Changing my gearing up

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Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2018-08-10 11:40 PM

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Fort Rucker, Alabama
Subject: Changing my gearing up
I have recently gotten back into cycling and using zwift a lot. On some of the 10-12% grades zwift throws at me, I am barely able to keep 70-75rpm cadence which is something I would like to improve.

I am looking at changing my gearing up to have an easier time climbing. My bike currently has a 53-39 chainring with a 10 speed 12-25 cassette. I also have a 12-26 cassette available so I will probably switch that over.

I am considering switching to Rotor Qrings but cannot decide what tooth counts to go with. My gut is telling me to go with 52-36 as I am generally happy with where I am on the large chainring. I have played around with sheldon brown's gear calculator website and see the numbers changing, but I have a hard time applying those to real world effect. Anyone have advice on how to pick up about 15 RPM during the climbs?

2018-08-11 5:19 AM
in reply to: red66stang

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Elite
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PEI, Canada
Subject: RE: Changing my gearing up

Go compact with a 50/34 (although you will probably need a new crankset, not just chainrings).  My combination is 50/34 with 11-28 cassette and it covers the entire range I need.  When I am indoors on a trainer and want closer spacing in the gears I use an 11-23 cassette.

2018-08-12 12:09 PM
in reply to: red66stang


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Subject: RE: Changing my gearing up
Originally posted by red66stang

I have recently gotten back into cycling and using zwift a lot. On some of the 10-12% grades zwift throws at me, I am barely able to keep 70-75rpm cadence which is something I would like to improve.

I am looking at changing my gearing up to have an easier time climbing. My bike currently has a 53-39 chainring with a 10 speed 12-25 cassette. I also have a 12-26 cassette available so I will probably switch that over.

I am considering switching to Rotor Qrings but cannot decide what tooth counts to go with. My gut is telling me to go with 52-36 as I am generally happy with where I am on the large chainring. I have played around with sheldon brown's gear calculator website and see the numbers changing, but I have a hard time applying those to real world effect. Anyone have advice on how to pick up about 15 RPM during the climbs?


Or stick with what you've got and dial back the realism in Zwift? That's a much easier solution 70 RPMs isn't bad, it'll make you stronger That's about what I did the one time I decided to ride Zwift Du'ez. 60 minutes of 70 RPM in 39/28. . . that was a real fun time I decided half way through that ride that I was going to load up my cross bike next time I decided to do that.

The 53 is an absolute must for group rides and the 39 is far superior over a 34 unless we're talking about 10 minute plus climbs.
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