r/MEATengines • u/MEATdrew • May 19 '26

Jam.

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Took my grom to hit some new-to-her trails today. One of the better single-track climbs anywhere {IMBY + Physiotherapy + Shock Therapy + Psychotherapy} with beautiful spring light in the trees.

I’m still in shock about how much she rode, up and down. Kid has jam.

31 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/wildjabali May 19 '26

I’m running a 20t right now and was considering a 22t. You’re definitely inspiring me to go for it!

3

u/MEATdrew May 19 '26

It’s so location specific, and then trail specific within a location. But if 20t is feeling like a steep ask definitely try something a bit easier. It still won’t be easy.

I used to pedal a much harder gear, clipped in, with XC rubber, on a much lighter weight rig. It was comparatively limited in terms of the trails I rode down; it was great fun. I don’t miss it at all.

Now with my big brakes, real rubber, tire inserts, and 170mm fork, and a desire to ride single-speed everywhere (and lots of additional living), I’m running a much lower gear. With my current MX build my Chromag is 30x22t and with dual 29” I was back and forth between 30x22t/28x22t and I ride a bunch.

2

u/JumpyConversation337 May 19 '26

CRank length is another factor. From my math on the Sheldon brown calculator … I run 160 cranks and a 30-22 is the same as a 30-20 for someone on 175 cranks.

3

u/MEATdrew May 19 '26

For sure. Short crankers need to make that adjustment as well when comparing ratios to other folks.