Randonneur Essentials Don't Fear The Gears || Choosing Gears for Randonneuring

In this video we discuss gearing for randonneuring and bike touring. Therese Cools takes us through her gear choice and why it's practical to have lots of gear options, especially low gearing for long climbs. Therese is a randonneuse, and her primary focus is long distance self supported riding. I am a recreational bike rider with an interest in bike touring and enjoy the occasional fast group ride or local bike race. Together we share our gearing preferences for different styles of bike rides.

[@ronmatthews1738]

It's really nice to see riders that understand their own needs and chose gears for pragmatic and practical reasons.

[@IQstrategy]

Yes, we should all have 53 & be able to pull 5kg bike down at 100kmh for 100m. Just kidding. I realized the useless 53 when I heard a strong cyclist told me that he never used 53 with 11 ever. I went straight to compact 50/34 & I am now already looking for a 46/30 or a triple. My Sora FC-R3550 9 S was only $17 including shipping; so, I could not resist it.

[@sailingaeolus]

I agree with cools....wide gear range is awesome. Spin if you need to. Grinding wears you out quick.

[@KeithMenne]

Love the soundtrack

[@peterbroberg3081]

Good to hear the triple love! My current bike is a 1x, but I am pretty set on more gears in the future

[@taylorgraham4494]

The rando videos with miss cools are always ace, and your filming skill while riding is always impressive. Nice work with the channel lately!

[@Henrywildeberry]

Thank you very much, Taylor! It's been a lot of fun having Ms. Cools along to share her experience.

[@ronskayakingandfishing414]

Just recently discovered your channel, have seen multiple of your videos. Good information, and superb editing. It's obvious you spend a good bit of time on them, and it's appreciated. Great music in this one. Subscribed. Keep this type of content up, and you will eventually have a huge subscriber base.

[@Henrywildeberry]

Thank you, Ron's Kayaking and Fishing. The edit does take time, but hopefully I'll learn a few more tricks to help speed up the process. Thanks for subscribing.

[@EntropyOCD]

I am building a randonneuring bike and this video helps a bunch. Thank you!

[@skmerti]

7 times to Mt. Diablo in my life. All the respect to Ms Cools with that bike and gear and stuff going up and talking. I had way lighter bike, not even hen kerchief with me and I was dying. The last 300 ft is all hell!!! And you two up there like going to Safeway to buy donuts! You guys are excellent, thank you for great videos.

[@NinthwaveThe]

I just watched a video where Henry could no follow a guy with a fixie on pretty high gear. Amazing!

[@dadwithwrenches]

Would love to see a video about nutrition on long brevets and tours!

[@Henrywildeberry]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@johnpartington6573]

This topic is sooooo important..... but it is personal - what works for me might well not for others. I'm not even sure there is a rough-guide-to except to keep eating what ever works for you. Whilst I'm here and on a related point, food stops can quickly turn into a HUGE loss of time. No faffing at controls. Eat immediately and go-go-go!

[@davidsonvillain]

Just catching this older clip now. I love the back catalogue. You guys live in cycling paradise and appear to be so fun to ride with! Thanks for the scenic, low-key, entertaining videos.

[@Henrywildeberry]

I appreciate the comment, thanks Matt!

[@lorenzsiggel1515]

Simpler times. You definitely have the best music along with good content

[@jpguthrie6669]

I've got an old Randonneuse with a Simplex 2x4 driveline, it's murder in the mountains, but I hate to modify a bike which has gone 70 years with its original parts still intact.

[@davec6087]

Great ride, Great music. I did that ride a few times back in the day. Thanks for keeping the triple chainring mindset in play. All those ratios (yes, there is a little duplication) within a wide range are good. So it adds a bit of weight, the mechanical advantage it provides more than makes up for it. Keep the videos coming!

[@TimSchmidt_art]

That whole "Incense and Peppermint" downhill was very well done, and I'm now in love with Ms. Cools.

[@adrianvanveen9912]

Cycling is fun, proof right here. You are both awesome riders with great mounts. Thanks for the video.

[@Henrywildeberry]

Thanks Adrian!

[@CanyonWanderer]

What a wonderful road, excellent!, Loved the music, especially on the descent. I understand the versatility of the triple up front, but living in The Netherlands the average gradient is 0.05%. Although I do have a bike with 48-36-26 at the front, I have used the middle ring a few times (currently front derailleur does not shift at all) and TBH the 26 is still pristine 😀 It all depends on the environment and both of you chose very well for the challenge at hand 👍🏻

[@darrend5563]

My wife and I are thinking of doing the reverse migration from Seattle to the Bay Area since she's from Mendocino County and we have family and friends there. Your videos are definitely motivating me to make it happen. Cheers!

[@Jon-cw7gk]

I have a triple too. I hear so much about gear ranges. Triple gets the job done with nice steps between gears

[@tawanga]

In these days of 1x11 drivetrains, it's nice to see triples getting some love. I have them on all my bikes. If you liked Diablo, you should try Mt. Hamilton. Those rides are pretty hot in the summer but awesome in the winter.

[@Henrywildeberry]

I'm glad to hear you're helping to keep the triple alive! Thanks for the Hamilton suggestion. We need to get over there and ride it soon!

[@scottchudley8646]

New to the channel...what a great find! Really enjoying your content.

[@flpirate45]

You two must have the lungs of King Kong 's little brother on those climbs. The best reward is definitely the down hill back. Another great video. Thanks. Puul

[@Henrywildeberry]

Thanks Paul! We filmed this just after coming home from the Reno to Sac tour, so we had altitude and miles in our legs.

[@alanjohnson8396]

Excellent insight shared here. We’ll done both of you.

[@JosephDowski]

Yay! Just logged on on a Sunday morning and what a pleasant surprise to have a fresh new video from you on minutes old! Love the old Strawberry Alarm Clock tune too! :)

[@Henrywildeberry]

I'm glad you liked the music choice! Thanks for watching, Joseph!

[@MonoLake02]

Love Mt. Diablo ! I was nearly blown off the road near the top on the way up and the way down. I learned later that it is one of windiest places in the state, duh...

[@Henrywildeberry]

I'm glad you survived! It can get pretty hot out there too.

[@noonster55]

I wanna go there now... I use to go there in the mid 70's when I was stationed at Concord... Now I'm in San Diego...I know where Im going this summer.

[@Henrywildeberry]

Excellent! Diablo is fun climb, and a very consistent grade.

[@vincebikesnyc]

breathtaking views up that summit.

[@edrockdale4247]

I'm impressed. From the traffic, I'm guessing you did your ride on a weekday. Ms Cools low gears were perfect for that last climb. That climb is exactly what you don't want to see after a noteworthy climb up to a beautiful spot to view the bay area.

[@Henrywildeberry]

It's a brutal finish, and those extra gears at the top make all the difference!

[@edcatt9196]

Nice video, and interesting take on gear ratios. Though I have a lot of gravel/dirt roads to ride on (and there are some interesting MTB trails as well), and I'm not out for the racing scene (more of tour/ramble/sight-seeing ride, alone and sometimes with friends) the 2018 AWOL I have, with 50-39- 31 chain ring set, and 12-26 rear cassette, works great. I tend to ride mainly on the 39 tooth ring in front, but I like having that third ring in front for the longer, and windier, hill sections we have here. The AWOL is a steel (real!) frame, and I love it. It's a bit of a retro-looking bike frame, and I like that as well. I enjoy your videos. Keep 'em coming!

[@francisnep6761]

Great video! Mt Diablo is just about in my backyard, and every time I ride up I end up playing the "Just around the next corner" game. Unfortunately, it always seems to be 8 or 10 more corners.

[@theresecools3079]

"Just around the corner" is like 'just one more climb"!

[@vagabond-yj8pn]

Great vid and music.

[@cyclingboss469]

Mt Diablo is on my list. I have no problem with putting on proper gears. I just need to get to the top and don't care to mash at 50rpm doing it.

[@itsacorporatething]

I drove to the top of Mt Diablo. But someday I’ll ride my bike up it.

[@james-p]

I'm guessing Ms. Cools is riding 26" wheels? That would put her low gear at about 19 gear-inches overall, which would be handy to know. Great vid, thanks!

[@Henrywildeberry]

Close, but these are 650b size wheels and tires.

[@james-p]

@@Henrywildeberry Ah, OK - I just assumed 26" for toe clearance because of the small frame plus fenders. So that would be closer to 20 gear-inches then - thanks again.

[@DIY-DaddyO]

I’m thinking of building me a Rando. Looks fun to enjoy the ride rather than playing at racing.

[@Henrywildeberry]

They’re fun bikes for sure. I personally like the features of a rando bike like the fenders, lights and rack/bag to extend the ride as far as you want. They make perfect credit card tourers too. Go for a one way ride and hop on the train home. Racing is great too and helps to build the fitness to get out and explore. Touring builds a solid base for racing. They can certainly complement each other. Training on a slightly heavier bike will build your leg strength too! I see it as a win-win. Besides, rando bikes get way more attention.

[@ansismaleckis1296]

You can put a spacer between the hanger and derailleur that might allow you to use 11-36 or even a 11-40 cassette and will not change appearance of your bike. It is called RoadLink by Wolf Tooth but there are also cheaper knock-off options available from e-bay.

[@Henrywildeberry]

I'll check it out, thanks Ansis Maleckis!

[@RobertHill]

I just did this, using Tiagra 4700, 52/34 crankset, and an 11-40T cassette matched with the Roadlink. I am a believer now. This is freaking awesome, and I am sure I'll be able to spin up any climb anywhere near the Bay Area.

[@RobertHill]

@Robert Trageser I've refined my above setup since my comment, and I am happy to report that the Ultegra RX800/805 rear derailleur will wrap enough chain, and does *not* need a Roadlink, which keeps the guide pulley much closer to the cog, and shifting is basically as-stock. This only works with modern 11speed or Tiagra 4700, naturally, because of the cable pull ratio changes. Just a heads up in case you get a customer that can use this trick.

[@RobertHill]

The RX800 is available with a GS cage only, 39T capacity. Both cross chained combos work perfectly, though small-small isn't something I'd want to ride in for long without the clutch engaged (it doesn't slack up, but it will slap the chainstay.) I'll try to get a video uploaded to demo it, and I'll send you a ping when I do.

[@RobertHill]

I ride out of SF, I totally get it haha. The plus side is Tiagra is still 10-speed, but uses 11-speed pull ratios. My wheels have none of the downsides of building for 11-speed. I also run 27.5 MTB wheels on my rig because I do a lot of mixed terrain stuff.

[@Ramenscooter]

love it always!

[@hawkrider88]

Has Miss Cools ever considered clip-in pedals? I know they aren't for everyone, but once you get used to them the way they can help you climb hills is much more efficient and pain free.

[@nicow6808]

Hard to clip on in the middle of a climb

[@howdyjohnny1255]

Great video!

[@Henrywildeberry]

Thanks Howdy Johnny!

[@mikemaxwell2591]

Randonneuring, for riders that ride. Just stopped to like and comment having not done so first time watched when I didn't have an account. Be well Wildberry/Cools.

[@MrNewlife1968]

I like triples!

[@EzaVinylAddict]

Nice Mt Tam the birth of mountain biking.

[@Hertog_von_Berkshire]

Raleigh Randonneur - late 1980s, early 1990s - just about the most perfect bicycle ever built.

[@Henrywildeberry]

The 80's and 90's had some of the nicest off the shelf bikes. The prices were reasonable then too. I still have fond memories of my first Specialized Hardrock, a steel frame rigid mountain bike.

[@Hertog_von_Berkshire]

@@Henrywildeberry, I have a whole bunch of steel from the 1970s/80s/90s, mostly Raleighs and Carltons but also a Claud Butler and a very early (very heavy) MTB by MBK. I'm afraid they are addictive.

[@noelyates]

Raleigh Royal bought new in 1991, 3x7, could not stretch to a Randonneur at the time but have been very happy with the Royal. "Made in England".

[@xavierderck3910]

Living in Ireland, often cycling in the mountains in the West.and Indeed, the Raleigh is the perfect bike for it. I bought one for 30 €but fully restored. By far my favourite bike in every circumstance

[@jacobtaylor4258]

great vlog, could be a long shot but, any idea what bars miss cool was using, i like those they look comfy.

[@Henrywildeberry]

Thanks Jacob! The bars are a Nitto Randonneur bar. They make a few options with different reach and drop. They have a slight flare in the drops and an upsweep. It's a nice long distance/touring bar.

[@jacobtaylor4258]

@@HenrywildeberryThank you for your response, i just had a similar experience on facebook, bicycle touring site, what a great community the bike backpackers are, thank you, and you stay safe.

[@DanielRidings-SE]

Funny how the narrator is often out of breath ;-) Thanks for the film. Enjoy the views.

[@Henrywildeberry]

Keeping up with these "randonneur's" is a chore, and they never get tired!

[@dreamcyclevancouver]

Curious if you know about the pulley/jockey wheel friction shifters hack? When using an indexed deraileur you swap the guide & tension pulley/jockey wheels whick gives you more precise friction shifting! Thank you, your welcome.

[@nathanmace3936]

Thinking of doing my first official brevet. Any extra tips? I do a race across Indiana every year that's 160 miles usually no problem. I just want to enjoy what I'm doing. I don't really like racing people. I feel this is a good middle of the road.

[@soissesglaubsmir292]

Hey - that´s really pretty light luggage for randonneuring! So would be really interested in knowing how you got all the necessary stuff for several days packed in this pretty small front bag!? :/

[@theresecools3079]

Hi Soisses! For a long randonneuring ride I usually would just pack an extra layer for warmth and back up nutrition in my front bag. If the ride involves sleeping I might rinse my bike clothes at the hotel room and let them dry while I sleep. There are usually places to stop and get more food along the way so I don't have to load up on food all at once.

[@soissesglaubsmir292]

@@theresecools3079 Something very similar to this i expected to receive :-/

[@GLedesma]

Could y'all talk about foot retention and shoe preference? I use MKS pedals with double straps, and a pair of dedicated sidi touring shoes

[@johnshort4421]

Good point. I would like to know what shoes it is those are Therese is wearing doing the miles and the rides that she does. I see you are riding in cycling shoes and clipless pedals, can she not be talked over to the dark side of such benefits?

[@Henrywildeberry]

Hi G Ledesma, she talks a little about this in the video called Q&A with Ms. Cools.

[@brianstevenson4651]

Question for Miss Cools. What are your thoughts on bar end shifters? I see you chose downtube shifters on both of your bikes. I'm about to upgrade (despite people telling me it's a downgrade) my bike from a sram single to a triple and choosing a shifter is the hardest part. When I watch you lean down to the downtube to shift it seems less convenient than a bar end setup. Is there a reason you prefer that arrangement?

[@Henrywildeberry]

I'll let Ms. Cools give you her answer, but my preference for DT shifters over bar ends has to do with having the extra cables to route and the possibility of bumping the shifter while climbing out of the saddle.

[@theresecools3079]

Brian Stevenson Hello, Bryan! I have had bar end shifters in the past but I found that they often hit my knees when I was climbing up steepish gradients which was uncomfortable and often left little bruises. I also find that it is just as easy to reach to the downtube to shift as to reach to the end of the bars and shift. For those reasons I prefer downtube shifters. Happy riding and best of luck on your bike upgrades!

[@brianstevenson4651]

@@theresecools3079 and Henry thank you both for the replies. Shifters contacting the legs wasn't even something I considered. Please keep up the great videos I've really been enjoying the content. Your rides make me want to move to Cali. I got my first 650B bike last month and it's made me fall in love with cycling all over again.

[@DanielRidings-SE]

@@theresecools3079 Agreed. The biggest reason I prefer downtube shifters is for hand movement. When you've been out a couple of days, hours, and hours, and hours, ... it is nice to get that frequent pressure release on your hands by having to move them from the bars. Modern "brifters" are a a killer for me. Bar-ends would have the same disadvantage, for me. We're all different.

[@houseofpills]

DT shifters are wicked easy to fix on the road and so streamlined. I love the high end Suntour ratcheting DT shifters of the 1980s; Dia-Compe's new offerings are a facsimile of that exact Suntour design. My commuter has Albatross bars with Suntour bar-ends and that, in my opinion, is a ideal application-- the cable and housing flow very naturally from the handlebars (compared to drops) and you can easily palm said shifters while still maintaining an upright posture.

[@aintnobodygottime4dat]

what's the front rack on Therese's bike?

[@donaldvinsonhaler9698]

If your rear derailleur works with a 1134 it will work with a 1136.

[@Henrywildeberry]

Mine is an old SunTour Mountech. It's on its final days. I'll be upgrading it soon to a newer long cage to be able to run bigger gears on the back. This is rear Der. barely works with the 34 and I had to file down the high side stop in order to get enough throw. I'm looking at a newer 9 speed Deore mountain bike derailleur like the one on my new bike. Its a great value at $40.00!

[@odetocycling]

Just stumbled across kzbin.info and thought straight away of you and Mz Cools as a: he looks like an older version of you; lives in CA; and has an awesome series on preparing for PBP. Hope you guys enjoy and find it useful

[@Henrywildeberry]

Thanks Bob! I've been watching his videos too. Great content! Ms. Cools is actually in the background at one of the control stops in one of his brevet videos.

[@huesitoggy]

Why mrs cool dont use a brooks saddle?

[@Henrywildeberry]

She had one on her Rawland Cycles Ravn and for some reason didn't like it. I think if she found a width that was more suited to her shape she would like it.

[@huesitoggy]

Thanks Henry,saludos desde Mexico,excuse my english!!

[@dryvibe]

The front bag, what's it called?

[@houseofpills]

That's a randonneuring bag. A few different companies make them. I like my Ostrich but Gilles Berthoud rando bags are awesome, too.

[@philiprayner]

can you Randonneur on an e bike?

[@Henrywildeberry]

I don't believe e-bikes are allowed for credit, but you might be allowed to ride. Check with RUSA.

[@OldschoolDT]

Hi, which Handlebar use Therese on her Bike? Regards Armin

[@Henrywildeberry]

Hi Armin, She is using a Nitto Grand Randonneur bar.

[@attybong]

ms cools' pink bike is much better now .. i think this bike's toptube is too long for her.

[@robertstan2349]

go single speed 😋

[@anthonykelly5]

great rider but that bike is way to big for her.

[@12sjdjsisis]

Too slow