Bike Forums - View Single Post - Why do tourers have a smaller big chainring?

01-12-10 | 09:13 AM

#23

cyccommute

Mad bike riding scientist

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 29,167

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From: Denver, CO

Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones

Quote:

Originally Posted by barturtle

probably because most experienced tourists realize that they're not going to go fast enough enough of the time to make use of the large ring/small cog very often if they use that large of a ring...and even then it would only be going downhill, when they would probably be better off resting and coasting.

How often do you go 25+mph on flat ground when your bike is loaded down with 50 pounds of gear?

Occasionally you can get up to 25+ on the flats. I've ridden several really good tailwinds at that speed...or better

But it's the downhill that really need that kind of gearing. You ain't lived until you've hit 50 mph on the west side of Trail Ridge Road on a loaded bike. Of course the bike started a death wobble at that speed but that's just part of the thrill

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