Gears for Touring

[TheDoctor]

Hmmm. My tourer currently has a 40T chainset and a 12-32 seven speed cassette.
That's 88" 74" 66" 59" 50" 41" 33"
Granted, I'd sooner have a lower bottom gear and I could live without the 88" top, but it sort-of works. I don't carry much luggage, and there's very little to go wrong on that set-up. Plus, I was building it up the evening before I went, so I had to use what I had. It's all fun!!

 

[Bodhbh]

That's the key to correct gear setup - get the bottom gear low enough and don't worry too much about the top gear.

I think even with MTB gearing you don't spin out till the mid-30s. Personally, my eyes start watering around then and I'm starting to finger the brakes anyhow.

 

[just jim]

I have a standard Deore chainset 26-36-48 with an 11-34 rear cassette. I was able to reach the Lecht for a coffee and burger alright (loaded with camping stuff) but I relied on that low low gear to get up, even if it's slower than walking!

 

[Dave Davenport]

I run a 26-36-46 x 12-27 on 26" wheels. It's been fine fully loaded on short steep UK climbs and long alpine ones.