Wicklow kicked my a$$ today...

merc230ce

But good.

I have done the ROK and the TOW 100 this year but had never been up the Wicklow mountains before, so headed out with a (much more experienced) pal to do the Orwell Randonnee route which, including getting to & from home, should have totalled 180km. As it turned out I was suffering so badly by Sally Gap I had to turn for home and went Enniskerry - Bray - Killiney and up along the coast (sea level, innit), totalling 130k.

Lots of hill work required obviously, but I reckon I need about 6 extra gears below my current bottom one to make a start on it! Hmm - maybe I could fit a MTB set...

(What a beautiful day though. Loads of cyclists out, and the leading group in the Wicklow Adventure Race just cruised smoothly past me as I was toiling away painfully up to Sally Gap - great day for them.)

Cee-Jay-Cee

Out of interest what are your gear ratios front and rear?

merc230ce

CJC999 wrote: »

Out of interest what are your gear ratios front and rear?

That's a question I asked myself over and over all day as you can imagine!

I don't know, I'll count 'em later. I ride a standard 2008 Trek 1.2 with what looks like a double crankset (Bontrager) and 8-speed Sora at the rear. I wonder would swapping the front rings for compact-type help much, or would it need more radical surgery?

cython

merc230ce wrote: »

That's a question I asked myself over and over all day as you can imagine!

I don't know, I'll count 'em later. I ride a standard 2008 Trek 1.2 with what looks like a double crankset (Bontrager) and 8-speed Sora at the rear. I wonder would swapping the front rings for compact-type help much, or would it need more radical surgery?

If you have a standard double (39-53 or thereabouts) then swapping for a compact may be just what you need. I have a 2006/7ish Trek 1000 which is the immediate predecessor to your bike, and I had similar problems when I started venturing into Wicklow. Both the Wicklow and Sally Gap were handing my ass to me and as bad an idea as it may be I ended up pausing on climbs and starting again. Swapped to a compact after a few tries and on my first day up there on it I flew up the Sally Gap and on over Luggala. Ended up walking a short stretch of the Wicklow Gap the same day again, but of 4 of us out, only one didn't due to the level of the wind and the risk of blowing over! I haven't had to pause on either of them ever since though.

Again, if the cassette is configured like mine then you probably have 12-26 on the back, and that's probably about as low as you'll get with Sora of the time. Now this isn't likely to give you 6 lower gears as you describe (it obviously gives no extras, but moves and broadens your range), but Sheldon's gear calculator will give you an idea of what the change would actually mean to you in numbers.

Cee-Jay-Cee

merc230ce wrote: »

That's a question I asked myself over and over all day as you can imagine!

I don't know, I'll count 'em later. I ride a standard 2008 Trek 1.2 with what looks like a double crankset (Bontrager) and 8-speed Sora at the rear. I wonder would swapping the front rings for compact-type help much, or would it need more radical surgery?

If that is the set up then you'd be at quite a disadvantage against someone with a compact crankset and a 27 or 28 cog on the rear.

ford2600

CJC999 wrote: »

If that is the set up then you'd be at quite a disadvantage against someone with a compact crankset and a 27 or 28 cog on the rear.

I have a compact with 28/12. Huge range of gears.
I climb a lot and often don't use lower few but nice to have them, especially on very long solo spins.
Did wicklow 200 twice on double with 25 largest cog on rear and it makes it harder

merc230ce

Thanks for all the replies. I don't feel like quite so much of a wimp now ;-)

I just checked and my setup is exactly as Cython described: 39-53 front and 12-26 rear.
So could I simply swap the inner ring and get the result I need? What are typical compact setup numbers like?

Brian?

I'd go with a different cassette before switching to a compact. Much less radical.

If this was your first time (of many?) up the Wicklow mountains you are only going to get stronger.

smacl

merc230ce wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies. I don't feel like quite so much of a wimp now ;-)

I just checked and my setup is exactly as Cython described: 39-53 front and 12-26 rear.
So could I simply swap the inner ring and get the result I need? What are typical compact setup numbers like?

Have to swap both rings I'm afraid. The bolt pattern for compact and standard gears are not the same. You'll also need to reposition the front derailleur, and possibly take a link or two out of the chain. Could be simpler to get a price from your local bike shop, as they may have the spare bits knocking around for cheaper than you could buy new.

smacl

Brian? wrote: »

I'd go with a different cassette before switching to a compact. Much less radical.

If this was your first time (of many?) up the Wicklow mountains you are only going to get stronger.

I think he's already on the biggest cassette that the sora 8sp has to offer. Maybe possible to hack in a Deore RD and 32t cassette as a cheaper option.

ford2600

smacl wrote: »

I think he's already on the biggest cassette that the sora 8sp has to offer. Maybe possible to hack in a Deore RD and 32t cassette as a cheaper option.

The cheapskate in me would agree with this. When rings/ cassette are worn upgrade to new compact then.
Sorry, just buy a new bike.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Keep an eye on adverts.ie and donedeal for a complete Tiagra or Sora compact/9spd groupset. They are usually quite cheap and will give you the extra gears for climbing

merc230ce

CJC999 wrote: »

Keep an eye on adverts.ie and donedeal for a complete Tiagra or Sora compact/9spd groupset. They are usually quite cheap and will give you the extra gears for climbing

I do, and I'd be happy with a triple groupset either if one of them came along first but I haven't seen any complete sets in the last couple of months. What kind of price range would you be talking about? A new 9-sp Sora groupset is about €250 on eBay, so I presume a s/h one won't be much over €100?

Cee-Jay-Cee

Yeah us imagine in or around the 100 mark. I thought I seen a complete sora set up for sale hereverytecentky, maybe not.

You could also keep an eye out for a complete bike and strip it for the necessary parts and then sell/dump the frame.

Brian?

smacl wrote: »

I think he's already on the biggest cassette that the sora 8sp has to offer. Maybe possible to hack in a Deore RD and 32t cassette as a cheaper option.

SRAM 11-28 is an option.

In fact I having one around here somewhere I had on my old bike.

gman2k

A new cassette 12-28 can be easily sourced, and it doesn't have to be Sora.
Compact chainsets from the likes of FSA can be got very cheaply- again zero compatibility issues with the groupset.
BTW, a lot of the riders on Saturdays Veulta stage (second last stage) were riding 34-28.
If changing out chainset and cassette however, it's wise to fit a new chain also.

smacl

I'd definitely ring around the bike shops to see what they have to offer. I'd guess they end up with a fair amount of spares as a result of people upgrading, and a lot of those upgrades may have been 9sp to 10sp or triple to compact. Pure speculation, but worth a punt. You could also stick a wanted add in the adverts section of this forum.

bikermartin

I changed my cassette to 12 - 34 mtb 8 speed cassette and an acera rd. i have a std 39/53 front and works well for me. I am using the last 2/3 gears rarely but good to have them when i really struggling up some massive col........ in my opinion anyways :eek::eek:

ford2600

merc230ce wrote: »

I do, and I'd be happy with a triple groupset either if one of them came along first but I haven't seen any complete sets in the last couple of months. What kind of price range would you be talking about? A new 9-sp Sora groupset is about €250 on eBay, so I presume a s/h one won't be much over €100?

Not a bug fan of triples unless for touring.
With a compact and 28/11 or similar you have nearly as wide a range,

merc230ce

ford2600 wrote: »

Not a bug fan of triples unless for touring.
With a compact and 28/11 or similar you have nearly as wide a range,

Yeah I rang my LBS today and their advice is that the first thing to try is to make changes at the back end (replacing the rear cassette for a 12-30 if the derailleur will take it, or a 12-28 if not) - It's the cheaper option (€40-50 vs €150 for a new crankset etc.), and if it's enough to get me to the top then great.

If not, then I'll just have to join the Granny brigade :-)

cyclic

HTFU MF!

merc230ce

cyclic wrote: »

HTFU MF!

Yeah yeah. *yawn*

I do intend to, erm, 'HU' but I ain't going to tackle routes like that one again without knowing I've got the tools to get myself out of any sticky situations.
Simples.

cyclic

Ok then, get an electric bike. There are supposed to be some good ones out there so you have the right tools to never get tired again or struggle on the hills.

Roadtoad

Took me 3 years to get over Mahon in the SK. First time I barely made it to the chicken run, second time I got further but turned back, the rest, as they say....
Three years older, about 15 kg lighter with loads of km under the tyres.

Keep going out and up, keep seeking the uncomfortable.

cdaly_

ford2600 wrote: »

Not a bug fan of triples unless for touring.
With a compact and 28/11 or similar you have nearly as wide a range,

I'm not a fan of compacts because of the big jump between front rings. I end up cross-chaining too much. I'm running a triple with 13-32 'cos I can't be arsed grinding up hills...

merc230ce

Roadtoad wrote: »

Keep going out and up, keep seeking the uncomfortable.

That's the plan!
(Key word being 'uncomfortable', not 'impossible' ;-)

Wishbone Ash

The psychological part is as important as the physical bit. If you disregard speed/performance, and get it into you head that you can still grind even though you may be down to 5 or 6 km/h you'll get over 99% of climbs.

It's a long time now since I had to do the walk of shame (Gap of Mamore) even though I'm a very mediocre climber.

merc230ce

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

The psychological part is as important as the physical bit. If you disregard speed/performance, and get it into you head that you can still grind even though you may be down to 5 or 6 km/h you'll get over 99% of climbs.

It's a long time now since I had to do the walk of shame (Gap of Mamore) even though I'm a very mediocre climber.

It was a humbling experience alright! I was fine anywhere I could keep my cadence up, even at the end of the day, but I had nothing in the legs once I had to resort to mashing the pedals. I had never even had to get out of the saddle before, much less stop or (oh the horror) walk. Won't let that happen again!

Wishbone Ash

merc230ce wrote: »

.... I had never even had to get out of the saddle before....

I would generally only get out of the saddle on short punchy climbs or towards the end of a long climb. On long grinding climbs I prefer to to sit back and churn because, if I stay out of the saddle for an extended period, my lungs cannot keep up with my legs.

DaithiMC

merc230ce wrote: »

Yeah I rang my LBS today and their advice is that the first thing to try is to make changes at the back end (replacing the rear cassette for a 12-30 if the derailleur will take it, or a 12-28 if not) - It's the cheaper option (€40-50 vs €150 for a new crankset etc.), and if it's enough to get me to the top then great.

If not, then I'll just have to join the Granny brigade :-)

I changed out the back cassette on the Boardman Race I bought which originally had a 12-26, now I have an 11-28 (9s). I think 28 is probably what you can stretch the road Sora derailleur too otherwise you would have to change the cage. I did notice a difference - psychological and physical. Based in South Dublin and my reference climb is Stocking Lane to Featherbeds (about 7.8km climbing, 411m elev diff) and I have to say, the ability to get two more teeth made the stickier bits easier to recover on!

I considered the triple but the cassette was a less costly move, for now(!).

Cee-Jay-Cee

merc230ce wrote: »

I do, and I'd be happy with a triple groupset either if one of them came along first but I haven't seen any complete sets in the last couple of months. What kind of price range would you be talking about? A new 9-sp Sora groupset is about €250 on eBay, so I presume a s/h one won't be much over €100?

Complete Tiagra groupset (with Tektro brakes) on donedeal €200 > http://www.donedeal.ie/bicycles-for-sale/tiagra-4500-9sp-groupset/5717144

merc230ce

Spotted that one too late unfortunately - it was snapped up.
I am getting a s/h Shimano FC R700 compact chainset + BB from Jimmy so that will hopefully sort me out!