50+'ers be honest : Large, Med. or Small Chain Ring Usage Selection
02-21-21, 12:08 AM
#77
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But actually for your current set up that's not true. You have 50-11 at the top end and 30-28 at the bottom, giving you 394% range. All the 1x gravel systems for example would give you more range than that: GRX gives you 418%, Campag Ekar 467% and Rival AXS up to 520%. The limiting factor on range is how much chain slack the mech can take up, whether you utilise that ability with a wide range cassette on the back or more rings on the front doesn't matter in terms of range. The difference is rather about whether you prefer things like dropping between rings to make big gear jumps versus multi-shifting, some smaller gaps between gears, more gear duplication, more or less simplicity. It's all good, ride whatever system suits you, but you're not getting more range for the hills by running your current triple with a narrow cassette compared to a modern 2x or 1x with a wider cassette.
02-23-21, 10:07 PM
#78
Senior Member
But actually for your current set up that's not true. You have 50-11 at the top end and 30-28 at the bottom, giving you 394% range. All the 1x gravel systems for example would give you more range than that: GRX gives you 418%, Campag Ekar 467% and Rival AXS up to 520%. The limiting factor on range is how much chain slack the mech can take up, whether you utilise that ability with a wide range cassette on the back or more rings on the front doesn't matter in terms of range. The difference is rather about whether you prefer things like dropping between rings to make big gear jumps versus multi-shifting, some smaller gaps between gears, more gear duplication, more or less simplicity. It's all good, ride whatever system suits you, but you're not getting more range for the hills by running your current triple with a narrow cassette compared to a modern 2x or 1x with a wider cassette.
03-01-21, 10:17 AM
#79
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I'm 60, and ride two bikes - a 1x11 650B gravel bike, and a singlespeed cross bike. I am NOT fast by any stretch, but pretty strong and I ride hard in that my average ride is more steep fire road climbs and singletrack than it is pavement, mainly because of where I live (I sometimes wish it was flatter here). On steep descents I'm not a real speed guy, plus both my bikes are geared for the hills, so I often run out of gear and coast. Roadies pass me all the time, but I don't care!
03-08-21, 10:20 PM
#80
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Only have two chain rings in front. Spend 80% in the large. The only triple ring bike I own out of 4 is my mtn bike and probably only spend 10% of my time in the small ring.
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03-12-21, 07:34 PM
#81
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Every day contemporary bike, '12 CAAD 10 Ultegra, 53-39 crankset, 11-28 11-speed cog set, Tommasini Prestige, Campag NR/SR crankset, 52-42 crankset, 14-26 6 speed corset, Medici Pro Strada, campag NR 52-42 crankset, 14-24 5-speed cog set. Probably spend 75% of my cycling time on the big ring, across the board. Cadence varies between 60 and 100, depending on terrain and how I am feeling that day. I am looking at changing the CAAD 10 to a compact 50-32 crankset and a 11-32 cog set, here shortly.
Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, October 2014, at 58 y.o., now 64, and I have found that spending more time in high cadence, and throwing in some mashing as added HIIT workout, along with making certain the riding goes 1.5-2+ hours helps relieve my tremors, and the dyskinesia (twitching) of my legs at night. Research and studies I read at the Davis Phinney Foundation website bares this out.
Bill
Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, October 2014, at 58 y.o., now 64, and I have found that spending more time in high cadence, and throwing in some mashing as added HIIT workout, along with making certain the riding goes 1.5-2+ hours helps relieve my tremors, and the dyskinesia (twitching) of my legs at night. Research and studies I read at the Davis Phinney Foundation website bares this out.
Bill
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I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
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03-13-21, 08:48 PM
#82
Senior Member
I have two rings on my bike. I use the smaller one to warm up and then the larger one when I'm on the flats. If there is an incline then it depends on the grade and how I'm feeling.
03-13-21, 08:53 PM
#83
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There might be FedEX riders and ground delivery but I am the speed equivalent of the USA Postal Service. I am slow and am happy. Also note it is cheaper to send a letter from NYC to Guam than it is to send a letter from NYC to Toronto. xD
03-14-21, 09:18 AM
#84
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I'm 52. I bought my first single speed three years ago out of curiosity and it instantly became my favorite bike. I upgraded to a Wabi Special. 46/17 and I keep about the same average speed as my road bikes, 17-18ish mph on my computer. My cruising speed is 20 or so.
03-15-21, 06:47 AM
#85
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Every day contemporary bike, '12 CAAD 10 Ultegra, 53-39 crankset, 11-28 11-speed cog set, Tommasini Prestige, Campag NR/SR crankset, 52-42 crankset, 14-26 6 speed corset, Medici Pro Strada, campag NR 52-42 crankset, 14-24 5-speed cog set. Probably spend 75% of my cycling time on the big ring, across the board. Cadence varies between 60 and 100, depending on terrain and how I am feeling that day. I am looking at changing the CAAD 10 to a compact 50-32 crankset and a 11-32 cog set, here shortly.
Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, October 2014, at 58 y.o., now 64, and I have found that spending more time in high cadence, and throwing in some mashing as added HIIT workout, along with making certain the riding goes 1.5-2+ hours helps relieve my tremors, and the dyskinesia (twitching) of my legs at night. Research and studies I read at the Davis Phinney Foundation website bares this out.
Bill
Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, October 2014, at 58 y.o., now 64, and I have found that spending more time in high cadence, and throwing in some mashing as added HIIT workout, along with making certain the riding goes 1.5-2+ hours helps relieve my tremors, and the dyskinesia (twitching) of my legs at night. Research and studies I read at the Davis Phinney Foundation website bares this out.
Bill
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03-15-21, 07:01 AM
#86
Senior Member
Small ring in the hills for me for sure. I've got anaerobic strength but not aerobic strength. I could pretty easily pop over 40mph on the flats back when I was younger (haven't tried that since getting back on the bike at the end of 2019) but would get dropped on any significant climb. 
I recently put a bike together with a 34/42 combo although I haven't needed that yet. 
When I was racing the sprinters on the team would get together every once in awhile without any of the aerobic animals so we could just enjoy riding.
I recently put a bike together with a 34/42 combo although I haven't needed that yet. When I was racing the sprinters on the team would get together every once in awhile without any of the aerobic animals so we could just enjoy riding.
03-21-21, 07:47 AM
#87
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I'm running 50/34 with 11X28. I use whatever is appropriate to the moment.
03-22-21, 02:20 PM
#89
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Chain Ring
It is pretty flat in Baton Rouge La. so I don't have to shift much, I am usually in the middle front ring and 4th or 5th cog out of 8 on the rear. I will go to the big front ring down hill but rarily need the small front ring. Last time I checked I average about 15 mph on my 6 mile commute. I am not racing not training I just want to keep a comfortable cadince through out the ride. I used to use an app to keep track of average speed and all but it just clutters my brain so I quit using it.
03-23-21, 03:08 PM
#90
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As many have posted before if you have a triple------------small ring is for going up hill-----------center ring is for most riding--------------Big ring is for down hill with the wind. Pick your terrain, and shift across the rear cluster as needed. Dont try to over think gearing.
