Originally Posted by
CptjohnC
My 2010 Kona Dew Drop has a 52/40/30 so you aren't crazy. Cross bikes tend to have more MTB like chain rings. My Dew, though MTB component based, is asphalt geared. :-)
I use my middle ring for starting, accelerating and climbing, but for cruising on level or near level ground, I use my big ring. (cassette is 11-34, if memory serves). I definitely maintain a higher cruising speed with the bigger ring engaged and using a middlin' cog (say 15, 17 or 20) than with the middle chain ring and a smaller cog (like the 13 -- the 11 has some weird chain interference issues right now, that I haven't had time to figure out, anyway).
Likewise, I can accelerate or climb far better using the middle ring, and an appropriate cog for conditions (say 23 for starting on level ground or climbing most hills, 26 for slight inclines or climbing bigger hills. The 34 is for really big hills, and is almost useless for starting, except up a steep hill)
Well said, sir! That is how I use my middle ring, also...but I want to be able to use my big ring for faster riding than is possible on my middle ring. When you say "cruising on level or near level ground, I use my big ring", do you mean your cadence is pretty mellow but your speed is good for the energy being put out?
I'm pretty sure I'm going to get a
Surly 42t chain ring.
At the 42t, I can get 100.7, 92.3, 79.1, and 69.2;...
and the 36t would stay at 86.3, 79.1, 67.8, 59.4, 52.8...and so on. I'm really happy with the 36t/11-32 cassette. A 42t big chain ring would give me the range I want above the 86.3, maxing out at a fair 100.7 for real down hills which I'd most likely coast anyways, but still managing to be able to drop as low as 69.2. As things are with the 48/11,12,14,&16...I'm pretty much stuck at 48/14 and 48/16, the terrain simply demands more versatility. With a 42t, I'd be able to stay on the big chain ring for extended periods and the middle ring as I've been doing. I'm excited! Now where to get the money, haha...