Getting used to the two by set up with a 29er

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines

5.25.2021

This post is testing his 29er two by set up:(34 and 24 front chain rings  11 -42 rear cogs combination)     first with a long ride to MM,, and second, hard climb to Antenna hill.   Anxious about chain falling off, and shifting malfunction.     Fortunately there was none;   the set up was DIY and has not been inspected tested by a bike mechanic.  How would the bike hold out vs conventional set up.

1.  On the flat. - I was even ahead of the group at 34 x 10.  If you compute:   34//10  =  3.4 x 29 inches =  98.6 gear inches nearly near to a 53/12 x 27 = 119.  Of course there is still a 19 gear inches difference.  However, this is tough on the calf muscles.  

Now this is the reason why MTBs overtake even RBs on the ride..   

I computed with an Engineer these gear ratios.

If you have a 38 chain ring in front and you have 10 smallest gear at the back  (SRAM has 9), you have 38/10 =   3.8 x 29  =   110.   Then you are at par with a RB with 53t front chain ring   

2.  Going up  -  I tried the set up at Antenna hills where the climbs are stiff and steep.  I stayed at 34 (the primary gear of the two by) and used mostly 34 x 34, and 34 x 36.  I did not have to shift at 42   I did not shift to the 24 (No 1) gear.

I am happy with the bike performance.  Going two by was just keeping up with the trend, and experiencing what other MTB riders are experiencing,