spirits of japan
09-06-11 | 04:08 PM
#26
I wonder about that too Tom. Back in the day when I was racing as a Junior we were limited to a top gear of 98" IIRC. The only people that I know that can roll out a top gear much over that are hard core racers, so what if you have to coast down a few hills. I would much rather have the gears on the lower end and mid range where I can really use them. Probably why I prefer 3 speeds...hill gear, road gear and tailwind gear. All you need 
then you always have the shank's mare gear for your bailout on the really brutal hills.
Aaron
then you always have the shank's mare gear for your bailout on the really brutal hills.Aaron
Now, there was this guy Elmer, who rode a 54 x 13-17 five speed... up and down the Pacific Coast Highway everyday.
09-06-11 | 05:59 PM
#27
Dolce far niente
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,710
Likes: 33
From: Southwest Idaho
My De Rosa has a 50/13 as the highest gear.... that's 101.1 gear inches, if I'm reading the chart correctly. It would be nice to have an 11 or 12...... I could use it once in a while. Maybe I don't spin as fast as you guys in the gears I have? Dunno.....
__________________
"Love is not the dying moan of a distant violin, it’s the triumphant twang of a bedspring."
S. J. Perelman
"Love is not the dying moan of a distant violin, it’s the triumphant twang of a bedspring."
S. J. Perelman
09-06-11 | 06:42 PM
#28
Retro-nerd
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,638
Likes: 57
From: Morningside - Atlanta
Bikes: 1991 Serotta Colorado II, 1986 Vitus 979, 1971 Juene Classic, 2008 Surly Crosscheck, 1956 Riva Sport
This thread needs some Kurosawa.
__________________
Would you like a dream with that?
Would you like a dream with that?
09-06-11 | 07:36 PM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 98
From: Liberty, Missouri
Bikes: 1966 Paramount | 1971 Raleigh International | ca. 1970 Bernard Carre | 1989 Waterford Paramount | 2012 Boulder Brevet | 2019 Specialized Diverge
Needless to say, the rear gears are much larger these days.
09-06-11 | 08:15 PM
#30
Dolce far niente
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,710
Likes: 33
From: Southwest Idaho
I just got back from a nice after-work ride. Just 14 miles up a local canyon and back. Basically, it's 5-1/2 miles of shallow climbing followed by the turnaround and 5-1/2 miles of shallow descending. I took the Palo Alto this time, and it has a 53/13 as its tallest gear. Coming down the canyon and heading for home, I was spinning in the 53/13 and hovering at about 30mph. I don't have a chart handy and I don't have a cadence monitor, but I'm going to guess I was probably making 70-75 rpm's, anyway. It was nice and comfortable, and I had some headroom to stand and sprint on the short uphill bumps.
Maybe I'm just a big mass of slow-twich mashing muscles, but I seem to use pretty much all my gears - albeit some a lot more than others.
__________________
"Love is not the dying moan of a distant violin, it’s the triumphant twang of a bedspring."
S. J. Perelman
"Love is not the dying moan of a distant violin, it’s the triumphant twang of a bedspring."
S. J. Perelman
09-07-11 | 09:53 PM
#33
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,302
Likes: 6,559
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Nitto.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
09-08-11 | 06:49 AM
#35
Thread Starter
car dodger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,446
Likes: 152
From: garner/raleigh nc
First ride report - 10 mile commute this morning. Crankset played nicely with the 8spd dura ace set up, as advertised. Front shifting was on a par with the original 53/39 dura ace cranks. I had never thought about "Q" factor before, the suginos apparently have a high "Q". It did feel slightly wider, but after a few miles I forgot about it. Route is gently rolling terrain, I spent more time in the 48t large ring than before. I am sure in the mountains I will appreciate the lower gearing. On moderate downhills, I didn't spin out in the highest gear, but I wasn't really pushing it either. I hope to head to the mountains soon to test it (and myself)!
__________________
1989 Schwinn Paramount OS
1980 Mclean/Silk Hope Sport Touring
1983 Bianchi pista
1976 Fuji Feather track
1979 raleigh track
"I've consulted my sources and I'm pretty sure your derailleur does not exist"
1989 Schwinn Paramount OS
1980 Mclean/Silk Hope Sport Touring
1983 Bianchi pista
1976 Fuji Feather track
1979 raleigh track
"I've consulted my sources and I'm pretty sure your derailleur does not exist"
09-08-11 | 08:11 AM
#36
Banned.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Likes: 1,463
