Gravel - what’s your gearing look like?

[nobuseri]

I am talking hilly courses; 8%+ at times.

Anyone running 46/30 front? If so, what rear?
Trying to stay 2X; right now I have a 46/36 front. I may just go 34 or 36 rear and see how it goes.

Thanks

[weisan]

Trying to stay 2X

I heard you.

I went from 1X to 2X and finally, to a triple.

Couldn't be happier.

30-42-52 front
11-36 rear

I like to cover all my bases.

I don't like to strain myself going up a hill.

I like having a bail-out gear.

[AngryScientist]

46/30 x 11/32 (9-speed).

[saab2000]

34/46 in front and 11-32 in the rear.

I'm thinking I may get Shimano's still-unavailable GRX group when they are available to the public. This will have even lower gearing.

[type2sam]

My Honey Cross setup is kinda crazy, but I've got a 50/34 up front and depending upon the wheelset I'm using either 11-40 (when I'm out in the woods on single track or the big hills of Western Mass) or 11-28 when I've got the road slicks on.

It's not perfect but I seem to have arrived at the right amount of chain + long cage derailleur + RoadLink to make it all work well enough.

I like the idea of a 46/30 and a smaller variance in cassettes.

On my Mercian I've got a 48/38/24 with an 11-28 cassette. Almost the same gear inches on the low end as the 34x40 on the Honey. The jump from the 38 to the 24 is always a bit dicey...many a dropped chain.

[stev0]

42/28 up front, 11-32 in the rear.

[owly]

Running 1 below 1:1 at the moment. One more below that (unloaded) and I feel that would cover the longest/steepest grades I come across. 40/26 with 12/27.

[SlowPokePete]

Lynskey 46/30 with 34 rear...11spd.


SPP

[XXtwindad]

I have two gravel bikes. One is a few weeks away from being built up and the other is being built. I don't have any flat roads near me. Just a bunch of big hills. And my bike travels will also entail some big hills (Alps, etc...) So my gearing reflects that. With a 1X, you lose something - either on the top ends or the climbs. I'd rather do a little coasting downhill.

Bike # 1: 40t in front 10-42 in back.
Bike # 2: 36t in front 9-46 in back. That's my "climb anything" steed

[ShockTreatment]

I've done Hilly Billy and GRUSK -- twice each. Gearing was 10 speed with 48-34 front and either 12-29 or 12-30 in the rear. Grades were 10% or more at times. Gearing was adequate, although I would have preferred having a 32 in the rear.

[Gummee]

Originally Posted by ShockTreatment

I've done Hilly Billy and GRUSK -- twice each. Gearing was 10 speed with 48-34 front and either 12-29 or 12-30 in the rear. Grades were 10% or more at times. Gearing was adequate, although I would have preferred having a 32 in the rear.

I've done HBR on 34/50 every time with cassettes varying between 11/28 (my fastest time) to 11/34 for the last few years.

Last year when my legs forgot to show up, I was on an 11-32

I think I'll go to a 30t big cog for next year

M

[GregL]

My chainrings are 46/34 and my cassettes are 11-28, 11-32, or 11-34 depending on the terrain. The 34-34 combo is nice on steep grades with loose, rutted gravel.

Greg

[dem]

Double with 44/28 and 10-44.

I use the 28-44 every ride on the dirt.

[Jaybee]

48/32 up front and 11/36 out back. Not sure my (RD R8000)could handle any more chain wrap without a road link. 32x11 is already looser than I like, but it’s an easy gear to stay out of. 32x36 is just barely enough for the longest loosest climbs I’ve ridden on this bike, but it would be easy to find harder out here.

If this weren’t my only road bike, I’d just go 1x.

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by dem

Double with 44/28 and 10-44.

I use the 28-44 every ride on the dirt.

Wow. That's a wide range. Impressive. That will get you up the Coastal Trail for sure. This is a ten speed set-up? What's the derailleur and who makes the crank?