Choosing the Right Gear Setup for Your Touring Bike

Choosing the right gear setup for your touring bike is crucial for a comfortable and efficient ride, especially when you're planning a long trip involving varied terrains and loads. The number of gears, along with the gear range, significantly affects your riding experience. This article will explore the ideal gear setups for different tour scenarios, using the formula for gear inches to provide a deeper understanding.

General Considerations

8 to 30 Gears

Most touring bikes come with a gear range between 8 to 30 gears, offering a wide variety of options depending on your needs. Here are the key points to consider: 8 to 12 Gears: Suitable for flat terrains and lighter loads, with easy maintenance and reduced weight. 18 to 27 Gears: Ideal for mixed terrains, providing a good balance for climbing hills and cruising on flat roads, with more options for fine-tuning your cadence and power output. 30 Gears or More: Perfect for mountainous regions or heavily loaded touring, where a wide range is necessary for climbing steep grades while still allowing for comfortable speeds on descents.

Ultimately, the best gear setup depends on your specific touring needs, including the weight of your gear, the types of roads you'll encounter, and your personal riding style.

Practical Gear Recommendations

When it comes to gear selection, the key isn't just the number but the range and low gears adequacy:

Sufficient Low Gearing

Some riders prefer a simpler setup with a triple chainring at the front and 5 or 6 sprockets at the rear, provided the overall low gearing is suitable for steep hills. This setup was highlighted by a rider who notes:

I'm very happy with a triple at the front and 5 or 6 sprockets at the rear as long as the overall low gearing is low enough to get up steep long hills like the Alps with a fully loaded touring bike.

Range vs. High Gears

The gear range is more important than the total number of gears. For moderate loads (around 50 lbs) and hilly terrain but not necessarily mountainous, a low range of around 30 inches is adequate. However, for real mountains, a low range of under 25 inches is necessary. The high range, while less critical, is important for urban areas where quick speeds are needed to stay with traffic. Ideally, the high gear should be at least 100 inches.

The lack of a high gear in practical gear setups can be a limitation, as it narrows the range of possible speeds. A rider suggests a setup with as few as five gears, but acknowledges it would be challenging to achieve in practice.

Calculating Gear Inches: A Formula Application

Understanding the gear inches formula:

G (C * N) / n

Where:

C is the circumference of the wheel N is the number of teeth on the front sprocket (chainring) n is the number of teeth on the rear sprocket

This formula helps in determining the ideal gear inches for different riding conditions. A lower gear inch provides more torque for easier climbing, while higher gear inches allow for faster, more efficient riding.

Conclusion

Your touring bike's gear setup should be tailored to your specific needs, whether you're riding flat terrains or tackling steep mountain climbs. The right combination of gear range and low gearing can make a significant difference in your touring experience. By understanding the basics of gear inches and considering the terrain, your gear setup can enhance your comfort and efficiency on the road.