[trevorson8]

I'm building up a new 4X/DS bike, and I'm trying to figure out what to put on it as far as gearing. I've been racing since it was normal to have a 42t ring on a slalom bike, but everyone's about high RPM now....which makes sense. What are people running front and back?

32t? 34t? 36t?
What about cassettes?

I want to have the acceleration, but I'm afraid of spinning out on fast courses.

Also, just to get people riled up....X9 or XT?

Thanks!

 

[Bicyclist]

Personally I'd run a 34-36t, with an 11-28 cassette. That way you don't have to double shift like you would with an 11-23/25 cassette, and you get a little closer ratio than with an 11-32. A road cassette isn't a bad idea either though.

I'm an XT kinda guy these days; X9 just doesn't last as well. All my stuff is Sram-free (aside from my fork) and I plan to keep it that way unless Shimano tries to screw us with dual control again!

 

[trevorson8]

What do you mean by double shifting? Why would a road cassette be a better option than one of the small mountain cassettes?

Right now I think I'm running a 36x11-28 on a full suspension bike and I just want a little direct power transfers from a stand-still. I'm building up a hardtail (so that will help), but I'm thinking a 34x11-28 will give me that but I won't spin out if I find myself on some crazy fast course (like last year's at Windham).

 

[Bicyclist]

What do you mean by double shifting? Why would a road cassette be a better option than one of the small mountain cassettes?

If you have really tight gaps like a road cassette (11-23 or so) will give, you'll have to shift more to get a tangible change in gearing. Great for roadies riding on the flats to maintain a perfect cadence, but IMO it's better to have a bigger gap in ratio for each shift.

I never said a road cassette would be better, just that it (and an 11-28 or so mountain cassette) would both work well.