OK a lot of work), but what the heck. I am one who
uses everyone of my gears on a good day. With that said, what would the
recommended gear setup for a new SS "gear lover" rider be?

Its all a matter of preference. The "standard" is 32x16. I ride 32x18
because I like to spin.

- CA-G

Can-Am Girls Kick Ass!

Ride-A-Lot said:

I have the opportunity to take ownership of a size small Surly SS. It
needs a little work (OK a lot of work), but what the heck. I am one who
uses everyone of my gears on a good day. With that said, what would the
recommended gear setup for a new SS "gear lover" rider be?

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

I concur that 2 to 1 is a good starting point. But if your trails tend to be steep, your knees will love you if you run a little lighter. I'm running a 32x20, with 180mm s. Works for me.

cdb-paladin

Chris Brown said:

Ride-A-Lot said:

I have the opportunity to take ownership of a size small Surly SS. It
needs a little work (OK a lot of work), but what the heck. I am one
who
uses everyone of my gears on a good day. With that said, what would
the
recommended gear setup for a new SS "gear lover" rider be?

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

I concur that 2 to 1 is a good starting point. But if your trails tend
to be steep, your knees will love you if you run a little lighter. I'm
running a 32x20, with 180mm s. Works for me.

cdb-paladin

Steep but short.

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

Ride-A-Lot said:

Chris Brown said:

Ride-A-Lot said:

I have the opportunity to take ownership of a size small Surly SS. It
needs a little work (OK a lot of work), but what the heck. I am
one who
uses everyone of my gears on a good day. With that said, what would
the
recommended gear setup for a new SS "gear lover" rider be?

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

I concur that 2 to 1 is a good starting point. But if your trails
tend to be steep, your knees will love you if you run a little
lighter. I'm running a 32x20, with 180mm s. Works for me.

cdb-paladin

Steep but short.

Then just carry plenty of momentum into the climbs.

Matt

Ride-A-Lot said:

Chris Brown said:

Ride-A-Lot said:

I have the opportunity to take ownership of a size small Surly SS. It
needs a little work (OK a lot of work), but what the heck. I am
one who
uses everyone of my gears on a good day. With that said, what would
the
recommended gear setup for a new SS "gear lover" rider be?

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

I concur that 2 to 1 is a good starting point. But if your trails
tend to be steep, your knees will love you if you run a little
lighter. I'm running a 32x20, with 180mm s. Works for me.

cdb-paladin

Steep but short.

Then just carry plenty of momentum into the climbs.

Matt

Ride-A-Lot said:

Chris Brown said:

Ride-A-Lot said:

I have the opportunity to take ownership of a size small Surly SS. It
needs a little work (OK a lot of work), but what the heck. I am one
who
uses everyone of my gears on a good day. With that said, what would
the
recommended gear setup for a new SS "gear lover" rider be?

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

I concur that 2 to 1 is a good starting point. But if your trails tend
to be steep, your knees will love you if you run a little lighter. I'm
running a 32x20, with 180mm s. Works for me.

cdb-paladin

Steep but short.

I like the 32x17, and I would run wild on steep and short.
You'll like it on the flats if you can go 2:1 or so.

Once the hills get long (let's say over 2 miles of
significant grade) then I'm toast with 2:1 or near.

Even moderate grades are difficult over longer distances.
On my Seattle trip I did about 6 miles of constant 4-6%
grade with a fair bit of tech roots and rocks thrown in (on
the 32x17). It was pretty challenging, but actually quite
fun.

One of my fave trails here rises 500ft/mile...something
around 10% avg, and I can get about 2-3 miles up (if I'm in
good shape) b4 I bonk with the 32x17. It's quite a push
tho.

Gman "just ride baby, you'll figger it out"