50/28 is the lowest ratio readily available on Shimano and it’s still not going to be easy getting up a 27% gradient three times. I don’t think they’re going to all change to triple cranksets for one day.
jules
i set my gearing up especially for big mountain rides, like the Alpine Classic. you’d think pro teams would be able to afford new cranks..
Pete
50t ring is the smallest for the big ring. They’re definitely not climbing that hill in the big ring… Not even the first time around let alone the 3rd time around.
You’re right, I meant 34/28. Doesn’t change my point though.
Michael
Seriously mate; you can run lower than 34/28 without the need to go to a triple. You haven’t heard of compact cranks? You haven’t heard of SRAM wifi? You can even run 34/32. And yes, the pros WILL run such ratios “just for one day”. Cobo rode a 34/32 setup the year he won the Vuelta [2011] when he was riding the Angliru. Nibali rode 34/29 that day. See – 34/28 isn’t the lowest ratio.
Hey “mate”, I said Shimano. They have 30 tooth cassettes and RDs but only in 105. And 34 IS compact. (And compact is meaningless on Dura Ace 9000.)
JD
Holy crap. Arden street roundabout to Allison Rd is about 300 metres with an average of about 16%, peaking at about 22% I think. And that’s a lung burster. Almost double the incline here. Ouch. What makes it worse are all the punters on the sides laughiong and taking pictures. :-(
