Thorn Cycles Forum
Community => Non-Thorn Related => Topic started by: tyreon on August 19, 2021, 01:24:14 pm
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Just purchased a Dawes Duchess. To be used for shopping and as unattractive to would-be thieves. Step thru.
The gearing is 12 -32. But I would like like lower for hills,weighted shopping, and increasing old(e)age.
Is there some cassette 14 - 34? Looked, but cant see any. And if such a cassette could be found,would it need a new lengthened chain for the set up? I have only had the new bike some 2 months.
Its operable and functionable at the moment,but I like to have a spare sprocket available.
Whats with the high gearing on most town bikes? I cant work it out. By loose reckoning I should be doing 20mph on the smallest sprocket. In town riding my max would be 14 mph!!
I need to be beneath 60 again, or Chris Hoy or Chris Froome. Sedate or modest is my speed. If not,slow.
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Wouldn't fitting a smaller chainring be an easier solution? However, looking at this https://winstanleysbikes.co.uk/dawes-duchess-2020-womens-bike the chainring appears to be integrated with the cranks which makes it more expensive than a simple chainring swap.
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Is there some cassette 14 - 34?
Don't know the Dawes (beyond the name), sorry. But, I use an 11-34 Shim Deore 9-spd cassette on my day-rides derailleur bike. (Bought mine online a couple of years ago -- not sure of their current availability.) Linked to a 22-34-46 at the front, it handles steep hills quite well.
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If it's the bike John links to, 7 speed cassettes don't go very high, I think there's 34's available, might even be 36's, but even the 36 is only going to drop the gearing by around 15%, it isn't a lot if you're struggling. A baby chainring, like this 33T one (Assuming the BB it ST), would lower the gearing by around 30%, but you'll be a bit restricted at the top end.
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/chainsets/33-mwave-alloy-single-chainset-with-170-mm-cranks/
The gearing on these bikes isn't designed for Chris Froome, it's designed for those who get off and push on the hills.
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Agree with JohnR. You need a smaller chainring, which probably means a different crank, and that might mean a different bottom bracket.
If you just bought it, can you return it? Or are you locked in to this one?
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Thanks for all replies. Much appreciated.
Plan to stay where I am at the moment. But better informed.
Strange to say,I'm sorta now settled. Later, will look into changing the chainring.
Again,ta.