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gears and gear ratio

Old 08-13-08, 10:04 PM
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gears and gear ratio

I recently purchased a Giant Cypress...3 chain rings in the front (28, 38, 48)...7 sprockets in the rear (14-34). My problem is when I start pedaling, I quickly move through the gears and almost immediately it feels like I am back in first gear...pedaling like mad but going nowhere...with little or no resistance.

The chain is on the middle gear on the front. Do I need different gears or something?
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Old 08-13-08, 11:43 PM
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Have you tried the big gear in the front?
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Old 08-14-08, 12:03 PM
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A 38-14 combo will get you ~30km/h at a mederate 90rpm cadence, this feels like "not going any where"?

OTOH, (ignoring the 'no cross chaining' rule) if you're getting to 38-14T and then going to the big ring and back to the 34 (48-34T) on you cassette then yes you would feel little to no resistance as it is a much lower gear. There will be an overlap or redundant gearing when switching chain rings.
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Old 08-14-08, 01:37 PM
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Stick it in that big ring and spin the cranks 100 rpm and see if it is still too easy.
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