roger89

Hello guys,

I get cramps frequently when I use big gears. But I don't really know what do big gears means. Does it means I put into big gears and then top up my speed and maintain a good cadence(not too slow)? or, put into big gears and then cycle at slow speed and cadence too?

I do the 1st one usually, but I get cramps. What do I need to do? do more mileage? That's what my friends says..'I can push but need more mileage because u easily get cramps'.

So what ya think?

HolyInstantRice

So, you get cramps when you use big gears, but you don't know what big gears mean, but you do the first one (which is sorta unintellegible, no offense)... I don't know what you're saying, but you could try taking it down a cog or two (shifting into easier gears), and keep a higher cadence.

Bananas (potassium) help with cramps, but getting your mileage up might hurt you if you go from, say a 50 mile week to a 200 mile week immediately. If you do get your mileage up, don't take it up too fast or you'll overtrain, and... well, that's another story.

Lastly, maybe running or going to the gym (cross-training) for squats and leg presses will train your legs a little better and get them used to pushing high/big gears.

simplyred

Do you stretch before rides? Eat the right kind of food?
Hmm... big gears means both of what you stated..
A big gear is a big gear - regardless of your cadence.
Personally imho, anything on the 53 ring is a big gear...

Going to the gym and doing squats/lunges/leg presses will increase your ability to push these gears...
But I'm not sure that's the solution to your cramps...

-simplyred

DannoXYZ 

How about using lower gears and spinning faster for the same speed?