Uncle Sixty's Gearing Primer for Newbs
#126
THE STUFFED
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It'll stunt your growth.
Not too sure about the scientific merits of the above statement but we can't speak for you for that question.
However, you are ultimately limited by how strong your lower body is, how fit you are, and the topography of the area you plan to ride in.
In such a case, the old saying holds true, you won't know until you try.
Not too sure about the scientific merits of the above statement but we can't speak for you for that question.
However, you are ultimately limited by how strong your lower body is, how fit you are, and the topography of the area you plan to ride in.
In such a case, the old saying holds true, you won't know until you try.
#129
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It'll stunt your growth.
Not too sure about the scientific merits of the above statement but we can't speak for you for that question.
However, you are ultimately limited by how strong your lower body is, how fit you are, and the topography of the area you plan to ride in.
In such a case, the old saying holds true, you won't know until you try.
Not too sure about the scientific merits of the above statement but we can't speak for you for that question.
However, you are ultimately limited by how strong your lower body is, how fit you are, and the topography of the area you plan to ride in.
In such a case, the old saying holds true, you won't know until you try.
#130
Senior Member
Not if you enjoy using your knees when you get older, 69 through 72 gear inch is a good area to start
#132
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I just switched from 46/14 to 53/16 today. I haven't ridden it enlighten yet to notice a huge difference. That's going from 86 GI to 87 GI.
I'd also like to add that gain ratios are probably better for comparing bikes with different crank lengths because they take into account the crank lengths. Gain ratio for my fixie is 6.5.
I'd also like to add that gain ratios are probably better for comparing bikes with different crank lengths because they take into account the crank lengths. Gain ratio for my fixie is 6.5.
#133
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This was the absolute most helpful thread I found when researching how to set-up my own gearing...
Perhaps if it was pulled out of the sticky index at the top of the forum and made a separate sticky, maybe even renamed something like "Official Gearing Thread Thread", it would get some action and you wouldn't have the steady stream of repetitive questions about gear ratios we've seen here lately
Perhaps if it was pulled out of the sticky index at the top of the forum and made a separate sticky, maybe even renamed something like "Official Gearing Thread Thread", it would get some action and you wouldn't have the steady stream of repetitive questions about gear ratios we've seen here lately
#136
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
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This was the absolute most helpful thread I found when researching how to set-up my own gearing...
Perhaps if it was pulled out of the sticky index at the top of the forum and made a separate sticky, maybe even renamed something like "Official Gearing Thread Thread", it would get some action and you wouldn't have the steady stream of repetitive questions about gear ratios we've seen here lately
Perhaps if it was pulled out of the sticky index at the top of the forum and made a separate sticky, maybe even renamed something like "Official Gearing Thread Thread", it would get some action and you wouldn't have the steady stream of repetitive questions about gear ratios we've seen here lately
#137
Grumpy Old Bugga
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It should have been called "Europa's really really useful guide to gearing", but you wouldn't use it ... and just because I didn't write it too
We are hijacking this thread a bit, maybe you should consider asking the mods to lock it ... but only after someone posts a clip of "Bicycle Repair Man" (I think that's the name of the character in your avatar, I can visualise the skit in all it's horrendous glory)
We are hijacking this thread a bit, maybe you should consider asking the mods to lock it ... but only after someone posts a clip of "Bicycle Repair Man" (I think that's the name of the character in your avatar, I can visualise the skit in all it's horrendous glory)
#139
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Kudos to you Beardogger for finding and making use of this very informative thread, instead of starting a new "What gear ratio should I run?" thread like all the geniuses here usually do...
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#141
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muscular adaptions with high rpm
In the old days people started training by doing 1000 miles on a 74-76 inch gear and this is what was often used on the open road to knock down sub hour 40's... you have to spin that at 110 rpm or more for a full hour to knock this down and have to deal with wind and grades.
Currently the fastest I can seem to go (4th day) is 84 rpm in a very light gear (40/17x27 63.5gi) this morning, but feel like I'm not really pushing it. My legs are just not used to moving any faster, although each day has been slightly higher. However I'm wondering if pushing it now, instead of just giving time to adapt, might be putting a strain on my legs, i.e. hamstrings. My goal is to average 100-110 rpm for an hour, perhaps in a year from now.
Can someone comment on the muscular adjustments that occur when training for high rpm, and how best to adapt to this gradually, without excessively straining the muscles or causing some injury? Thank you.
Last edited by jlvs2run; 03-14-18 at 06:50 PM.
#142
Full Member
That's not such a low gear. By my calcs it comes to about 65 GI with a 700x23 tire, which is a totally reasonable road gear, especially for someone just getting back into the sport.
Riding a single gear means that effort and cadence are tied directly together. If your fitness won't let you ride faster than X mph, and your current gear has you turning the pedals over at 80 rpm at that speed, you have two options to increase cadence: gear down or pedal harder. IMHO, you're better off gearing down now to something like 42x19 or even 42x20, rather than grinding it out while you wait for your fitness to improve enough to let you spin 110 rpm in that gear for long periods.
Riding a single gear means that effort and cadence are tied directly together. If your fitness won't let you ride faster than X mph, and your current gear has you turning the pedals over at 80 rpm at that speed, you have two options to increase cadence: gear down or pedal harder. IMHO, you're better off gearing down now to something like 42x19 or even 42x20, rather than grinding it out while you wait for your fitness to improve enough to let you spin 110 rpm in that gear for long periods.
#143
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Do what seems comfortable. The best way to get better is just to spend time in the saddle. As your fitness increases you will be able to up the rpm comfortably. 84 rpm is probably a good starting point. My advice would be to just get used to training for an hour and once you are there, spend time doing intervals. Do things like 120 for two minutes, 85 for two minutes for 8 repetitions. I wouldn't commit to just going out and riding at 100 rpm for an hour, even if you had a lighter gear.
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