Originally Posted by bccycleguy
The issue is cadence when you are climbing. Spin at 80 - 90 rpm on the climbs and you move more of the exercise load to your cardiovascular system rather than just your leg muscles. If you're fit, it is much easier on your legs and you'll make big gains on everybody when you crest the hill.
When I'm on a big climb using my 30T granny and 28T cog I'm still climbing at ~10 km/hr (6.2 mph). I'd like to see you push your bike up a 1 mile 10 % hill that fast.
I'm probably the odd duck around here. I don't concentrate on fast spinning - but, then, I'm sort of an old guy. I run a 63-54 double up front and a 34-11 on the back. I like to stand out of the saddle and push slightly longer gears on the way up, shifting to smaller when absolutely necessary. I think I could accomplish that hill at 8 - 10 mph standing on my peds. At 54/34 and can manage it from the saddle, also, but my legs would probably be burning when I reached the top.
I also run 185 mm crank. So, in any given situation, my cadence is going to be slower. I know this contrary to the advice I read, but it seems to work for me. I can ride through hilly territory and average a couple of 50 - 60 mile rides each weekend without a problem.
You spinners might leave me in the dust - I don't know - I've never done any group rides. I just love to ride.
I'm still learning and may go back to more conventional gearing in the future. For now, my bike seems fun and it gets a lot of looks and "comments." LOL
Caruso