How low can you get?

[JC4LAB]

Do you really need a granny gear?What the lowest you can get and do you really need it?

 

[alecstilleyedye]

30 x 25 and yes, if the climb's a real steep one (road bike).

not sure on mtb but looks like about 26 x 28, but as mtb is heavier that the road bike it works out about the same in terms of work rate.

 

[Keith Oates]

Some hills are really steep and a granny gear is better than walking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Tim Bennet.]

26x34

For the last 4 zig-zags on the Galibier (after the tunnel entrance), on a fully loaded camping tourer, in the sleety rain after already doing the Izoard that morning?

The answer is yes I did need it, thank you very much.

 

[JC4LAB]

I have been looking at the Dahon Jack ..It is a folding mountain bike and has a lowest gear of 37" and wonder if this is low enough

 

[BentMikey]

24" here on my recumbent. 38x32, and on a 406 wheel.

 

[simon_adams_uk]

On my MTB - 20x34
That can get you up the north face of the Eiger :-)

S

 

[Elmer Fudd]

Old bike (well, new bike but stolen), 24 front, 30 rear.
Going up towards Ipsley Church from Pikes Pool (a hill to me), Arrow Valley Park, Redditch.
I got overtaken by a bloody duck walking up the road !!

Oh !! The shame !!

 

[Charlotte_C+ :-)]

Old bike (well, new bike but stolen), 24 front, 30 rear.
Going up towards Ipsley Church from Pikes Pool (a hill to me), Arrow Valley Park, Redditch.
I got overtaken by a bloody duck walking up the road !!

Oh !! The shame !!

Least it wasn`t a snail Elmer

 

[laurence]

Old bike (well, new bike but stolen), 24 front, 30 rear.
Going up towards Ipsley Church from Pikes Pool (a hill to me), Arrow Valley Park, Redditch.
I got overtaken by a bloody duck walking up the road !!

Oh !! The shame !!

that's just Daffy

L

 

[Rhythm Thief]

42X25 (I think) on my semi - roadie, 26X30 on my tourer. Although I find low gears are not really necessary when all you use your bikes for is hanging up in the shed.

 

[Intelligenthamster]

I have arthritis . I need my granny gear.

 

[TheDoctor]

24*26 on the road bike for a 25" gear. A bit overkill even for the Alps, but I'd sooner have a lower gear than I actually need.
I'd intended to go 26*26, but the LBS was out of 26T chainrings. My excuse and I'm sticking to it!

 

[Arch]

I'd have thought the lowest you need is the one that keeps you moving just above stalling speed. So one for a bike, and a much lower one for a trike, where you can travel at much less than walking pace without falling over.

I have no idea about numbers and stuff..

 

[palinurus]

42 x 25 or 42 x 23, depending on bike. Most of the hills round my way are short and steep or longer but not so steep. All are honking distance if necessary. If I was going to go up a cocking great mountain: 25 x 42.

I've no idea what the lowest gear on my Brompton is. I put a littler chainring on it tho'.