42T Front Chain Ring
10-12-13 | 04:03 AM
#27
OMC
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,973
Likes: 142
From: South Louisiana
Bikes: Specialized Allez Sprint, Look 585, Specialized Crux E5 Sport, Trek Domane SL6
I first started riding on a Giant FCR3, their low-end "fitness" bike with a 53/42/30 crankset and an 11-28 eight speed cassette. When I got my first road bike, I quickly switched out the 53/39 for a compact, thinking the standard's gearing was too tall for anything I'd ever do.
Several additional road bikes later, I dug the Giant out of storage, installed drop bars and RSX shifters, and replaced the 11-28 with a 13-26 so I could use it as a commuter. The first climb I hit, I was sure I'd need the small ring, but amazingly enough didn't. Funny what an additional 20k miles in your legs can do.
That bike will probably live almost all of its life in the 42t ring.
Several additional road bikes later, I dug the Giant out of storage, installed drop bars and RSX shifters, and replaced the 11-28 with a 13-26 so I could use it as a commuter. The first climb I hit, I was sure I'd need the small ring, but amazingly enough didn't. Funny what an additional 20k miles in your legs can do.
That bike will probably live almost all of its life in the 42t ring.
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Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
10-12-13 | 05:21 AM
#28
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 662
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From: Missouri
Bikes: '12 CAAD10 3, '88 Raleigh Talon
Remember that gearing doesn't mean you have to use it. When I ride my typical cadence is 80-ish if I'm seated on the climbs, 70-ish if I'm standing on a big gear on a climb, and 95-115 most of the time. With coasting my average cadence typically ranges from 75-95 rpm. I try to keep it under 120 rpm when things are fast but I'll see 130-140 rpm in my downloads.
I used a 55T for most of my 2012 season and switched to the 53 I think in March or April this year (when I went to 170s). I'm now back on 175s, 53T. I started putting my data on Strava because of some of the skepticism I see related to my posts:
https://app.strava.com/athletes/143064
I should note that I've also used a 51T outer ring so I'm a half gear off from the riders around me, or at least different enough that they won't have the same gear as me.
I used a 55T for most of my 2012 season and switched to the 53 I think in March or April this year (when I went to 170s). I'm now back on 175s, 53T. I started putting my data on Strava because of some of the skepticism I see related to my posts:
https://app.strava.com/athletes/143064
I should note that I've also used a 51T outer ring so I'm a half gear off from the riders around me, or at least different enough that they won't have the same gear as me.
Gave you a follow on Strava yesterday.
10-13-13 | 06:17 PM
#29
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 935
Likes: 46
From: Las Vegas, NV
Bikes: '04 LeMond Buenos Aires, '82 Bianchi Nuova Racing, De Rosa SLX, Bridgestone MB-1, Guerciotti TSX, Torpado Aelle, LeMond Tourmalet 853, Bridgestone Radac
I haven't received any email notifications to recent posts on this thread. Thought it was done.
No real dislike, it started out for me remembering the gearing that was standard when I first became a roadie. If modern gearing options help people enjoy cycling more, I'm all for that.
BUT...I have to say I kind of felt young again on a century ride yesterday on a 23lb. (loaded w/ water, pump & tools) '82 Bianchi Nuova Racing. The first and returning 20 miles were flat, but the middle 60 included two big climbs and constant ups & downs. I'll admit it was fun to pass riders on the big climbs with multi-thousand dollar carbon bikes and there's ol' 46 year old me on a heavy steel bike with a 42x23 low gear.
BUT...I have to say I kind of felt young again on a century ride yesterday on a 23lb. (loaded w/ water, pump & tools) '82 Bianchi Nuova Racing. The first and returning 20 miles were flat, but the middle 60 included two big climbs and constant ups & downs. I'll admit it was fun to pass riders on the big climbs with multi-thousand dollar carbon bikes and there's ol' 46 year old me on a heavy steel bike with a 42x23 low gear.
10-13-13 | 06:20 PM
#30
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 935
Likes: 46
From: Las Vegas, NV
Bikes: '04 LeMond Buenos Aires, '82 Bianchi Nuova Racing, De Rosa SLX, Bridgestone MB-1, Guerciotti TSX, Torpado Aelle, LeMond Tourmalet 853, Bridgestone Radac
One thing I'll add about gearing - when I've ridden bikes with very low gears, I ride slower on climbs. Get bogged down in one gear, just downshift. And I end up with the same slow cadence, but get less distance out of each pedal revolution.
10-13-13 | 07:25 PM
#31
OMC
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,973
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From: South Louisiana
Bikes: Specialized Allez Sprint, Look 585, Specialized Crux E5 Sport, Trek Domane SL6
I'll admit it was fun to pass riders on the big climbs with multi-thousand dollar carbon bikes and there's ol' 46 year old me on a heavy steel bike with a 42x23 low gear.
__________________
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
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