Gear range

BentBierz

Well-Known Member
As I have mentioned in a few other threads, I am most likely going to build my new Silvio with a Rohloff Speedhub. I love the hub and its gear range, especially with a double up front.

For arguments sake though, if I was to go with conventional gearing, what cadence vs. speed would indicate that I had probably spec'd a low enough gear? As an example, if SRAM made it, I would probably run a combination of Red/Force 22 components but would feel much better about my gearing if I had an 11-36 in the back with a 50-34 up front. Unfortunately, to have this gearing, I would have to go with a 10 speed MTB cassette/derailleur set up. Obviously not the end of the world but if I was to go conventional with my new Silvio, I would rather invest my money in the newer 11 speed components.

I'm 6' and 230 lbs but could stand to lose 15 lbs, 20 at the most. So even if I was in top form, I'm still a Clydesdale and worry more about my low end gearing than the more stealthy amongst us. An 11-32 with a compact up front would be more than adequate for Houston but we like to load our bikes up and take them to rides in other states...all not as flat as Houston.

BTW...I know a triple solves a lot of this but I want to run disc brakes and don't think Shimano's Ultegra triple brifters would work with their disc brakes...SRAM's components currently seem to give me the best overall integration of components.

Any and all opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
 

Charles.Plager

Recumbent Quant
Hi,
I'm personally a big


Hi,

I'm personally a big triple person (both in terms of liking triples and in terms of being big :) ). I'm annoyed that Shimano and SRAM are deprecating triples, but it is what it is. (I run a 50/39/24 on my Mantis)

For your particular situation, setup up a bunch of different virtual bikes (here's my Cruzigami Mantis), put cadence numbers in for yourself and see what's what.

Cheers,
Charles
 

BentBierz

Well-Known Member
Hi Eric,I have worked with

Hi Eric,

I have worked with many gear calculators over the years and, since becoming interested in Rohloffs in 2009, have spent a lot of time making gearing comparisons between Rohloff and conventional set-ups. Even more interesting is when I was trying to figure out which way to go on our trikes. We ended up going with Rohloffs on the rear and Schlumpf HSDs on the front. BTW, the gear calculaor I tend to use the most is HPV Drivetrain Analyzer (http://www.soulbikes.com/gears/). My only issue with it is not being able to save multiple configurations with it (or at least I haven't figured out the secret to doing it yet).

Going with the Rohloff, there is no issue with me getting the low gear (lower than I probably need) and as high of gear as I need with good steps in between. But, I am a little concerned with setting up the Silvio with a Rohloff, not just because I will have to do a little drop out mod, but wondering how the additional weight will affect handling. For all I know, and I certainly don't know, it may help steering but may not.

If I went conventional I also wouldn't have to share the wheel with my ER. This would be less of an issue if my ER used the same axle plate as the Silvio. With the ER I have the Rohloff dropout which uses a completely different axle plate than the OEM2 used on a non-Rohloff dropout bike. It only takes 5-10 minutes to change out the axle plates but everytime you do this you run the risk of stripping or bunging up the fine threads that hold the axle plate on. Also, I in no way have the funds right now to buy a brand new Rohloff just for the Silvio. If I do end up using the Rohloff and liking it on the Silvio, maybe sometime next year I can get it it's very own Rohloff. ;)

Ah, decisions, decisions...I need to decide soon so that I can start getting parts ordered and get the bike assembled. As I've mentioned elsewhere, due to my back I am going to start out on the trainer and my surgeon has already given me the go ahead to do that so times-a-wastin' contemplating the options.
 

Eric Winn

Zen MBB Master
Rohloff on trainer?

Now that you mention Rohloff's and trainers in the same breath, any issues with using your Rohloff bike on your trainer?

I bought a Wahoo KICKR which requires removing the wheel and using the cassette on the KICKR. This would be a sticking point with me for considering Rohloff as I could probably still switch between the two but it would be decidely weird. As it stands now, I have a different cassette on my Vendetta than what is on the KICKR but I figure I will go ahead and get them the same during my repair/rebuild of my Vendetta.

-Eric

 

BentBierz

Well-Known Member
Hi Eric,
I bought a Kurt


Hi Eric,

I bought a Kurt Kinetic Rock & Roll trainer. Prior to buying it I had a pretty good back-and-forth email discussion with them about multiple bikes: trike with 20" wheel and Rohloff, FWD Toxy with Rohloff (since sold), etc. and they said it would work with all of them. I already had the trainer before I decided to buy the Silvio but am pretty confident the trainer will work.

Regarding the KICKR...I was really interested in that trainer but the company said that it would not work with the Toxy set up (the main bike I wanted to use it on). If I recall, it was the Rohloff that was a non-starter, not the FWD. I was very interested in that trainer and the several great replies back from the company indicated that they have great customer support. Has it lived up to your expectations?
 

Eric Winn

Zen MBB Master
Yes, the KICKR is an

Yes, the KICKR is an exceptionally nice trainer. Taking the wheel on and off on the Vendetta is a bit of a PITA but not really too bad once you get used to it. Fits easily on the KICKR and works really, really well.

The KICKR support in Wahoo's Fitness App is extraordinary.

-Eric
 

Nanda Holz

Active Member
Sram

Larry, you can also use sram bar end shifters with aero levers which accommodate a triple, weigh and cost less the any of their brifters. I am on the other end of the bling spectrum and love SRAM Apex, which I think is about 1/3 that of a Rohloff, and I use an 11-36T which the Apex mid-cage seems to handle just fine. Granted these Apex bits are going on a Silvio and Vendetta headed for demo/rental use/abuse not for my person bike. Following the same logic, if you dump your new ride while learning, the Apex bits are that much less to replace, if needed :)
 
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