OK, admittedly a bit, ok a lot, off topic... but Riv people have a ....nuanced relationship with technological biking "advancements." So consider this a philosophical inquiry. (Perhaps even GP will be interested in this unscientific survey) Yesterday as I was out for a very pleasant couple of hours riding in the Green Mountains on my Ram, I had a certain insight into what has added the most to my cycling pleasure during the last 35 years. It was clear. The "compact crank"!
When I took up cycling, as an adult, with full Campy equipment,typical gearing was a 52/42 mated to a 13-23. Even then being wimpy I used a 13-26 and discovered that despite Campy's claims my NR derailler would handle a 28. Still big hills, let alone mountain passes, were agonizing. Now with a 44/30 & 11/28, I can cruise up 8% grades in a near 1 to 1 ratio, and manage the occasional 10-14% ramp without distress even though I am 30 years older. Of course longer 10+% mountain climbs want lower gears. I believe that the compact crank has also driven both front and rear derailler development, yielding crisp shifting over just enough wider range to make a go-fast set up appropriate for tackling lots of hills. Of course, learning the speed and joy are independent variables has also helped a lot. But pain and joy are not. Soooo.... what bicycle development has added the most to your enjoyment during your cycling career? Michael -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/_2LUDiCpMbsJ. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
