Gears and Hills

[paulb55]

Hi Everybody and Happy New Year,

I am going to be getting a new bike but :-

My old bike has a 9 speed cassette, 11-32 and 48/36/26 triple chainset and i really need that granny gear (32-26) when i am going up BIG hills

My new bike has a 9 speed cassette, 11-34 and 50-34 compact chainset

Question is, will i lose my granny gear as the lowest gear i can go to will be the 34-34 which is QUITE a difference to 32-26 but will those extra cogs REALLY make a difference as i do struggle up BIG hills at my tender age of 55, so let me know what you all think plus i like the idea that i can have a plan B granny gear when i do hit a big hill

 

[HLaB]

From Machine head gear calculator the lowest gear from you tripple is 21.34 inch and on your new compact 26.27inch, so yes the new bike will be marginally harder to begin with, it depends upon you fitness and terrain as too how much it'll impact you; I doubt it will at all and you'll soon get used to it, good luck.