First, the arithmetic in Spoke Calc is rounded off. Let's get it right.
The 24:11 ratio = 2.181818....
The 38:18 Ratio = 2.11111.....
So, the 24:11 is about 3% lower than the 38:18, and therefore is in fact easier.
Now with that said, if the real ratios were identical, there would be no difference in pedal force. The longer chainring lever length on the 24:11 is offset by the shorter lever length on the 11 tooth cassette gear. The analysis that the true measure is the wheel inchs per pedal revolution is the correct analysis. In the real world, there is a tint difference in the force required caused by friction differences between the two different combinations.
There, now go ride your bike and pedal however feels best to you.

And, a 39:18 ratio is...?

Is this STILL raging? I`m surprised that somebody`s mother hasn`t yet been brought into the fray . . . .Curmudgeons Rule!

Don`t ask . . .

For the record, when I (rarely) use the small chainwheel in anticipation, I invariable change up on the gears so the ole legs rotate at the same liesurely pace . . . never noticed any change in effort needed.

So there you are! End of.

come on admit it, you can't agree to disagree********************?? so what, move on

Repeat an inaccurate statement often enough and someone besides yourself will likely believe it.

During the mindless seemingly unending miles of distance riding (long,long ago) I used to amuse my mind wondering this very conundrum.
It had been precipitated by reading that at Indy in 1967, the Granatelly #40 Turbine car, which was 4 wheel drive, somehow divided the applied power 60% to the rear wheels and 40% to the front (or, something along those lines.) The only way I could figure that was by differing gear combinations arriving at the same ratio, assuming front and rear tires were the same size (also unknown.)
I had posed this question some time ago on the Bike Mechanics thread, and as I recall, the determination was that the large/large combination was potentially easier due to the larger diameters resulting in more chain wrap at reduced deflection angles between links. But, I would have to revisit that thread to be sure.
Anyway, I thought I was looking forward to joining this group in 3 months or so, but now I'm not sure. Y'all are far too cerebral for my capabilities.........

Each wheel travels a different distance when cornering so a fixed split between front and rear is no long good enough (except on wet and slippery surfaces)-- we also need a differentials between the axles of 4x4s... :)

Ummmmm....what??

I'm sure that the STP #40 Turbine Racer had front and rear differentials to handle the distance difference between inside tire and outside tire arcs...........that is not the point of my ponderance...

The issue is: how did the designers achieve a power differential between front and rear wheels?
For example, say the turbine generated 500HP. (actual HP was 550)
How did the Ferguson 4 wheel drive system transmit 40%, or 200HP to the front wheels, and
60%, or 300HP to the rear wheels??

Viscous couplers?

It didn'
t even have a CV joint in the driveline....if it had, it probably would have won..............

But, did it have epicyclic gearing...?

From : https://www.tititudorancea.net/z/four_wheel_drive.htm

Comes this:
Jensen applied the Formula Ferguson full-time all-wheel drive system to 318 units of their Jensen FF built from 1966 to 1971, marking the first time 4WD was used in a production GT sports car. While most 4WD systems split torque evenly, the Jensen split torque roughly 40% front, 60% rear by gearing the front and rear at different ratios.

So, how do you use different gear ratios to drive the same size tires at the same speed at the same time, with power being transmitted to the front and rear in different quantities??

I'm SO glad that the bicycle has only 2 wheels, USUALLY having only one driven......

The power is distributed via planetary (or, epicyclic) gearing.

Makes sense.

Ok, it's been a month since someone posted in this thread. Are all you folks up north buried in a snow drift. ;)

Had a nice ride today. My vest kept me comfortable for most of the ride. Had to remove it about 11 miles from the end of my ride. Did 30.8 miles on the Cannondale. :thumb:

Just turned 67. It is absolutely pouring today so I'm reading bike forum postings instead of riding :-(. Not getting out to ride makes me cranky. I'm really astounded at how much a daily ride impacts my mood. It's not just the physical benefits - it's mental. Fortunately I live in California so my non-ride days are not frequent. Otherwise I'd be a ***** to live with ;-).

I'm in the same boat with the physical and mental stuff. Where I live it's my own fault if I don't get out, and I usually do, 6 or 7 days a week. Usually 15 - 20 miles, except a longer one on Sunday.

Me Too
 

Same here, pouring the rain and cold wind the last two week, I get my fix here and spin classes

Luckily here in the PNW, ski season is in full swing. Vastly more enjoyable than a gym, for me.

Jersey from a group ride this Fall arrived.
a persistent group of folks overcame some logistic problems for the last order of jerseys.
anyway this color combo may be unique as the original orange stripe sold out and could not be replicated.

dang, gotta clean a mirror some day. toothpaste&shavingcreamnosnotrocketsyaknoweh

Some days are 'Show Off' Days. This was a great day with son, who refuses to be photographed.

Just turned 65 a couple of weeks ago, so I figured I'd say "Hi!" to my fellow uber-geezers. I usually post over in the Master's Racing sub-forum but will keep an eye on y'all too now. :)

So save the uber-geese the trouble of x-checking, post up a 65+ Master's Racing bike or two. :lol::lol:

Since you asked...

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...psel6z3lhv.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l1...psmplksyv8.jpg

I've been eligible for this thread for almost seven years but have not been cycling or checking in on this forum for longer than that. But 1/1 marked a new beginning as I got on the bike for the first time in years. I had a follow-up ride today and will try to get out twice a week or more from now on. So far I'm only riding 45 min to an hour at a time - the old body does not want to do this at all. But, I have gotten up on the big chainring and small cog a few times which surprised me. My legs are fine - I could ride much longer, but my bottom end does not like it at all. I know its just going to take time to get myself acclimated to it. Also, I don't do road bikes so I'm on an old 1992 Trek 930 (in perfect condition) with smoother/narrower tires. When I got this bike around 2000, I kept it because it fit me so well. Now, thirty pounds heavier, I keep telling myself 'It'll come to you in time'. I think it will but its tough now.


http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/b...psoupeypza.jpg

If you hang tough now, 1s, things will be a lot different come spring. All your sinews and (whatever else is in our bodies) will loosen up. Wait and see. You'll be surprised. Don't expect too much performance in winter.

Yes, I know. I expect to be out there twice a week if its 40F or above. Years ago when I rode to work that was my cutoff point. I didn't want to have to wear cold-weather cycling gear and then change clothes. I don't mind wearing the gear now though since I'm not going to the office anymore :) - maybe I can extend my envelope down to 32F.

Yeah, bring an extra set of clothes in case your sweat freezes. That's what I like to do. I'll throw on a new shirt when I stop for food.

Hey Saxman,
Since it's been a while and you've put on a few pounds, consider getting a brief fitting at your local bike shop or at least...ask them to give you a quick once over in the parking lot as far as saddle height and reach to the bars is concerned. Also, don't be afraid to play with the saddle a bit, especially since you mentioned your "bottom end". Or, you may find that you need a different saddle entirely if you are still in pain a month from now. I have ten saddles on m wall from 35 years of riding but my current saddle hit the bulls eye and I now have NO discomfort regardless of miles. NONE...a darn Christmas miracle if you ask me. It's a Selle Anatomica leather and you can find plenty of threads about it elsewhere on this forum. Good Luck!

+1^^^
Saddles have evolved some in the last few years. Some people find a split rail design can ease pressure on soft areas. Selle SMP is one style like this, many manufacturers offer a version of the split saddle concept.