Gearing Questions II
12-31-17, 01:19 PM
#51
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I agree. My knees have damaged cartilage and I am looking for to going from a 30-36 low gear to a 26-36 low gear. My doc recommended a low gear, a very high cadence and warm knees for climbing, especially in some of our local brevets, which feature some big climbs.
My perspective suggests that no matter how often cyclists discuss technology as a solution to the challenges of bicycling - they will seldom admit that their attention - as well as their priorities are woefully misplaced.
Transmission ratios can be designed for negating inefficiencies of heavy loads - or - be designed to work over a wide range speeds. No matter what your issue is - this will never change.
Last edited by Richard Cranium; 12-31-17 at 01:20 PM. Reason: spelling
01-01-18, 04:45 PM
#52
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I offer my condolences. My forum comments often assume questions are referring to healthy cyclists.
My perspective suggests that no matter how often cyclists discuss technology as a solution to the challenges of bicycling - they will seldom admit that their attention - as well as their priorities are woefully misplaced.
Transmission ratios can be designed for negating inefficiencies of heavy loads - or - be designed to work over a wide range speeds. No matter what your issue is - this will never change.
My perspective suggests that no matter how often cyclists discuss technology as a solution to the challenges of bicycling - they will seldom admit that their attention - as well as their priorities are woefully misplaced.
Transmission ratios can be designed for negating inefficiencies of heavy loads - or - be designed to work over a wide range speeds. No matter what your issue is - this will never change.
I agree with you to a point, that people often immediately look to a technical solution to their cycling issues, rather than looking for other solutions, but I am also of the opinion that a lot of available gearing is much to high, especially for the distance cyclist. That is just my opinion, though, and I respect the views of others in that regard, particularly as such high gearing is traditional on many randonneurs, like the old Rene Herse and Alex Singer bikes.
Still, the bicycle is a mechanical object, and as such, has problems with mechanical solutions.
Last edited by PDKL45; 01-02-18 at 01:00 AM.
01-01-18, 06:45 PM
#53
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..., I just need to be careful with my knees. The doc I mentioned is great, he is a sports medicine and obesity specialist who is a keen cyclist himself, so he was able to recommend at least 20 gear inches (he actually said 1.5-1.6 in development) and we talked equipment a bit.
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I like the higher gears that those bikes have for long shallow downhills. I rarely use the highest two gears, but when the conditions are right I really like having them.
I have not stood on the pedals to accelerate from a light turning green or from a stop sign in several years. Instead I gear down. I never power up a hill by standing on the pedals either, instead gear down and spin.
