Fifty Plus (50+) - link to post on the mechanic forum

I meant to post that thread here, but in a 50+ moment, posted it there by mistake. I thought it might be appropriate for a 50+ discussion, since we don't have those 20-something legs anymore (or lungs either).

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=459768

I don't know if you visit the mechanic forum or not, but if you have an interest in commenting on a (nother) triple vs compact double discussion, please join in.

I read through your post in the mechanic's forum but I didn't respond because I didn't feel that I had anything intelligent to say. I don't worry about steady cadence as much as you do.

Man, you need something real to worry about! :D

Heheh. I'm a bit frustrated because the bike should already be here... but won't be 'til next week sometime they now say.

I know I could toss some more money on the table and just have a triple setup put on the bike. But I really don't want to do that right now. So I'm trying to convince myself that I'll be happy with a CD.

Oh yeah. I have other stuff to worry about. This sorta takes my mind off the REAL stuff. ;)

I read through your post in the mechanic's forum but I didn't respond because I didn't feel that I had anything intelligent to say. I don't worry about steady cadence as much as you do.

I wouldn't call it worry... more a comfortable cadence issue for me. If I lay off the bike for a while, I find myself peddling in the upper 70s to low 80s. But once I get back in gear, I'm not comfy below 90, unless I'm just cruisin' along. Plus, I'll get dropped if I start lagging behind... so I need to stay in my optimal power configuration for extended periods of time.

I probably just need more time to get used to the CD setup.

What's wrong with changing several gears (or one more than you already do now) at a time. Modern shifters are wonderful things.

On the MTB, it is not uncommon for me to change a front ring and 3/4 rear cogs simultaneously when a sudden change in terrain comes along. Less than one revolution of the crank later and its over, done, kaput. Now, I will admit that it's a bit easier to do with SRAM twist shifters than with levers cause you can do it in either direction, as far as you want to go. With the STI's you just have to push the lever more often (and faster).

So it's a double stroke of the typical 3 shift changer? You can do a full stroke and let it return while the chain is sorting itself out and shift the last one before it's settled so it really is just as fast to shift 4 cogs in a stroke and a third as it would be to do a 4 shift single stroke... which they don't make anyhow except in twist grip.....

OK. As I suspected... much ado about nothing. ;)

OK. As I suspected... much ado about nothing. ;)

Feel the same way but Cadence is almost set into your legs and body by what you want. If you want to stay at 90 to 100 and something alters that- then it will upset your rhythm. Its just something you will have to adapt to and work a system round it.

I find myself in the 50 and say the 24 on a 12/27 rear cassette. I have one gear left but don't change as that will crosschain. If it looks as though I have to go into the small ring-the 34- I will accelerate a bit, take the pressure off the pedals, and then change down on the front and at the same time change up 4 on the right brifter. Multiple changes on the right brifter and it may take two short pushes or one long push. Dead easy.

That is not that necessary too often as If it is just a short slope then I will get out of the saddle- or if a long one- I would be in the small ring sooner.

And get real- Try a few steep slopes at some time. 15% for a mile or so and see how low your cadence will come down- even if you are in the lowest gear.

Ya know, if I had started out on a compact double and was getting a bike with a triple, I would probably have concerns about going that route too.

I did a metric today and tried to pay attention. The dbl shift and full cog shift wasn't that bad on my cadence... and I could always grab another cog if need be. But I really grew to like how the triple made it all work within the design of the gruppo which would keep my cadence in what I would consider my power band.

Ya know, if I had started out on a compact double and was getting a bike with a triple, I would probably have concerns about going that route too......

So.. what you're telling us is that you're a bike'ochondriac? :D

Probably.

Maybe Bike-a-holic? Not sure if there's a name for my condition.

BO = Bike Obsessed
BA = Bikers Anonymous

Is there a support forum here?

No wait, you're all enablers here! ;)

No, you're the bike'ochondriac and I'd be the Bike'aholic. My sig lies, I've secretly added two more to the collection but I'm still in denial. And still the the lure of N+1 sings its Siren song and I have no one to tie me to the mast so that I may resist..... :twitchy:

And like you I'm not finding any relief from this dibiletating condition from the members around here....:bang:

:D