himespau 

+1

wheelsmcgee

I recall we tried that, but didnt even gain one cog. It was an older bike with an 8(?) speed cassette, so maybe the limit adjustment wasn’t enough to get a full cog...or, maybe I didn’t turn the screw all the way.

TimothyH

One thing missed in all the arguments about gearing is that the body adapts.

When I went to a relatively wide(er) range 11-36 cassette I was hunting for the right gear. At that time I agreed with those who say that not having a tightly spaced gears is serious drawback. Then I rode more, got stronger and what used to be a huge space between gears doesn't seem as big now.

I'll bet that all the people who think 1x has little value would become much stronger if forced to use it for a year. It will suck at first but after a while, if you ride it enough and on tough courses, it will be no big deal.

Take that to the extreme and go ride the ultimate 1x - a fixed gear bike. Your body will adapt.


-Tim-

Hondo Gravel

Why Not ? My CX bike has a 46/36 10 speed my newer gravel grinder has a 50/34 11 speed. I love both bikes and I ride many a hill so the 11 speed having that low 32 gear has advantages. But overall others than steep climbs I feel little difference. Just ride have fun and don’t get paralysis by over analysis.

Seattle Forrest

Imagine being stronger and having the right gear!

TimothyH

You get stronger by pushing the wrong gear.

That's my entire point.


-Tim-

Seattle Forrest

Once you've achieved getting stronger, then you can be stronger, in the correct gear. That's my point.

(Also, I think people can get more stronger, faster, by pushing a barbell than by pushing the wrong gear.)

Metieval

once you are stronger, you are in the correct gear!!

some of you all need to spend more time on a single speed. much to learn!!!

justin1138

how does one determine the correct gear?

one of the strongest riders i know is almost always on a single speed. he's either doing it really right or really wrong...

justin1138

you say these things so well!

Seattle Forrest

If your chest is bothering you, the correct gear is lower than the one you're in; if your legs are bothering you, it's higher. This is pretty basic stuff, the reason you have gears is to use them.

TimothyH

If both your legs and chest are bothering you then you are in the right gear. If nothing is bothering you then you are either not on a bike or coasting down a hill.


-Tim-

Leebo

I guess you don't mt bike, ride a fat bike in the winter or do loaded touring? 34-36 is not what I would call a climbing gear. 20-25 GI works for me. YRMV. Just run what gearing that works for you on the stuff you ride on, cheers.

Zaskar

Mtn biking since 1987. ;-)

RJM

That's not true. Pushing a high gear at a low cadence isn't strength training; strength training happens in the gym and not on the bike. I don't know any coach who would advocate doing 50 reps in a minute for a strength training session.

If you want to get stronger on the bike, grow your ftp.

justin1138

phewf...

my 1x10 bike has higher and lower gears. it sounds like the correct one is in there.

thanks for the clarity.

Seattle Forrest

If you don't think there's such a thing as a right gear and a wrong gear for a situation, why ride a bike with more than one gear? I mean, if 2 in the front is confusing and worrisome, 10 in the back must be a nightmare.

justin1138

lol.

the only thing confusing was the point you were trying to make.

don't be angry...

Seattle Forrest

I'm not angry, I'm just trying to understand.

chas58

Well, I have done a lot of miles fixed gear. I like the variety of cadence it encourages me to do - from - to 150 rpm.

Still, if I'm going to have gears on a bike, I want the right gear. Having ridden 8 speed cassettes that were missing the right cog for a windy day or a fast pace line, I'm in no mood to go to a 1x11 and go back to missing the right gear ratio. For me, that is a step backwards even if I'm strong enough and have a very broad rpm range.


I think 1x is fine for riding solo recreational. If I'm just cruising around on my own on a 1x11, I'll just adapt my speed to any gear gaps (most of the time). Speaking for myself, that l doesn't meet my needs.

As for training: yes - those of us that race single speed/fixed gear sometimes train at a high gear to strengthen our legs and ability to put high torque down and accelerate. Other days we'll go lower and make sure we have a high smooth cadence.

TimothyH

I rode 48x15 fixed gear with roadies last night.

30.3 miles @ 21.7 MPH average.

Their constant shifting began pissing me off at about mile 23.


-Tim-

TimothyH

I was using the word "stronger" in the generic, cycling sense to mean stronger, faster, farther, able to climb better, keep up, etc.

Sorry for the poor use of words.


-Tim-

Seattle Forrest

My Garmin and Di2 say I shift about 300 times per hour. It really is constant!

Seattle Forrest

Under that definition (which is a good one) having more gears makes you stronger, at least in varied terrain.

You're faster and better able to keep up etc when you are not limited by your gearing. A gear that's ideal on flat ground is not appropriate on an 18 % grade.

bbbean 

There's a reason Baskin Robbins makes 31 flavors. Personally, I like lots of gears, and the only thing better than 2X11 would be a 2X12. On the other hand, I have friends who are gloriously happy with their single speeds and fixies. I'm happy to see more options.