What Chainring Sizes to Choose for Your Road Bike?
Double Chainrings
The traditional “classic” chainring sizes have long been 53/39. This setup is ideal for well-trained cyclists who ride regularly in groups or competitions. For most riders, however, these gear ratios are oversized and not practical.
Mid-Compact and Compact
Manufacturers have since introduced mid-compact (52/36) and compact (50/34) chainrings. These options are much better suited for recreational and sportive riders. With these chainring sizes, amateur cyclists can tackle a variety of terrains, including alpine or Pyrenean mountain passes.
Sub-Compact
The latest innovation in chainring design is the sub-compact, offering even more accessible gearing options like 48/31 or 46/30. These are particularly suitable for long-distance cycling or gravel riding, which combines road and off-road paths. Sub-compact chainrings, with their reduced sizes, are also an excellent choice for beginners.
What Cassette to Choose Based on Your Cycling Practice?
1:1 Ratio
If you’re a beginner, planning long-distance rides, or tackling mountainous terrain, aim for a 1:1 gear ratio. This means having the same number of teeth on your smallest chainring and largest cassette cog (e.g., 32×32 or 34×34). This setup ensures you can climb most inclines while maintaining a cadence of 60 RPM at just 7.7 km/h.
(Tip: Online tools can help you calculate speed based on gear ratios and cadence.)
Cassette Spacing
An 11/34 cassette provides wide-ranging gearing but has less closely spaced gears, meaning larger jumps between gears. Cyclists focused on performance often prefer cassettes with smaller differences between the smallest and largest cogs. Competitive riders might opt for an 11-25 cassette, while sportive riders tend toward 11-28 or 11-30 for greater versatility. Long-distance and mountain riders often choose 11/32 or 11/34 cassettes.
Examples of Common Road Bike Gearing Combinations
- Beginner: Chainrings 48/31 – Cassette 11/32
- Long-Distance: Chainrings 50/34 – Cassette 11/34
- Sportive Rider: Chainrings 52/36 – Cassette 11/30
- Competitor: Chainrings 53/39 – Cassette 11/25
