"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - In a flat crit...

Assuming it's a bunch sprint, what gear do you start your sprint in?

53x11

All kidding aside, too many variables to tell you a specific gear.
For example:
Distance to finish, start speed of sprint, type of sprint, and on and on

41

41

I was going to but thought I would give the benefit of the doubt.

Assuming it's a bunch sprint, what gear do you start your sprint in?

yes.

So a question about sprinting at the end of a RACE goes in the 41? Then what goes in Road Bike RACING? Twitter feeds?

Oh boy...
Ok I'll be nice.
In a flat crit I will start a sprint in a 53x12 and drop to a 53x11 assuming that the sprint starts in around 38-40 mph.

All kidding aside, too many variables to tell you a specific gear.
For example:
Distance to finish, start speed of sprint, type of sprint, and on and on

correct

speed, distance, headwind, tailwind, sidewind?

I hate flat sprints. I'd much rather go into a slight uphill or a real uphill.

Basically what rkwaki said is right - if the lead out is good and is going 38-40 mph, a 12 is about the easiest gear to jump in.

When things are not quite so good, speeds more like 35-36 mph, a 14 might do it, maybe a 13.

If there's a hairpin before the sprint maybe a 15 or 14. This also depends on wheel weight, since significantly lighter wheels will spin up quicker (maybe one or two fewer downstrokes).

I did a bit of semi-logical analysis of my sprint. I found that my best peak power came when I jumped at about 100-110 rpm. I think. I have to check my notes. Anyway whatever the rpm, it was at a higher rpm than where I normally jump (70-80 rpm). I consciously changed my sprint one week, actually checking my cadence on my computer about 200m to go, shifted into an easier gear to get into the right rpm range then sprinted.

I found my experiment:
http://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.com/2009/02/training-analyzing-my-jump.html

So I guess I jump best at 95 rpm, give or take, and really taper at 105 rpm.

What that means is the answer to the original question is "whatever gear I need to be in, at the speed when I jump, to be pedaling at about 95 rpm."

cool CDR, thanks a lot.

The real question is "what lap do you start your sprint in".. I've heard of at least one person that starts it at the registration table, but he's usually wearing his loafers.

Like CDR alluded, a better question is "what rpm do you start your sprint in?"
Even then, the biggest factor will be your personal preference.

Pick the appropriate gear to start your sprint at a given rpm. The gear is the variable; it will depend on the conditions leading into said sprint.

Added in edit: FWIW, I never look down or consciously think about what gear I am in when I sprint during a race. I just pick a gear such that I launch from like 90-100 rpm.

Like CDR alluded, a better question is "what rpm do you start your sprint in?"
Even then, the biggest factor will be your personal preference.

Pick the appropriate gear to start your sprint at a given rpm. The gear is the variable; it will depend on the conditions leading into said sprint.

Added in edit: FWIW, I never look down or consciously think about what gear I am in when I sprint during a race. I just pick a gear such that I launch from like 90-100 rpm.


Thanks.

Get off the bike and run.

The real question is "what lap do you start your sprint in".. I've heard of at least one person that starts it at the registration table, but he's usually wearing his loafers.

True, I often start my sprint at the bell.

55x9, then I dial it up to 2000 watts for about 3 minutes.

Assuming it's a bunch sprint, what gear do you start your sprint in?

Whatever feels right, I have no idea what the gear is but I always wonder afterwards.. but then I feel like puking and shift into the little ring to spin, so I never know.

I predict that WKO/etc will be smart enough to figure out what gear you were in based on power/cadence. Not that it would do much but would be kinda nifty.

95-150rpm.

So a question about sprinting at the end of a RACE goes in the 41? Then what goes in Road Bike RACING? Twitter feeds?

Your question is too vague to be able to give a useful answer, similar to many questions in 41. However, you did get some decent answers.

Because we care.

It might be a good idea to be in the same gear that the guy you will be following is in.

It might be a good idea to be in the same gear that the guy you will be following is in.

Who's to say they are in the "right" gear. Or that it's the right gear for you.

Who's to say they are in the "right" gear. Or that it's the right gear for you.

I'm assuming that I am smart enough to be on a good wheel. If I plan on following a bad wheel it doesn't matter what gear I am in.

And I didn't say that I would finish the sprint in that gear.

Do sprint intervals (jumps, power stomps, high cadence), and not only will you answer your own question, you'll be better for it in the long run.

Do sprint intervals (jumps, power stomps, high cadence), and not only will you answer your own question, you'll be better for it in the long run.

That makes sense, thanks. I'll be doing those in the next few months.

53x11

ROFL...yeah right.

TS...it all depends on how fast the lead out is going!!! Does it make sense to jump 53x12 when the lead out is only capable of 32mph? Sure, if you like to jump at 90rpm.

I've only won one sprint, and I have no clue what gear I was in.

I was the third wheel in line with half a lap to go. The first guy went hard and started to build a gap. The second guy wasn't able to keep pace. Halfway through the final turn, he fortunately gave me enough room to slide by him on the inside. I started spinning faster to catch the first guy. I think I jumped a gear or two - don't really remember. At some point, I remember thinking, I need to stand if I'm going to beat him. I stood and passed the first guy just before the finish line.

At that point I was wasted. I shifted to the 39-25 and just turned the pedals as I worked to catch my breath before the next race started in 10 minutes. The race was so close I didn't know I'd won until the first guy congratulated me.

ROFL...yeah right.

TS...it all depends on how fast the lead out is going!!! Does it make sense to jump 53x12 when the lead out is only capable of 32mph? Sure, if you like to jump at 90rpm.

Is there any other gear?

I've seen several good sprinters who rarely move out of the 53x11 for any reason.

I've seen several good sprinters who rarely move out of the 53x11 for any reason.

Sarcasm?

To those who have been around for a while and can remember downtube shifters think what sprinting at that time was like... You started your sprint, leaned in with you knee and hit the shifter, always dropped you to the 11 :)

I never owned an 11T in my 6 speed days.

I never owned an 11T in my 6 speed days.

Good point, I don't remember what my heaviest gear was... hmmmmmm

I think they showed up with 7 speed but I'm not sure.

I think they showed up with 7 speed but I'm not sure.

Dang you old... ;)

Sarcasm?


not in the least.

not in the least.

Smooth, flawless delivery if nothing else...

I find it weird, but it seems to work for them...that is if their goal is to finish behind me. :p

I find it weird, but it seems to work for them...that is if their goal is to finish behind me. :p

Hahaha - again too many variables to say what it will be.

I think they showed up with 7 speed but I'm not sure.


only remember using a 12 with my 7speed, and that was only for the pepsi stage at killington.



btw - what is it with all of the 41 "leakage" threads?

btw - what is it with all of the 41 "leakage" threads?

Which is worse: 41 leakage or 217 leakage?

rock | hard place

Tis the season.

I've seen several good sprinters who rarely move out of the 53x11 for any reason.

I know of one. I always thought he did it for training. I think he's getting old now, although he still beats me regularly.

Which is worse: 41 leakage or 217 leakage?

diarrhea leakage.

Which is worse: 41 leakage or 217 leakage?

try-athelete wasteband leakage after they **** in their shorts.

I know of one. I always thought he did it for training. I think he's getting old now, although he still beats me regularly.

that's one of I was thinking about, yes.

Is there any other gear?

No, I run 53/12 all day long.

56x11, then I dial it up to 2750 watts for about 2 minutes.