Circumnavigating Britain - Advice Please!

[Dogtrousers]

Hi guys,

can't thank enough for the gears discussion - impressive amount of research going into helping some moron out! Definitely a bit lost in all the discussion about gear ratios and so on - no idea how much I'd feel the difference between a 28" and a 20" but it sounds large. I'll head into my LBS and see if they have ideas about replacing the rear D or the chainset. Hadn't really considered replacing components as I figured it would get prohibitively expensive but I'd probably be happy to spend £50 or so if it means I'll be getting off and pushing less. thanks for Maps With Me too, looks great.

Cheers

On that subject, I'd pay more attention to @mmmmartin than to me. I'm no expert: my idea of "heavily laden" is an extra packet of fig rolls and a pair of clean socks, but looking at the spec (which I may have got wrong) of your bike I do think it has quite "sporty" gearing. Probably too sporty for laden touring, unless you have incredibly strong and tireless legs.

IME the difference between 35" and 28" is the difference between misery/walking, and slow but sustainable grinding uphill when tired. Add some luggage on, and I expect the difference between 28" and 20" would be the similar.

I don't think it'll be an expensive job to reduce your bottom gear. Just a bit head-scratching to decide what to do (RD, sprockets, chainrings, will this still be compatible with that etc).

 

[jay clock]

re the gearing, I like easy gears. On my roadbikes over many years i have worked out that a 34 front and 27 rear can get me anywhere. However my first tour, I had a Dawes Galaxy with a 30/40/50 and probably 28 or 30 at the back. I replaced the front with another one with I think 24 inner ring.. The back I may have changed to perhaps a 28. I could not believe what a difference it made for me. My mate had tougher gears and we both got up hills the same pace, so it is different folks different strokes. You need to work out what suits you

 

[steveindenmark]

Charlie. Just to let you know a circumnavigation of Britain must include riding through the town of Withernsea on the East Yorkshire coast.
Everybody misses that stretch of coastline out. It's like cutting corners.

Steve

 

[stephenjubb]

Charlie. Just to let you know a circumnavigation of Britain must include riding through the town of Withernsea on the East Yorkshire coast.
Everybody misses that stretch of coastline out. It's like cutting corners.

Steve

I live in East Yorkshire and you are correct. If you like solitude and scenery try Spurn Point. It has campsites and is so peaceful!

 

[charlieboy528]

Hi Steve and Stephen - I'll bear it in mind! I've got a friend in Hull but I promise I'll swing right round the point before going to visit.

Jay/Dogtrousers - definitely keen to sneak in a bit of extra gearing help but still had no time to get to my LBS. I'll throw out an update about it when I get there!

Cheers guys,

Charlie

 

[toekneep]

Charlie. Just to let you know a circumnavigation of Britain must include riding through the town of Withernsea on the East Yorkshire coast.
Everybody misses that stretch of coastline out. It's like cutting corners.

Steve

Ha ha, my wife and I were watching Country File on Sunday and they were on Spurn Point. I remarked that we ought to go there on our circumnavigation and she agreed completely. So we will be passing through Withernsea for sure.

 

[steveindenmark]

You had better hurry up with Spurn Point Charlie. :0)