I’ll be going over Ventoux as part of a tour in September and wondering on opinions for best gearing. I currently have 34/34 as my lowest gear and wondering whether to invest in a 32/48 crankset to give a slightly lower gear. I’m around 3w/kg at 66 years old and would probably think my current gearing ok for a one off ascent, it’s really because it’s part of a two week journey from Channel to Med that I’m considering it. Any thoughts welcome.
Gearing for Ventoux
- Thread starter YellowV2
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fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
You'll hardly notice the difference. 34x34 should be fine
Mike Ayling
Guru
- Location
- Melbourne Downunda
You could always walk some of the steeper bits!
I can highly recommend 48/32 as a crankset choice - as someone who doesn't race I find there are few occaisions I need to ride over 30mph, the difference in speed at 90rpm is 31mph with a 48/11 versus 33mph with 50/11. The low range makes more of a difference when I need it.
If you've got Shimano cranks, Absolute Black do a set of oval rings which you can retrofit without needing to do more than remove and put on new rings.
Edit to add: the low with a 32/34 is 25.5" compared to 27.1" for a 34/34, a 6% easier gear to turn, if you can fit an 11-36 cassette that would add another 6% reduction. Firmly in the you won't miss it if you don't have it but you'll be glad you did if you do camp.
If you've got Shimano cranks, Absolute Black do a set of oval rings which you can retrofit without needing to do more than remove and put on new rings.
Edit to add: the low with a 32/34 is 25.5" compared to 27.1" for a 34/34, a 6% easier gear to turn, if you can fit an 11-36 cassette that would add another 6% reduction. Firmly in the you won't miss it if you don't have it but you'll be glad you did if you do camp.
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matticus
Guru
Yeah - going from 34->32 isn't worth the hassle of a new chainset. (twould be different if you were starting from a clean sheet ...)
Is 34x34 low enough? We need someone who knows how much "3W/kg" is to assess that! I'd go with probably, but:
Very true - this is just a one-off climb, so you just need to get to the top somehow, and then gravity is your friend for the other side!
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
So, it could be a 15.5 km walk for the steeper bits!
T4tomo
Legendary Member
Are you loaded with camping gear or just you on the bike? If the latter then 34x34 is fine. its not bonkers steep, it just relentless on that 7/8km block thru the forest to Chalet Reynard. then you get some respite as you enter the moonscape. the last km is steep again but you can see the top so easy to motivate your legs to push the pedals.
Caveat this with if you are into a wild head wind, which can happen, then a 32T inner ring 'aint going to help anyway.
Caveat this with if you are into a wild head wind, which can happen, then a 32T inner ring 'aint going to help anyway.
What groupset and number of cogs do you currently have on the back?
I have a 48/31 GRX double on my gravel bike, and find that excellent for most types of riding.
The other option, depending on what your groupset is, could be to add a longer cage RD, and pop a cassette with a 36 on there - that's what I did for my daughters first roadbike, that came with a very uncharitable largest rear cog of 27!
That was a 9spd though, so it depends on what the various costs are.
If however you are looking to move wholesale and stick with a 48/32 or 31 (would be even better) chainset, even after you return, then perhaps that is the better investment - fit and forget.
I have a 48/31 GRX double on my gravel bike, and find that excellent for most types of riding.
The other option, depending on what your groupset is, could be to add a longer cage RD, and pop a cassette with a 36 on there - that's what I did for my daughters first roadbike, that came with a very uncharitable largest rear cog of 27!
That was a 9spd though, so it depends on what the various costs are.
If however you are looking to move wholesale and stick with a 48/32 or 31 (would be even better) chainset, even after you return, then perhaps that is the better investment - fit and forget.
So, it could be a 15.5 km walk for the steeper bits!
Yup I'd be walking the whole way past km 6! Even then I'd be stopping for breathers!
I wouldn't even get up that on the Orbea Gain on full assist. I'd need the 85nm motor on the eMTB!
I am on Campagnolo SR with 11/34 cassette. I could get a Chorus front 48/32 chain set but don’t normally need it, it would be just for this trip and possibly future similar rides. I have ridden similar length climbs at slightly lower averages on a 32 rear previously.
matticus
Guru
True!
... but Emily Chappell walked approx the whole 2nd half of the climb - into a headwind, in the dark - as part of her (self-supported, obvs) TCR ride. With about 600km in her legs. (It's in her wonderful book!)
So anyone can get up it, on any bike, if determined ...
N0bodyOfTheGoat
Über Member
- Location
- Hampshire, UK
Do you have a smart turbo and an app like Zwift that has Ventoux, such as Zwift's Ven Top?
Given the odd virtual climb I've done of this monster, I suspect it's going to take you approx 2+ hours at endurance pace.
Any local hills of similar ~8% gradient you can climb and descend for 2+ hours and see how you do with current gearing?
I can't be certain, but I think this Ven Top ride was 100% trainer difficulty with 34/50 rings and 11-34 when I was approx 78-80Kg back in Xmas '20, so ~2.5W/Kg and a z2 endurance effort.
Given the odd virtual climb I've done of this monster, I suspect it's going to take you approx 2+ hours at endurance pace.
Any local hills of similar ~8% gradient you can climb and descend for 2+ hours and see how you do with current gearing?
I can't be certain, but I think this Ven Top ride was 100% trainer difficulty with 34/50 rings and 11-34 when I was approx 78-80Kg back in Xmas '20, so ~2.5W/Kg and a z2 endurance effort.
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No camping gear just me on the bike. Incidentally I should have added am going up from Malaucene not Bedoin.
Have you considered just fitting a 32 inner in place of the 34?
I'm sure it is outside of the recommended teeth difference, but in my experience when I swapped a 39 on a 53/39 for a 36, it behaves perfectly - that is DA 9100 in case that makes any difference.
How much is an entire chainset?
The inner ring on it's own is probably relative pennies - my genuine DA inner was £36 iirc.
Arguably, for speed and simplicity, it would be easier to just swap out the entire crankset, although you'd need to swap pedals as well I suppose.
Do you know yet whether you can have a suitable chain length that would accommodate both setups, and or will you also have to tinker with the FD height, relative to the largest cog I wonder?
