Cycling's Gear Shaming Problem
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- Опубліковано 17 лис 2024
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Does cycling have a gear shaming problem?
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Don’t let the haters get you down, Russ! You do you, and there are tons of us who appreciate what you do!
Para alguien que tiene un canal y "vive de ello", "dar pena" es una forma de mover sentimientos. Seguro que eres joven y mas fácilmente emocionable. Las bicicletas eran hace pocos años un recurso de desplazamiento barato para países pobres (lo sigue siendo), hoy los ricos las usamos para "hacer deporte", pero nos desplazamos en coche. Cuando alguien delante de una cámara "quiere dar pena", eso, está "guionizado". Si eres joven (yo no lo soy) a lo mejor (deseo que no), si hay un colapso de combustibles fósiles, tendrás "como castigo" que desplazarte en bicicleta.
Humans literally invented gears to make life easier. But somehow you are not supposed to use them now.
I use all the gears - and occasionally I cross-chain too 😲
And here I am racing downtown on my fixed gear bike
I’m so elitist and anti gears I’m now just a runner I don’t need wheels being a crutch for me I now commute by running because I’m that alpha /s
@@EstebanDVO join me in the burnt out knee club in a few years 😉 ah but those days were fun
@@EstebanDVO Unless you're carrying extra weight, like a race horse, you're still a wimp.😁
I don't think the criticism you're receiving has anything to do with cycling or your choice of gearing. I think it's deeper than that. I think it's because people are becoming increasingly angry and intolerant. Content creators are like lightning rods for the irritability brewing inside these people. Simply by offering a different viewpoint, you're vulnerable to their strikes. Don't let it get to you, my friend. You have a great channel, you offer thoughtful and informative opinions, and you remind us that cycling is for everyone.
No shame in running any gears, high or low. As long as you enjoy riding your bike. 💯😎✌ The problem is that people are insecure with their lives. 💯
This!!
Insecure? Just plain weird 😜
Took off 50/34 and put on 46/30. Anything that makes my cycling life easier, I do. I love being on my bike.
Ha!
@@kge420 this makes so much since 90% of people never use that top gearing on a 50/34. Makes more sense to use a 46.
Your content is super valuable and appreciated. It’s inclusive in a way that many channels aren’t. Long live joy in cycling! :)
Your thoughts on gearing are a breath of fresh air.
Oh yes. I inherited an old 80s Binachi road bike and live on a very steep hill.
I mentioned to a guy at a bike coop that I would probably benefit from some different gearing and he was agreeing. He thought I should have higher gearing... .
When our (my wife and me, as we retired) Thorn Raven Tour bikes were being specced, the designer asked about gearing and we shrugged, with no idea, and he said, "Right, we will gear them so that when touring with luggage, neither of you will ever have to step off the bike no matter what hill you come across." He got it just about dead right and over thousands of kilometres we thanked him hundreds of times over. More power to your elbow. All the best.
Out of interest, what what are the tooth counts on the lowest gearing ??
Thorn are awesome old school tourers and provide great advice. Very happy with my Nomad
Thorn always seemed to “get” touring. Great company and great bikes, ahead of the curve.
@@sparkynzl i also want to know
@@Simsydav Likewise after 14 years of regular use for our Raven Sports tourers.
I think you’re the only channel who discusses lower gearing and the alternatives available to get to it without using the big brands.
"You'll grow into it"
"You'll get used to it"
But noone says you NEED low gears when:
- trying to cycle again as a new dad/mom
- cycling with terrible sleep but still wanting to climb a local hill to get the best view
- cycling after being sick and still not feeling great
+ being 80 years of age.
At 75 yo noone can shame me as I don’t give a rats ass. Every year I seem to get a cassette with a bigger granny gear because it enables me to climb hills in northwestern NC that I would not normally be able to climb. So please keep on experimenting. It’s getting to the point where I may have to buy a new drive train. 😢
Thanks for what you do.
❤ at 69 my favourite current bike has 3 x 6 and a 20" back wheel, don't give a 💩 what anyone else thinks or say, most are wtf, 😅😅😅
Tell us your set up
I’ve got all winter to do mine
How low can you go with a 2x7? I am currently running a 2x10 22/32 11-46. I’d like to try a 11-50 cassette but I doubt I could find a grade steep enough, way too slow.🤣
@@VE7QRZWestern NC has a few nice sustained 25%ers if you want out near Grandfather Mtn that are a couple of miles long.
I'm close to 70. My bars are now a bit higher than my saddle. Shame! Shame! Shame! I also don't give a rat's arse.
You keep on talking about these issues. We love it!
It’s the only place where I’ve seen experimenting by mixing components from different manufacturers. I enjoy it, and I also learn new things. Greetings from Germany.
When I started riding in the early 80's, mixing components together from different manufacturers was not uncommon! It was a way to get what you needed or wanted to suit your own, individual riding needs. That's harder to do these days.
@@PhyllisBoone-sn8oiAlex Moulton bicycles have been doing that for decades.Successfully I might add. You Tube is a magnet for critical losers that want nothing more than to inflate their ego by destructively faulting what others are doing.Thank you for reminding us that mixing components from various manufacturers is ok if it increases our riding pleasure.
I love the "don't shit on other people's joy" mantra
As a single speed rider with fairly easy ratio (30x20) I sometimes get an odd look from a fellow single speeder
I enjoy it because it lets me enjoy steep climbs with less strain on my knees, on the flats it's pretty slow but I just try to make the most of it and enjoy the scenery
My daily commuter is a 3x7 touring bicycle with 90s XT groupset, I take pride in the fact that this groupset will probably outlive most other groupsets in the market today
You could always just stretch 6 days a week if you are almost going to ride fixed. Your knees wouldn't hurt if you stretched.
@@凸Bebo凸 Look who didn't get the message Russ was giving
@@joe.wildflower I've been cycling for over 40 years and never seen anyone harassed for their gear ratio in any discipline. I ride fixed gear in a big ratio still even as an old man, older than Russ. What Russ is talking about never happens anywhere, he's making content.
Hi Russ - I work at a major bicycle shop in sales and do some wrenching. We say all the time 90% of people riding do it for FUN! Yet people make fun of step through frames (that help older and physically challenged, and not confident) riders get riding. People make fun of e-bikes - yet so many people ride a LOT more with an e-bike, I see road riders make fun of mountain bikers and vice versa. My philosophy which aligns with my employer- just go ride!
I really love your channel and hope you ignore the negatives!
Hope to ride at party pace with you and Laura! You make the bicycling world a better place!
Thank you my brother!
I don't have an e-bike or intend to get one anytime soon, but I guess that you can look at it as having the ultimate bailout gear, for when you need it.
There is also "riding position shaming". As I approach 70 years of age, my bars are now a bit higher than my saddle. Shame ! Shame! Shame!
I just ordered a 3x from Shimano to get the lower gearing for my Surly Ogre. I'm a big guy who loves to go bike touring/ camping. Lower gears make this way easier.
There are many of us out here who do not give 2 s$:ts about watts, Strava, carbon, or the Tour de France. I'm more interested in the journey. Taking pictures, exploring at my pace. That is why I love your channel. Forget the haters. Ride what works for you. Ride where you want. And ALWAYS, enjoy the ride.
I put a 50-39-30 triple on my Synapse road bike. I'm faster compared to the 50-34 crank and 11-32 cassette which came on the bike. I"ve received tons of snide comments from the people who really aren't as fast as they want to believe.
I adore having a 3x on my Ogre. Can't imagine riding that bike any other way.
I have 6 bikes and I have triple front rings on all of them except for one. The one that doesn't is a Brompton, and I'd have more gears on that if I could.
@@qcriverrat When you look at total range, steps between gears, low gears, and the speed you can reach on a 44-32-22 or 50-39-30 triple with an 11-34 cassette, objectively, they're hard to beat.
I look at my 3x10 road bike as 3 1x's in one bike. When I'm feeling good and descending, it's a sporty 1x. When I'm tired or it's really hilly, it's a climbing 1x. But most of the time, it's a flats 1x. I get to ride 3 bikes at a time, except that I don't have to carry the other 2 on my back. I rarely shift both the front and back to get to the next highest or lowest gear, as it's rarely necessary. It's like a car that has sports mode, economy mode and regular mode. Works for me.
Thank you for sharing. I lead a group of slightly older women cyclists, Black Girls Do Bike, of which lowering gearing is preferred. These women our casual cyclists and find higher gearing difficult especially when having to climb. We often have to change out the cassette to something with more gear range. You are so right, bikes today are all about higher gearing....and also higher pricing. I enjoy your content. Thanks, again!
I still run 3x9 old school, totally agree with you.
I run two bikes with 3x7, one with 1x9, one with 3x9 and another with 3x8, I use them all! No shame, it's what they were designed for!
Lucky duck, my alloy MTB commuter is only 3x7. But lucky me, it is e-bike converted with the Green Zone Bikes kit. So don't think you're faster than me with all your extra gears. 😀
1x11 on the MTB, 3x9 on the road bike and 1x1 on the BMX
2 bikes 1-3x7, 1- 3x8. Have a couple of buddies who want me to go 1 by, but I'm good, 😅
@@techjunkie68smusicandtech56 I think you are "number of bikes I own" shaming me. 😊 I only have three! All with multiple chainrings, I'm an old guy living in the hills.
I bought a 90s MTB during Covid and its triple chainring was my gateway drug to lower gearing. It had a 36 middle ring and a 24 inner ring. I finally had to admit that I never used the big ring and it’s nothing more than a bash guard for me.
Same here. I use the middle ring all the time but never the big ring. I don’t see anyone biking at 70mph so I’m not sure I believe anyone needs one
@@zwicker5585 Now that's just low-key gear shaming of big rings. Let people choose the gearing that they want.
Long live the 3x! 😁
@@morlamweb 😂😂😂 they can ride whatever they want, didn’t suggest otherwise
Yeah, I recently rediscovered 3x too. They last forever which is impressive considering the plastic gears in modern electric derailleurs. Old touring and mountain bikes with 3x are treasures. Another challenge with 1x is the relatively higher wear on the small gears and thinner chains. Been there.
You do you Russ. This is a terrific channel. When people choose to ride with me, I set the pace, and that pace is Party Pace. When they want to go faster, I just meet them at the next coffee stop. At whatever speed, I choose to ride happy. You and your channel helped me come to this mindset, and I thank you.
Spot on!!! I started bike touring in the 1970s when adapted road bikes were all we had. I recall nearly splitting my knees while crossing the Green Mountains in VT on my Raleigh Super Course. When you wanted lower gears, the bike shop guys snickered about "granny gears" and made you feel like a wimp. My wife's Sekai touring bike, bought from REI in 1978, was our first bike engineered by the maker with sort-of decent low gears to carry loaded panniers over hills. When mountain bikes came out, road touring bikes became niche again, usually sourced from artisanal frame builders but at least the mountain community was providing a market for suitably low cassettes, triple cranks, etc. The bikepacking community is still outside the mainstream and has no place in most mainline bike stores who are stuck selling various road configurations. We exist thanks to niche players like Rivendell and others who understand our needs.
Sekai! :D I had an early 80's 2400, put thousands of miles on it. Loved that bike.
Excellent video, Russ! It's just sad that you felt compelled to make it. Personally, your vids have me excited about wide range doubles.
This! It saddened me you feel this way, Russ. Bikes are great, you're helping people get bikes set up to do what they want to do. Don't let other people's attitude affect you.
I recommend triple front rings :)
I’m loving the videos. Keep fighting the good fight.
Great video. I love your commentary on “low gears”. I love low gearing, bikepacking, gravel touring (this is my new term), going to get groceries, and riding for fun. This attitude permanents across all kinds of endeavours. Great work, keep your enthusiasm for what is important to you.
Russ your videos taught me to get the bike that fits my purpose. It has been life changing. This week is was going up a steep hill with my 70lb kid on back while riding an e bike and thought "I wish I had lower gears"
I thought this was going to be “gear” as in equipment but kit shaming is a whole different video.
that's what I thought too:)
Yes I thought that too. Another video definitely needed on that topic.
I often get the patronising down-talk when I’m on one of my vintage 3-speeds, so I casually reply “well I’ve got another 30 bikes at home and this is what I chose today, so it’s obviously got something”.
We appreciate what you do, Russ. I stumbled across your channel 5-6 years ago, after struggling to create a working, compatible drivetrain with subcompact gearing. What a godsend! Great advice, but more importantly, you made me feel like less of an outsider in the racer dominated cycling world. Was so good to find a community of cyclists who appreciate cycling without it having to be about ‘what the pros do”. I can’t tell you how many times in the last 40+ years of my cycling journey that I’ve been told by bike shops things like “no one rides gears that low”, or ‘just get stronger and push the bigger gears” because “that’s what the pros do”. I’ve finally learned to turn around and walk out of shops that say things like that. Thank you for being our cycling Everyman. What you do makes a difference, to a lot of us. F**k the haters.
Thank you, thank you! My first road bike had a Sora 3x, and the dentists in my club would give me so much crap after long climbs, even though they'd have to get off and walk their pinarellos up the hill.
Thanks for focusing on keeping bikes for all.
I'm with you man. A lot of us get into cycling because they enjoy exploring and going to places at their own pace; we're not all Tadejs and Jonases. Love your Cave of "Bad" Ideas, BTW.
You’ve always inspired and uplifted my views on the bigger cycling world. From art to travel you’ve always stoked me out. Thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do.
I for one, certainly appreciate options for gearing. 65 years old, 3 knee surgeries and many other “repairs”, I certainly like as many options as possible. My attempts at proving myself was single speed, which I enjoyed but my knees didn’t. Now 30 to 34 tooth oval (depending on the bike or ride or load) and 9-52 cassettes let me ride most things here around Tucson. Many people “shame” e-bikes too, which I hope to put off for several years, 6:52 . I say we’re all going faster and farther than anyone on the Lazyboy. Don’t let the bastards get you down. Some people have to knock others down to feel better about themselves. Keep up the good work 🚴💨 or 🐢💨
It's nice to hear you are staying true to yourself. Forget about what everybody else is saying. It's nothing personal, it's their own beliefs and issues.
Just built up a new modern aluminum gravel frame/fork with 11sp Dura Ace bar end shifting on drop bars, mtb triple 24-32-44, 11-34 cassette, and mechanical hydro disc brakes. The range is crazy. Light enough for serious gravel yet all the attachment points and gearing for anything else. Much of the ideas from your channel.
I got a very expensive gravel titanium frame. I put flat bars on it with MTB triple front rings and 11-speed rear cassette. I think the people that try to get around with single front rings are being idiotic.
It's still a trip to me that bikepacking races even exist.
I agree, I always thought the point was to enjoy the experience. I never got the point of racing through the experience.
There's a lot of joy in racing something like the Colorado Trail Race. There's also a lot of joy in touring slowly. Either way, riding a bike through some of the most beautiful land in the county is soul-expanding, so follow your heart!
Yeah I kinda feel like it would be better not to do competitions in what comes down to "who can sleep the least?". If only for the obvious safety issues.
When it comes to other peoples choices I find it's best to keep my thoughts to myself - it can be hard to do this with everything but generally I try to follow that rule.
You learn more by listening, and observing then talking over someone else's "Why" and even if their "Why" might be stupid to you, it's relevant to them.
People who can't give you that base level of respect are worth ignoring, life isn't always about doing "the best" "the meta" it's about doing what you want to do and you find your own "best" and "meta" and other people can take elements of yours and add to theirs.
I have left so many Facebook cycling groups in the past year. Seems to be spreading from the mainstream Internet into the cycling forums now whereby people just shit on your joy. When cycling became the new golf, it changed for the worst. Now I just stick to one or two groups with like-minded people and hope the dickhead stay away. Please don’t change what you’re doing, you have inspired me to try so many things regarding gearing and drive trains.
Utility vs sport is the essential distinction. Normalize cycling as transport.
0:45 I was in a pizza restaurant, when a customer wanted to know how many people a large pizza would feed. The customer was shown a large pizza that was just pulled out of the oven. Their response was, “Yes, but how many people does it feed?”
It’s like asking what bicycle gearing someone needs - it depends.
Keep going YOUR way! We’re all different. Do what works for you and be happy!
Making cycling fun. What a novel concept.
Hey man. I am a 54 year old 230 pound cyclist that climbed independence pass this summer. I slapped in a 22 on front with a 11-42 on the back ,.I have " real cyclists" look cross eyed at me cycling all the time. Even laugh as they blow by me. I imagine, to them, I look like an Orca in cycling gear. NEVER EVER feel bad..Just like you cycling changed my life for the better.... I love what you do! I appreciate it so much.
I never have commented on a video before in my life. You keep doing your thing.
I am heading to join as a patreon member or whatever they call it on here now. You deserve all of the support in the world.
I have that on my wife's bike. A Deore 36/22 on the front with a Sunrace 11-42 on the back.
It's a shame that every activity has to have gatekeepers, they unfortunately seem to exist in every pastime. I personally am excited to meet someone who also cycles or expresses an interest in starting and especially enjoy talking shop about the bikes themselves. I consider myself fortunate to have received only positive feedback from the people I speak to about any aspect of cycling. We should all aspire to be Ambassadors not Gatekeepers...
@@roypennock8046 I like that last sentence very much. I'm going to stick that in my back pocket
Just remember Russ, hate always comes from below! When u have hatters, you know you are doing something right! Keep doing you, and the real friends and followers will remain. ✌️ brother.
Riding slow as hell and getting mad about people's comments isn't doing anything right it's being a little girl. If you want to be lazy that's your choice but it doesn't need an advocacy video.
@凸Bebo凸 no real name or pic. Typical beech troll. Go jur@k off in your mom's basement like the small boy you are.
I watch your channel precisely for the enthusiasm you bring. I don’t bikepack or ride super low gears mainly just road and gravel rides but I enjoy your channel a lot mainly because of you. Hell I live right by Sulphur Mountain in Ventura and had never rode up until I saw your video with your wife riding up. It’s a regular ride for me now thanks to you guys.
I love a wider gear ratio. I was just able to swap out a 12-28 for a 11-34 7 speed cassette. Older hybrid with a 28-38-48 triple on the front. This is thanks to you helping me understand the importance of this. Don't even get me started on the swept back bars I switched out the narrow flats for. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and passion. ✌️
Couldn't agree with you more. I've been riding a triple crank with a 24 tooth granny gear for 40 years. Now that I'm older, that 48 tooth outer ring is primarily just a brush guard. I never understood the macho guys who pushed the big gears and had to ice their knees at the end of the ride. After 40 years of biking I still have my original knees.
The 48-tooth big ring on my 3x drivetrain gets the most use, and I'm considering a changeto a 50-tooth ring. Just my preferences, as yours are your prefs. I've still got my original knees, too, and I never have to ice them after a ride : )
You can push heavy gears and not have knee pain, you just have to stretch 6 days a week. I am in my late 40s and have no problem with this. Big gears just make your muscles tight that's all. You can either ignore it and get knee pain or stretch and have zero pain.
Yup. Proudly running the same 22-32-44 crank with 9 sp 11-30something for my go-anywhere adventure bike (what the industry now calls a gravel bike ) for the last 20 years. I have overflowing parts bins full of stuff from the late 80s and 90s that I like to recycle instead of buying newer, shinier, prettier crap because it's trendy. Ironically, I bought said stuff in the 80s and 90s because it was shiny, pretty and cutting edge then, but I found out it was all I really ever needed.
I completely agree. The gear-egos are real. Inside the industry and out on the roads and trails. As a former racer and now someone who rides recreationally, I find it laughable that the cycling world has not caught onto this. Not everyone needs massive gears to do what they are doing. I especially find it absurd that the same companies who push "endurance" bikes to have another slice of the market, are unwilling to gear their bikes for the activity they are promoting. As a mid-50's rider, I no longer need to have the most aero road bike. I spent last year researching endurance bikes with the plan of something that will work with my aging body as I approach 60. The number of these "endurance" bike that still are spec'd with racing gears is ridiculous. Why?? WHY?? Because the industry is broken. And lazy. If you are riding an endurance bike, you obviously could use appropriate gearing. And probably half the industry is clueless to this. Just shameful.
I am 61 years old, been a rider since childhood and now I am using my cromoly kona with 34T chainring and 11-51T cassette ( and 2" tyres) because it makes it so much easier to climb the steep hills. I am even thinking when the chain wears out again I may try the 32T simply because I can and I don't ride fast, i never go past 28kmh on the straight.
Cycling for me is a form of fitness and exploration, not winning races.
I can choose any gear I like to make it easier for me and could not care less what anyone thinks.
So, nobody should care what gears each person is using.
Cheers and love your channel.
I like what Jack Thurston, author of Lost Lanes, said: "We all end up becoming touring cyclists one way or another."
Yeah, his books are marvellous. We need more Jack, Russ and others of their ilk espousing the joys of non performance cycling.
I still use 3x and 2x. That is my preference. I use low gears to carry stuffs on my bikes. I bike to go places and mostly uphill I need those low gears. I am not racing to get places. Yes we enjoy biking and getting there is awesome.
Your channel is the main thing I look forward to on UA-cam. Thanks for being a real person who makes videos for real people.
Your bike, your rules,
Do what you want, share your joy
I've been in the cycling industry for a long time, and there is always someone telling you they don't like this or mock, as far as I'm concerned it's a them problem
Hi there from the Uk To highlight that the problem still exists in mass produced bikes I recently went in to my local high end bike shop to see the offering for new gravel bikes I told him what I considered to be the gearing I needed for a comfortable days riding and he told me that there was nothing he could offer “out of the box “that would meet my needs I would have to have a custom built bike.
Comfort is king for me in a bike. I wish I had discovered low gearing 40 years ago when I was carrying two kids and panniers on my (retrieved from a neighbours skip ) road bike
We have a gut of unused post Covid bikes in the Uk ,mainly because of the weather ,the really bad urban road surfaces and killer traffic . However I think more would persist in cycling if they could have gearing that made the hills easier to get up and over for ordinary people
What were you missing exactly. I'm struggling here.
Love your channel Russ. It totally fits my bicycle philosophy: slow and steady. Give me a wide-range 2x any day. Front derailleurs and low gears rule.
I am a big fan of low gearing. The looks i get from some cyclists are along the lines of " whats wrong with you?". Your channel has made it ok for me to have lower gears. Thanks.
Keep doing what you’re doing brother. This is one of the very best bicycle-based channels on this platform and I love the way you tinker with what cycling can be and challenge the typical bike snobbery. I own a full carbon electronic shifting road bike yet my favorite bikes are the ones I hack and experiment with 🤙🏼
I ride a tandem bike with my son with disability’s, he doesn’t pedal so I incorporated an electric wheel (he 160 lbs). The vast majority of the comments are very positive, idk why I remember the clown that commented “oh thats an e-bike”. I guess thats just human nature.
@JohnBrain-y6p, Focus on the positive comments you get. For people that need to diss you to feel better about themself, just say "OK"or "Thanks". Some want a reaction from you. Some people may not realize how uncalled for their comment is. We don't need to explain our choices to strangers. Keep spending quality time with your son!
Russ, I've been following you for a while now. I love your perspective. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this and other related topics. Perfectly said. Thank you for being you and helping us all to find how we can be us. Bless you
I used to subscribe to full pro kits what with matching jersey, shorts, hat, and gloves, Clipless pedals, high end gruppo, etc. It was exclusive, not inclusive. I still like my old stuff but no longer look oddly at others different from me. Your posts shifted my view and I thank you. All the best to you.
This, sort off.. I typically wear Lycra shorts and Rapha Brevet jerseys, SPD-SL pedals, etc because that’s what I enjoy.. I enjoy the gear side of the hobby as well.. but I appreciate those that don’t as well..
Couldn’t agree more. I was fine with my 2x drivetrain but was “talked” shamed into getting the 1x and for my needs I’m going to have to pay more money to go back to 2x ugh the shit talking is so stupid some people just want to enjoy riding
I have been riding for over forty years, 34 of those years on the same Cannondale st400, rim brakes, triple chainrings. I don't give a hoot about what people think about my setup! I live in the Canadian Rockies, on a steep AF logging road, I need all the gears I can get! There has always been a element of exclusionary fitness "bro" types in cycling, most sports have them. Just ignore them.....Keep up the great work, love your channel.
Should upgrade that bike to a Facebook marketplace 15 year old carbon climbing bike you would have more fun.
Those people are the ones ruining bikes and riding. I ride an old MTB with a 3x9 crank, 8 spd shifters and a 9 spd cassette with v brakes. I'm not a cyclist. Just a guy who enjoys riding a bike around.
It's a trend, and like most trends not a pleasant one. Some people are living so low, instead of raising themselves up, they seek to drag everyone else down ! Misery needs a friend !
You're fine, and refreshing and many share your philosophy 😊💗
Not a trend, it’s been here for a long time. Some people seem to need a rigid framework of what’s the right way. I get the feeling, that anybody that deviates from their conformism is either a threat to the worldview that shelters them from insecurity or someone that devalues the scale on which they measure their perceived superiority.
I was being kind, but you're right. Still, if one person reading my comment re-evaluated, my kindness would not be in vain. @@tillman5529
💯!! The reason I left my local cycling club was exactly this: “no drop” rides were anything but and I saw so many new riders never returning because it was all about crank size and speed. I’ve never been happier cycling with friends on gravel and roads. And for me cycling is lifestyle not only sport. For those who it is solely sport that’s fine. With obesity a growing worldwide problem let’s encourage people to move. And who gives a shit if it’s pedal assist or on a bike with “great granny” gears 😀. Everyone who moves on a bike at any pace doing anything is ALWAYS moving faster than the person sitting on their couch.
Yes! Well said . The industry is totally silo’ed . In Wall Street mode . Faster , harder blah blah blah . You are are the Carl Honore of bike riding and I for one salute you for it . 👏🏻
I , too started in the 3by days . A Dawes tourer I bought with paper route money . I’d love that bike again . Shout out to all the framemakers and bike builders who cater for the low gear and rack inclined.
Let me say this slowly and clearly .. when I rode my homemade mountain bike in the 70s I was not doing ‘sport’ , when I rode my skateboard in the 80s and 90s I was not doing ‘sport’ and when I ride my bike now I’m not doing ‘sport’ . It’s creative . It’s self expression, it’s a way to relax , it’s getting from a-b . It’s just my life my way hey mr industry please don’t monetise me .
I think you’re doing a great job. Mountain bikers don’t seem to mind the low gears and I have noticed lately that most of the roadies in my area have lower gears these days. I think that most You Tube channels receive comments that aren’t warranted. Keep up the good work and don’t take the bad comments too seriously.
Rock on Russ! Your channel is called: Path less pedaled, not Asphalt road to hell… The ones you refer to must be lost, they need better navigation skills… People like us thrive on getting lost… You sir are on the right path, and that makes all the difference! 😅
just did a gravel ride and all I was thinking is that I need a lower gear! I enjoy your nerdy videos. Dont worry about youtube trolls!
I got a ~15% incline within my housing complex, I can only avoid it if I push my bike. Anything harder than 1:1 would be really uncomfortable, especially when I transport things up there.
Your view of the industry on gearing is spot on. It took me two years to find a bike that has descent gearing,,,(Kona sutra se).
I do appreciate what you have done and what you bring to the table. Your channel is a breath of fresh in the wake of this industry. Kind of a modern Sheldon Brown.
When I first started riding, my friends, who are lovely people, said I couldn’t get a rear cassette bigger than an 11-28.
Now my “road bike” has 46/30 crank 11/36 cassette
I’m now a shop mechanic and often help people choose easier gears.
Thx for your services
I’m also running 46/30. So good. What chain rings and crank are you using?
@ im using the stock GRX crank and rings. They have worked great so far!
Similar here for my gravel bike 😊 GRX 46-30 with 11-42 Cassette.
My touring bike has an 11-40 cassette with a triple on the front having a small 26 chainring.
My road bike has 52-30 chainrings with an 11-27 cassette, but it only weighs in at 6.4kg.
I run a heavy gravel bike that I set up to tow and climb, that is also capable of fast tarmac as well.
I also picked up a bit of strength along the way, as I run 52:12 to 52:32 on the regular.
However, I tripled up again for pulling a 100lb+ trailer up 6 and 7% grades.
I am actually pleased that someone is finally broaching this subject, as many people can't shift properly, and have no idea how to develope and sustain power with the gearing they have. I develope power in the 65 to 75 rpm range, and many roadies cannot out pull me. I'll keep my extended range gearing, thank you very much.
I am an unrepentant Heavy 9 speeder that uses modified 10 speed cassettes.
24/38/52 - 42/37/32/28/24/21/18/15/12.
Keep trying to teach em.
I think the big companies are getting the message, at leas to some degree. The newest Super Record is available with a 45/29 crankset for example. That would have been unheard of a decade ago. Hacks are still necessary, but with modern longer cage RDs, it's easier than every to cobble together a low range. I'm with you on loving the low gears :)
Yeah for sure! Go back 10/15 years and its hard to get a road RD that fits a 30t without some b-screw hacking - all positive trends imo
Whoa, wut? Italians going Party Pace? 🤔
I like a Campagnolo 3x personally (🇮🇹⚙️x3). I have that setup on a couple of my bikes.
I honestly thought the title referred to having expensive gear. Anyway, I don’t care what weight or aero weenies think of bikes. I get a lot of, “Why not carbon fibre?”
Keep doing what you are doing. I enjoy all of your videos. Great job!
I totally get where you are coming from. On a recent mountain bike/bike packing trip we had an extended single track climb of about 600'. The person behind me kept asking why I stayed in the lowest gear going up the switchback trails rather than pedaling in a higher gear. I highly value your channel and love you bike reviews and innovation in trying different components. Keep up the great work!
I constantly reference your videos because I value them. I all but stopped watching other videos because they don’t speak to me anymore. I often felt badly about myself. I used sports to prove something to myself and ultimately punishing myself. I’m not ready to get an e bike. I like to propel myself. I watch you and ultra romance because of your content. I feel like I belong and can make my riding count. I look in the nooks for products that my cycling shop doesn’t provide. My shop is into providing service to everyone and gets excited to find new ways or ALT ways. Thanks a milllion Russ for sharing your joy so that I can keep mine too.
I think your bike channel is the very best, and your view on gearing is refreshing. I think your view on cycling is about as spot on as it comes. I am almost 60, and the older I get, the more I want lower gearing and something to make my ride more enjoyable, and less of a slog. I never mind riding a 50 mile ride, but I don't like that my bike is geared too high, and have been trying out some of your hacks and shifting suggestions. I have even gone to friction shifters, and love the simplicity and the adjustability of the friction shifters on a triple crankset. Keep it up.
I tend to build my own cassettes and chainring sets from aliexpress so I can get decent gear ranges for both 7 and 8 speeds. I don't need an 11 tooth cog on the back and I don't need anything bigger than 50 tooth on the front.
Sorry to interrupt 😂 I think it's always better to have 11t on the back so you can have smaller chainring(s) on the front therefore making the whole groupset lighter and still have similar ratio. Example:
50/14=~3.5
40/11=~3.6
Though if you have a reason to still want to do it with a cog bigger than 11 would like to know it.
Edit: no MTB has 50t afaik, I think your setup is closer to a road bike. I also am on a 3x7 speed bike like yourself, but i have an 11-42 (vintage Shimano Altus), and it is better than the old 14-48's by a long shot because they are a little bit faster even though they are smaller.
@@Big_Theft_Auto I am an old cyclist so I no longer go crazy downhill. 60 km/h gives me quite enough thrill these days whereas in my youth I only had two speed: stopped and maximum and would regularly reach speeds of 90 km/h. Sometimes I just coast downhill which is something I never used to do. Getting old sucks.
i like gears because they let you pedal more comfortably in more situations (eg: with cargo or luggage, up hills, into winds, through mud or snow, etc..), and i like no-gears because its simple and cheap, easier to store or toss into a car, and less likely to be stolen.
the only kind of bike that deserves to be mocked is a bike that doesn't get used!
To your point, I started riding in 1971 when freewheels were 14,15,16,17,18 called a straight block. The 18 could be switched to a 21. Chain set was 44, 54 or 42, 52. Shaming? Where does the terming "granny gear" come from?
Long live the corn cob!
i copped the same crap years ago when i wanted a 11-32t cassette on my road bike for mountains trip (only to find the said individual is on that gearing himself now) … i don’t care anymore, my setup / gears are there to suit me and me alone, no one else is riding my bike(s) but me! don’t take is personally and remember … from the immortal bards (messers monty & python):
Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse
When you're chewing on life's gristle
Don't grumble, give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best
Always look on the bright side of life
Always look on the light side of life …
I met a Mamil with full spandex, oakley sunglass, 100mph helmet stranded on the road.. because his chain derailed and he doesn't know how to fix it.
Did you help him?
@ Yeeeah
And there’s nothing wrong with what he was wearing.. I agree it would be nice to know how to put a chain back on, but he’s still out there riding.. your description of him is almost a bit elitist in its own way to be honest.. unless he was a jerk about it anyway..
@@Chris_Rides_Bikes agreed. This shaming thing cuts both ways. I don't wear much spandex myself, but I never look down on people who do.
We three need lower gears! And your channel is much appreciated as it often inspires our experimenting (which ends up in some of our Italian speaking channel). Thanks! ❤
My kid says, "Don't yuck somebody's yum!"
Russ, I fiddled around with the gears on my mtb conversion to gravel/touring bike for several years before stumbling on your channel. It's thanks to you that i have learned concepts and vocabulary on this topic. You put me on to friction shifters that are integrated into the brake levers. Stuff like that and much more. As I have written in many comments, I'm an old guy living among hills. I'll take all the help i can get to achieve the view from the top - under my own power. Thanks for all you do. Don't let the turkeys get you down.
Roadies and low gears: today the standard "roadie" setup is 34x50 and 11-34. 34x34 was considered to be a loaded touring gear back in 1972. You and I might not consider 27" a really low gear, but compared with what the gear-shaming crew was running back in the day, things have changed a lot in the past 50 years. "Gravel" is another story; there the typical 2-by is equipped with gears that even you and I would call "low."
I love my lower gears. Helps me ride my bike more often and in more places. This channel helped me to figure out ways to lower them and turn a bike I hated riding into one that I really like now. I’m riding more, which helps with my fitness and find I don’t need the lower gears as often as I used to, but I’m glad they are there when I try a steeper climb, carry a bunch of crap or I’m a bit tired or something. I don’t miss my 50 tooth chainring at all.
Cyclists are generally considered assholes. instagram bikepacker crowd included. Ignore them.
Yeah.. and exactly why i just stopped engaging in multiple bike communities unfortunately. When the majority denominator of unconsciously insecure types start act out in order to be “seen”, it just creates another layer of gatekeeping. Same shit in the auto-enthusiast space.. with their manual vs auto in parallel to bike gearing bullshit. I think they are just so desperate to be different or recognized for a metric or something.. really strange.
So true, the insta bikepackers are the worst always giving you the impression that they are doing so much more than everybody else when in reality riding their bikes is all they do. They have nothing else going on at all.
I love your channel and your quest for low gear and non electronic drivetrains has helped me a lot as bicycles have become fashion and tech statements instead of simple and reliable machines for everyday use (not racing) without needing to plug in everyday.
5:15 Not wanna make you feel bad but your video is just a rant - no idea what you'd like having with "lower gearing". The thing is 2-by are mechanically limited in range, unless you invent a crazy long derailleur-cage with double articulation or so. But 1-by you can get a MTB drivetrain with like 24/26 chainring upfront and 52 on the back, so 2:1... this is quite a transmission. if this isn't enough, what exactly is the target ratio? i genuinely wanna know.
ps. if this ratio you aiming at really is missing in the industry, you may have a product at hand and maybe should try doing some prototyping. if not, it might just be you - no shaming, just a bit of tough love.
pps. i'm a mechanical engineer you better get on it or i steal the product idea 😂 (just joking)
No idea why Russ would want lower gearing than 1x offers? I have the widest range drivetrains of anyone who has commented so far. 2:1 is just getting started. And 2x drivetrains can be setup with WAY more range than 1x. I have cleared a hill on a 36 inch wheel custom mtn bike with a 13x46 low gear, that I have never been able to clear on smaler wheeled bikes with higher gears. A multispeed bicycle with gears is about being able to select the gear you want.
@@oterocanyon4224 i doubt you can achieve a much bigger range with 2x than lets say 520% cassette with 1x. you can get Sram Force with 10-36 cassette and ultra-small 2x, gets you around 500-510% i believe. much more isn't really a thing. but the question wasn't about range anyway :) if one wants low gears, accept not having ultra high gears. i don't think it's really a problem tbh
@@schmerol You're just proving his point
Thanks, Russ, for making this video. I agree there's nothing wrong with wanting fewer gear inches. I've found the information on this channel very helpful. For example, based on info I learned from you, I recently purchased a Shimano GRX RD-RX810 11-speed rear derailleur to use with my Shimano Tiagra SL-4700-R 10x flat bar shifter, along with a 10-speed 11-38t microSHIFT cassette. I now get a 50/11t top gear and a 34/38t low gear for easier climbing up steep hills. I can also later use the RD-RX810 with a 10-speed 11-42t cassette and a 46/30t 2x10 crankset. Good info to know! Keep up the good work!👍
At age 74 I’m more of an e-biker. Yet when I’m in San Barbara during the winter I ride a 5 speed Nexus internal Hub with Rim brakes, no Ebike. I love the simplicity of it.
My wife and I have done 11 bike and barge tours in Europe the past 9 years. This is definitely party pace, maybe even slower. We go to Europe because we have so many options. We have ridden in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France and Italy. Besides Bike and Barge we do side trips renting bikes or hotel to hotel self guided tours. We really enjoy riding in Europe.
I watch your Channel because it is FUN. I like learning about things that are a little different than the norm. It is nice to hear you talk about your two by front derailleur. It is also interesting to hear about you using frictional shifters. These things make you think out of the box. Most of all I like your party-pace, no Lycra, no rules….
Keep doing the good work. You must be doing something right with 187k subscribers. Plus I can tell that you are enjoying life. Don’t let a few who try to shame you get you down. Keep enjoying life🎉
Love (and need) your content, Russ. Keep bringing your perspective to the table and block out the discontents.
I'm sorry that you felt compelled to make this video. I'm considerably overweight, over 70 and I ride my bike several times per week. It is joyful. I'm pleased with your perspective on riding and gear. I just bought an REI Coop bike with a 3x. Thank you.
Dude, I seriously love your content. Keep sharing your content, Bud.
Those other punks are losers
This channel is a breath of fresh air. I mostly tour and do longer rides. I love simple durable bikes. And I will never get rid of my 3x9 gearing that goes to 28 front by 32 rear.
Russ, reading through even a few of these supportive comments from fellow followers, I hope you take at least some comfort in knowing there are many of us out here who love this content and what you are doing. Like others have already mentioned, your content is invaluable, I love the fact that you are so inclusive and pushing for easier riding and equipment. There is without doubt a certain cycling snobbery and haters who exist and I have personally fallen victim of ‘roadies’ thumbing their nose at my limited efforts even though my current bike is hand made and bespoke in very way, lol. Yes, I was once a racing snake with some nice kit but now as a pensioner, who simply loves being out there, 53 x 11 is a thing of the past and good riddance I say! I’m sad to hear you mention that it feels lonely doing what you do but please, please, please know you are far from alone. Keep it up, keep This content going and as you always tell us, keep the supple side down - please. 🙏 Chris.
I ride casually and I race. My first road bike had a triple up front. It was game changing for me and kept me interested in cycling. It’s bothersome that easier gears aren’t more prevalent. No shame in low gearing at all
Good video Russ. Totally agree. I'm 74 and love to ride. I stay in the lowest gear possible. My knees start bothering me after 20 miles or so. I just take my time. I ride slow. It's about the joy of riding. I have a 2015 Electra Verse. 21 speed. The lower 7 is usually where I stay. I love my bike. I love to ride. Have a good day brother. ✌️
There are lot of 74 year olds that can't ride 20 miles. You are doing good.