"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Aerobic big ringing?

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simplyred
05-02-07, 08:36 PM
Is it possible to aerobically and nominally ride in the big ring for hours? [ie. 90+ rpm, zone 2 HR or less]
I'm talking 53/mid cassette [17, 16, 15, 14]...

I'm just frustrated with my training - I need some light at the end of this tunnel :D

asgelle
05-02-07, 09:01 PM
A) http://sheldonbrown.com/gears/ 53x15 = 24.9 mph @90 rpm

B) http://www.nmcycling.org/results/2005/results/RCTT.pdf

a 1 hour effort is virtually entirely aerobic
Enthalpic
05-02-07, 09:39 PM
No problem. A ring is worth like what 2-3 cogs?

ZXiMan
05-02-07, 10:09 PM
I ride mostly in the big ring... even on my long endurance rides :)
ZeCanon
05-02-07, 10:34 PM
There is a light. I spend 95% of my time in the big ring - everything except long or very steep (or both) climbs. I run a 11-23 in the back and but don't go below 53/19 unless I know I'll be back to higher gears soon.
waterrockets
05-02-07, 10:43 PM
Yeah, I did the MS-150 with a 23mph average (big-ring, 186 miles) two weeks ago. All aerobic, other than the attack-fest I went into in Bastrop State Park.
recursive
05-03-07, 07:24 AM
Yeah, I did the MS-150 with a 23mph average (big-ring, 186 miles) two weeks ago. All aerobic, other than the attack-fest I went into in Bastrop State Park.

Damn.
TheKillerPenguin
05-03-07, 07:27 AM
Yup.

of course to be aerobic in the big ring you've got to have the fitness for it.
Ryanf
05-03-07, 07:33 AM
Is it possible to ride in the small ring aerobically for hours?
ZeCanon
05-03-07, 11:14 PM
nope, impossible. You have to be in the big ring to be aerobic.
waterrockets
05-04-07, 06:44 AM
Damn.

For the record, that's not a solo ride ;) I sure pulled a lot, but we had a group of four that stayed together.
simplyred
05-04-07, 08:49 AM
For the record, that's not a solo ride ;) I sure pulled a lot, but we had a group of four that stayed together.

PSsshh... If you kept your mouth shut - you'd be a god. ;) :D
Good work though.
Lecterman
05-06-07, 06:39 AM
I ride mostly in the big ring... even on my long endurance rides :)


I used to as well....when I was living in North Texas.:D

But here in NH/VT, I cannot get by doing that. We've got hills just in my little town that will make your butt pucker.:D
ZXiMan
05-08-07, 11:12 PM
I used to as well....when I was living in North Texas.:D

But here in NH/VT, I cannot get by doing that. We've got hills just in my little town that will make your butt pucker.:D

I ride west of Ft. Worth alot and there are some good long sustained climbs out there.... however, I usually use my 39 ring when climbing.

I climbed 4200ft in 12.5 miles (climbing Seirra Blanca mountain in New Mexico) last year and was glad to have a triple ring at the time. :o I think I averaged just under 8 mph for the entire climb (it took me an hour and a half). Some parts of the climb were 22% grade, so it was not easy... I don't think I could have climbed it with a double... back then anyways. I can now, and intend on shaving 10 minutes from my ascent this september on a Dura-Ace 53/39 (I'm alot fitter and lighter). :)

But you are right, it's pretty easy to stay aerobic in the big ring on the flats