[RBW] Re: Un-racer advice needed
I'll keep it simpledump the 50 tooth and get a 44 tooth biggie at the same time convert to a 12-32 or 12-34 8 or 9 speed cassette. A triple using 24x34x44 is nice as is a 22x32x44 MTB crankset. My Hillborne is set up with a 24x34x44 12-28 seven and my Surly a 22x32x44 12-32 seven. I am old, fat and live in rolling/hilly country. These combos allow me to stay in the big ring for longer and the super low is great for the steep climbs and when I am tired. On Wednesday, January 16, 2013 9:49:57 AM UTC-8, Michael wrote: > > I have a compact crankset that came on the Bleriot with 36/50 rings. I > spend 95% of my time in the small ring because my area is rolling terrain > and I am just not strong enough to stay in the big ring for very long > around here. > So my question is: > > Does one need to train to be strong enough to stay in the big ring alot? > > I am under the impression that people stay in the big ring and only drop > to the small ring for climbs. I am average size and build. What am I > missing? > -- 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/-/SnhU8ruPp04J. 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.
[RBW] Re: Un-racer advice needed
http://www.gear-calculator.com/# is also a fantastic resource. I don't know if there are technical points that are missing from one or the other but the graphical nature of it appeals to me more than the sheldon page. On Wednesday, January 16, 2013 12:05:01 PM UTC-8, Ron Mc wrote: > > have you been through a gear calculator? http://sheldonbrown.com/gears/ > put in the gears you know you're keeping, include the 50 chainring first, > then vary the 50 (smaller) and check the results. If you find a chainring > size that gives you more useful gears and few overlaps, it's worth swapping > out the big chainring to something (not randomly) smaller. > > > On Wednesday, January 16, 2013 11:49:57 AM UTC-6, Michael wrote: >> >> I have a compact crankset that came on the Bleriot with 36/50 rings. I >> spend 95% of my time in the small ring because my area is rolling terrain >> and I am just not strong enough to stay in the big ring for very long >> around here. >> So my question is: >> >> Does one need to train to be strong enough to stay in the big ring alot? >> >> I am under the impression that people stay in the big ring and only drop >> to the small ring for climbs. I am average size and build. What am I >> missing? >> > -- 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/-/cm3r2lro5fQJ. 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.
[RBW] Re: Un-racer advice needed
People are starting to realize that even compacts are geared pretty high for the average person. a 50 is fine for me if I'm going out on a serious ride or I am riding in a paceline, but for rides like the commute, I prefer going with a lower top end gear to prevent too much front shifting and cross chaining. I run a 48/34 on my commuting/trail 650B bike, and I even think I can use a 46. On Wednesday, January 16, 2013 9:49:57 AM UTC-8, Michael wrote: > > I have a compact crankset that came on the Bleriot with 36/50 rings. I > spend 95% of my time in the small ring because my area is rolling terrain > and I am just not strong enough to stay in the big ring for very long > around here. > So my question is: > > Does one need to train to be strong enough to stay in the big ring alot? > > I am under the impression that people stay in the big ring and only drop > to the small ring for climbs. I am average size and build. What am I > missing? > -- 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/-/pDEjmlrpYrcJ. 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.
[RBW] Re: Un-racer advice needed
One thing to consider is the importance of being in your big ring for the downhills for two reasons: To lessen chain slap and, in the case of a crash, the teeth on the big ring are under the chain and its better to be covered in greasy chain marks on your legs VS the teeth of the exposed big ring tearing into flesh! On Wednesday, January 16, 2013 10:49:57 AM UTC-7, Michael wrote: > > I have a compact crankset that came on the Bleriot with 36/50 rings. I > spend 95% of my time in the small ring because my area is rolling terrain > and I am just not strong enough to stay in the big ring for very long > around here. > So my question is: > > Does one need to train to be strong enough to stay in the big ring alot? > > I am under the impression that people stay in the big ring and only drop > to the small ring for climbs. I am average size and build. What am I > missing? > -- 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/-/4mnTRn1lZykJ. 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.
Re: [RBW] Re: Un-racer advice needed
Speaking of big rings and little rings without considering either the number of teeth on the chain rings or the number of teeth on the sprocket being used leads to nothing but confusion. Gear charts are called for here. Figure out the gear inches (or development) you as a rider need for the various types of hills in your riding area, then figure out an effective and efficient way to get that gear, considering issues such as chain line, where the crossovers occur, how low a low and how high a high you need, etc. Here's Jan's approach: When I select my gearing, I think of three gears: * Base gear: This is the gear I mostly use on flat roads when spinning along. * High gear: This is the largest gear that I use when I am sprinting for a city limit sign with friends, or riding with a powerful tailwind. * Low gear: This is the smallest gear I need on the roads I usually ride. In addition to covering the range from low to high gear, a good gear selection will do the following: * Put the base gear in the middle of the rear freewheel/cassette, so that I can adjust to changes in speed and terrain with a simple shift or two in the rear. * Provide small enough steps between gears, so that I can continue pedaling seamlessly. I don’t worry about duplicate gears, if they fall in the range where I ride frequently. In fact, some overlap is not just OK, it’s desirable. --http://janheine.wordpress.com/2012/11/03/how-to-choose-your-chainrings/ 34/50 seems to work for very strong riders, but recreational riders can end up with gearing where the base gear is so far from the center of the cassette a cross over in front (with attendant multiple shifts in back) is required for even slight changes in grade. That's a recipe for frustration. Staying on the small ring, however, can mean spending all your time on 11, 12 and 13 tooth sprockets in back; those small sprockets are inefficient and what's more, they wear quickly. On Wed, 2013-01-16 at 12:37 -0800, Lynne Fitz wrote: > I have the Sugino triple on both my Riv and my Sweetpea (both are > rando bikes, but the Sweetpea is getting the distance love now). > 12-27 in back. I spend very little time on the big ring. I climb in > the small ring. Depends on your fitness level. My riding partner > climbs in the middle ring, but he's really, really strong. > > On Wednesday, January 16, 2013 9:49:57 AM UTC-8, Michael wrote: > I have a compact crankset that came on the Bleriot with 36/50 > rings. I spend 95% of my time in the small ring because my > area is rolling terrain and I am just not strong enough to > stay in the big ring for very long around here. > So my question is: > > Does one need to train to be strong enough to stay in the big > ring alot? > > I am under the impression that people stay in the big ring and > only drop to the small ring for climbs. I am average size and > build. What am I missing? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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.
[RBW] Re: Un-racer advice needed
I'm running a 44/30 double with a 12-27 9sp cassette on my raciest bike. My days of running a 50T ring are over. On Wednesday, January 16, 2013 9:49:57 AM UTC-8, Michael wrote: > > I have a compact crankset that came on the Bleriot with 36/50 rings. I > spend 95% of my time in the small ring because my area is rolling terrain > and I am just not strong enough to stay in the big ring for very long > around here. > So my question is: > > Does one need to train to be strong enough to stay in the big ring alot? > > I am under the impression that people stay in the big ring and only drop > to the small ring for climbs. I am average size and build. What am I > missing? > -- 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/-/xC9S23iF8aoJ. 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.
[RBW] Re: Un-racer advice needed
I doubt it's worth changing a big ring from 50 to 46 if you ride in the 36 most of the time, it's just not worth it. And the difference between the 46 and 50 is essentially a half step. If you're running more than 7 cogs , the point becomes more moot. If your 50 was needing replacing, that'd be the time to change it, or if you REALLY need those half steps, but as I said, with 7-10 speed cogs there's more than enough gears for recreational riding. Even racing really it's not like the racers of yore suffered a lack of speed from gear choices ... lol. It's all mental and emotional anyways ... lol. All of it. Enjoy the be-ing. BE-ing the bike, the ride ... all of "This" . :) -- 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/-/8Naq1jwW1d8J. 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.
[RBW] Re: Un-racer advice needed
I have the Sugino triple on both my Riv and my Sweetpea (both are rando bikes, but the Sweetpea is getting the distance love now). 12-27 in back. I spend very little time on the big ring. I climb in the small ring. Depends on your fitness level. My riding partner climbs in the middle ring, but he's really, really strong. On Wednesday, January 16, 2013 9:49:57 AM UTC-8, Michael wrote: > > I have a compact crankset that came on the Bleriot with 36/50 rings. I > spend 95% of my time in the small ring because my area is rolling terrain > and I am just not strong enough to stay in the big ring for very long > around here. > So my question is: > > Does one need to train to be strong enough to stay in the big ring alot? > > I am under the impression that people stay in the big ring and only drop > to the small ring for climbs. I am average size and build. What am I > missing? > -- 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/-/Apdx-eZiqF0J. 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.
[RBW] Re: Un-racer advice needed
have you been through a gear calculator? http://sheldonbrown.com/gears/ put in the gears you know you're keeping, include the 50 chainring first, then vary the 50 (smaller) and check the results. If you find a chainring size that gives you more useful gears and few overlaps, it's worth swapping out the big chainring to something (not randomly) smaller. On Wednesday, January 16, 2013 11:49:57 AM UTC-6, Michael wrote: > > I have a compact crankset that came on the Bleriot with 36/50 rings. I > spend 95% of my time in the small ring because my area is rolling terrain > and I am just not strong enough to stay in the big ring for very long > around here. > So my question is: > > Does one need to train to be strong enough to stay in the big ring alot? > > I am under the impression that people stay in the big ring and only drop > to the small ring for climbs. I am average size and build. What am I > missing? > -- 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/-/1SV2hDHYqRkJ. 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.
Re: [RBW] Re: Un-racer advice needed
I wouldn't consider myself a "weak" rider, but I have no shame in wanting and needing a triple crank on all my bikes--not only triples, but compact triples with 24-38-48 or similar. Even on my go faster bike, I like to do hills with 15%+ grades and have a much more enjoyable time on my 24 crank than a 30 or 34 crank. Maybe if I were 20 years younger, then I could go with a 46-30, but I would imagine it's all downhill from here and I am more likely to need lower gears as I age :). Toshi -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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.
Re: [RBW] Re: Un-racer advice needed
OK, I get it. If I were in your position -- big ring not much use, middle ring good for cruising but lacking the highs and lows needed -- I'd carefully consider a wide range double, though this might mean finagling your cassette to a custom pattern. On my Fargo I recently switched to a 38/24 with (Big Apple wheelset) 13-15-16-17-19-22-26-34 8 speed cassette. Since the 38 is actually in the middle position for a triple (I've got a chain guard on the outer ring position) this allows me to use the 38 with the full cassette and gives me a high of 85", cruising gears of 69", 64", and 58" (the drop from 64" to 58" is particularly useful on dirt roads), dirt rollers gears of 58", 50", and 42", and a low on the big ring of 32" which is low enough to get me up most hills. The 24 takes care of anything else. I could reduce the jumps by going 9 speed, but I don't really care for the kind of riding I do. Or do what I did to the Fargo before: 46/36/24 and a 7 sp 16-18-20-22-24-28-34 (29" wheels) that let me go from 83" down to 48" on the 46 and down to 31" on the 36. (I switched because, on dirt, I too often had to shift between 46 and 36 to stay in the dirt road gear range of 65" down to 40". But a large like that ought to be useful to you, and you could leave the middle for hills. Patrick "A custom cassette is merely parts for building a better one of your own" Moore On Wed, Jan 16, 2013 at 11:40 AM, Michael wrote: > @Patrick: > > I guess my dissatisfaction is with the 34 ring being not low enough for > climbs, while being too low for downhills. The big ring being too big for > everything but downhills for me. > > This drivetrain has been well used, and I think I will have to replace > cogs/chainrings/and chain all at once when I need to. So I am starting to > think about if I want to go compact next time, or just get a triple. I > think a triple will be best. > > -- > 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/-/SekxlqkvWEAJ. > 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. > -- - Patrick Moore, Albuquerque, NM, USA For professional resumes, contact Patrick Moore, ACRW http://resumespecialties.com/index.html - -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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.
[RBW] Re: Un-racer advice needed
I say, if you're rarely using the big ring, then it's too big! Make the bike fit your riding style, don't change your riding style or feel like you have to "train" to use it properly. That's part of the un-racer ethos, isn't it? Go for a smaller big ring! It's a relatively cheap mod to do. I prefer a 48t big ring on my compact double for flat to rolling terrain (which puts me in the middle of my cassette), but I wouldn't be afraid to try even smaller--46, 44, or even 42t, if that's what lets you use it for more of the time. Don't forget to (or have a pro wrench) re-adjust your front derailleur father down the seattube to match the smaller big ring, or else your front shifting performance will be degraded. On Wednesday, January 16, 2013 10:34:45 AM UTC-8, Michael wrote: > > Sorry, its a *34*/50 crankset with 12-27 10-speed in the rear. >> > I ride on well maintained roads with rolling terrain. Short hill after >> short hill after short hill. Throw in a few long hills. Not many flats. And >> most flats are tilted up or down. >> > Usually I do about 15 mph. I just stay on the outer cogs for the flats > and spin out on the downhills with the inner chainring. The 34 inner ring > is not low enough for some the longer climbs. > >> >> > I had a triple before this bike. I stayed in the 39 tooth middle ring for > 95% of the time. Dropped to the small ring for climbs. I think when this > Bleriot's drivetrain is shot, I may go with a triple. > > BTW: > Sorry if this is a little OT, but I wanted to hear ideas from fellow > un-racers, and Riv-riders. > > -- 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/-/VLcnZkfwRAsJ. 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.
Re: [RBW] Re: Un-racer advice needed
On Wed, Jan 16, 2013 at 10:40 AM, Michael wrote: > > I guess my dissatisfaction is with the 34 ring being not low enough for > climbs, while being too low for downhills. The big ring being too big for > everything but downhills for me. Triples are fine. I like sub-compact doubles -- I use a 46/30 on a mostly road bike, and I use a 36/24 on a bike that goes on the trails a lot. Both are triple cranks with rings in the middle and granny position. jim m wc ca -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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.
[RBW] Re: Un-racer advice needed
@Patrick: I guess my dissatisfaction is with the 34 ring being not low enough for climbs, while being too low for downhills. The big ring being too big for everything but downhills for me. This drivetrain has been well used, and I think I will have to replace cogs/chainrings/and chain all at once when I need to. So I am starting to think about if I want to go compact next time, or just get a triple. I think a triple will be best. -- 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/-/SekxlqkvWEAJ. 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.
Re: [RBW] Re: Un-racer advice needed
I probably should have asked about the rear derailuer too, but why not swap out to a bigger cassette? Nashbar has a Shimano SLX 11-32 for fifty buck right now. On Wed, Jan 16, 2013 at 1:34 PM, Michael wrote: > Sorry, its a *34*/50 crankset with 12-27 10-speed in the rear. >> > I ride on well maintained roads with rolling terrain. Short hill after >> short hill after short hill. Throw in a few long hills. Not many flats. And >> most flats are tilted up or down. >> > Usually I do about 15 mph. I just stay on the outer cogs for the flats > and spin out on the downhills with the inner chainring. The 34 inner ring > is not low enough for some the longer climbs. > >> >> > I had a triple before this bike. I stayed in the 39 tooth middle ring for > 95% of the time. Dropped to the small ring for climbs. I think when this > Bleriot's drivetrain is shot, I may go with a triple. > > BTW: > Sorry if this is a little OT, but I wanted to hear ideas from fellow > un-racers, and Riv-riders. > > > -- > 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/-/JvRzKn_lIVsJ. > > 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. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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.
[RBW] Re: Un-racer advice needed
> > Sorry, its a *34*/50 crankset with 12-27 10-speed in the rear. > I ride on well maintained roads with rolling terrain. Short hill after > short hill after short hill. Throw in a few long hills. Not many flats. And > most flats are tilted up or down. > Usually I do about 15 mph. I just stay on the outer cogs for the flats and spin out on the downhills with the inner chainring. The 34 inner ring is not low enough for some the longer climbs. > > I had a triple before this bike. I stayed in the 39 tooth middle ring for 95% of the time. Dropped to the small ring for climbs. I think when this Bleriot's drivetrain is shot, I may go with a triple. BTW: Sorry if this is a little OT, but I wanted to hear ideas from fellow un-racers, and Riv-riders. -- 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/-/JvRzKn_lIVsJ. 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.
[RBW] Re: Un-racer advice needed
You're not missing anything Michael . You ride as you ride. There is no standard "way" or method to ride a bike ! The "impression" of riders riding in the big ring most of the time may be true for a racing cyclist who's sole goal is to ride as fast as possible at any cost, but "they" are not "you". Only you decide for you and celebrate that. -- 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/-/Nde-Jkp4q98J. 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.
