help me get up the mountain
08-11-15, 02:46 PM
#26
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Another option: Swap in a triple crankset (and a longer BB spindle if you need it) for the peace of mind of a bailout gear. Of course, you might screw up your indexing.
But I'm also in the camp of thinking that 34/28 or 32 gear inches will get you up a 14% grade. Or just walk it!
But I'm also in the camp of thinking that 34/28 or 32 gear inches will get you up a 14% grade. Or just walk it!
08-11-15, 04:34 PM
#27
car dodger
Thread Starter
Thanks for all the replies...I've pretty much decided to go with what I'm running now. If I eat and drink properly I should be fine. One of my worries is cramping late in the ride when the hills kick in. I bought some electrolyte stuff so hopefully I can avoid them. By the way, I do have a triple option, a 1980 Mclean w/ campy triple and 32t big cog. But it is a slightly smaller frame size that fatigues my neck and shoulders after 40 miles or so due to increased saddle to bar drop versus my merckx (the bike I plan to ride). Plus it is some 4 lbs. heavier. And it has only one water bottle mount.
Here is the merckx, wheels are now mavic w/ dura ace hubs:
And here is the Mclean
Here is the merckx, wheels are now mavic w/ dura ace hubs:
And here is the Mclean
__________________
1989 Schwinn Paramount OS
1980 Mclean/Silk Hope Sport Touring
1983 Bianchi pista
1976 Fuji Feather track
1979 raleigh track
"I've consulted my sources and I'm pretty sure your derailleur does not exist"
1989 Schwinn Paramount OS
1980 Mclean/Silk Hope Sport Touring
1983 Bianchi pista
1976 Fuji Feather track
1979 raleigh track
"I've consulted my sources and I'm pretty sure your derailleur does not exist"
08-11-15, 05:16 PM
#28
Senior Member
^In that case, definitely the Merckx as the Eddy mojo emanating from the tubes will imbue your legs with amazing gear-mashing climbability.
08-11-15, 05:27 PM
#29
Thrifty Bill
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Obvious answer no one here has mentioned yet is N+1!!
Paraphrasing Ram Emanuel, "Never let the opportunity to add a bike go to waste."
Paraphrasing Ram Emanuel, "Never let the opportunity to add a bike go to waste."
08-15-15, 03:53 PM
#31
car dodger
Thread Starter
Rode the merckx today on a "gran fondo simulator", or as close as I could get on a ride from my house. 62 miles with the steepest hills around here at about the 40 mile mark. Had me in my low gear a few times. Made sure to drink and eat, which helped I think. No cramps! Hopefully do something similar next weekend.
__________________
1989 Schwinn Paramount OS
1980 Mclean/Silk Hope Sport Touring
1983 Bianchi pista
1976 Fuji Feather track
1979 raleigh track
"I've consulted my sources and I'm pretty sure your derailleur does not exist"
1989 Schwinn Paramount OS
1980 Mclean/Silk Hope Sport Touring
1983 Bianchi pista
1976 Fuji Feather track
1979 raleigh track
"I've consulted my sources and I'm pretty sure your derailleur does not exist"
08-15-15, 03:58 PM
#32
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Rode the merckx today on a "gran fondo simulator", or as close as I could get on a ride from my house. 62 miles with the steepest hills around here at about the 40 mile mark. Had me in my low gear a few times. Made sure to drink and eat, which helped I think. No cramps! Hopefully do something similar next weekend.
08-30-15, 04:32 PM
#33
car dodger
Thread Starter
Rode the fondo today, it went pretty well except for some quad cramps near the top of the longest steepest climb (elk mtn.). Downed a mustard pack and finished okay!
__________________
1989 Schwinn Paramount OS
1980 Mclean/Silk Hope Sport Touring
1983 Bianchi pista
1976 Fuji Feather track
1979 raleigh track
"I've consulted my sources and I'm pretty sure your derailleur does not exist"
1989 Schwinn Paramount OS
1980 Mclean/Silk Hope Sport Touring
1983 Bianchi pista
1976 Fuji Feather track
1979 raleigh track
"I've consulted my sources and I'm pretty sure your derailleur does not exist"
08-31-15, 03:56 PM
#35
car dodger
Thread Starter
here's a couple of pics, one of the start:
And just after the finish, me w/ my merckx and my riding buddy with his self-made(!) steel frame with cool birds-eye lugs:
And just after the finish, me w/ my merckx and my riding buddy with his self-made(!) steel frame with cool birds-eye lugs:
__________________
1989 Schwinn Paramount OS
1980 Mclean/Silk Hope Sport Touring
1983 Bianchi pista
1976 Fuji Feather track
1979 raleigh track
"I've consulted my sources and I'm pretty sure your derailleur does not exist"
1989 Schwinn Paramount OS
1980 Mclean/Silk Hope Sport Touring
1983 Bianchi pista
1976 Fuji Feather track
1979 raleigh track
"I've consulted my sources and I'm pretty sure your derailleur does not exist"
08-31-15, 04:04 PM
#36
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Well done! You still look fresh at the finish. The spirit of Eddy served you well, and the bike looks great. 
09-01-15, 05:23 PM
#37
car dodger
Thread Starter
Just found this pic someone took of me crossing the first timed checkpoint!
__________________
1989 Schwinn Paramount OS
1980 Mclean/Silk Hope Sport Touring
1983 Bianchi pista
1976 Fuji Feather track
1979 raleigh track
"I've consulted my sources and I'm pretty sure your derailleur does not exist"
1989 Schwinn Paramount OS
1980 Mclean/Silk Hope Sport Touring
1983 Bianchi pista
1976 Fuji Feather track
1979 raleigh track
"I've consulted my sources and I'm pretty sure your derailleur does not exist"
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