A Gearing Question?

Donald is worried that his gear cassette may not have a wide enough gearing for his weekend riding on hills and flat? We put his mind at rest on his gearing and explain the differences with chain ring teeth

Question:
For hills and flat would a 12/27 cluster be OK for weekend riding road bike?

Hi Donald,

Yes it should be good for most any road conditions, but this depends on two things; first how fit you are and second which chain rings you have at the front. With a 52 or a 53 tooth out side chain ring you would have a big enough gear with the 12 sprocket for any descent or very fast riding.

Now with a small chain ring of 42 teeth and the 27 sprocket you might struggle on the very steep climbs, but if it’s a 39 tooth chain ring you have then with the 27 sprocket you could climb just about anything!

Unless you are carrying panniers on a touring holiday then you should be OK. Remember the difference of one tooth at the rear will not make a big change to the gearing, where as a tooth at the front can make a big difference, especially on the small chain ring.