Originally Posted by
repechage
52x18 is about a 78" gear.I see guys in the big ring all the time, usually a 53. Often with their hips rotating side to side too. I ask how much their knees and saddle, lower back hurts... " how do you know?"
I can see it. Goes with the knees swinging out too. These are guys with "clipless" pedals too.
poor blighters.
As stated, I am using a 52x19 most of the time, and if you looked at my paper I am pedaling at 88rpm with those gears to go just a little over 19mph, and nobody who is spinning that fast is straining their knees or any other joints, only their heart and lungs.