DJKTri

so the point of this whole thread is that I don't want to do 2 Miles at 8.5% gradient with 39/27. Depending on how the setup works out, It'll be either 39/30 or 39/32

DJKTri

hm.. that's not a bad idea. Ordered from Amazon, delivery on Sunday!

I have a bunch of contingencies now. I should be able to run the 32T as I have a Wolf 25mm b-tension screw and the Wolf Roadlink (extends out rear derailleur). I've heard many have been able to install a 32T without any modification. If I need to use the Roadlink or 25mm b-tension screw, I have them.

I hope to get this completed Sunday or Monday.. which will give me a couple days to tweak and pedal around for a couple days. At the same time I need to give me legs a couple days break before the event.

On another note, I've gotten some really good advise here.. Thanks alot everyone!! I'm a habitual tinkering, so as I learn the parts.. I'll understand how to modify based on the need. It sounds like I may end up getting an additional road bike in the near future (10 or 11 speed).

colnago62

I think he said the Speed Concept had Sram

DJKTri

So, I'm actually gonna try to get the 32T on when I get it.

I did a climb today and noticed that around +9 elevation I get really compelled to lift out of the saddle. That's where it gets really tough.

I actually went and found this climb in strava. I was using GPSmyride before. The climb I'll be doing per the strava segment is:

1.72 Miles +6.9% with a +625 ft increase. Except 397ft of that increase is the last .8 Miles. So it's that last .8 Miles that gets really nasty (+9 territory).

What I did today was 1.04 Miles with a 5.2% increase. Totally +287. Most of the increase is on the last half mile, but it still only touches +9 for a moment or two.. I was only doing 9-10mph @ 80rpm. Some of the really elite cyclists I know will do the same climb at 13-14mph.

I found a couple people practicing for the event on actual course. On the last 8/10 of mile they were doing around 6mph spinning 50-60rpm.

Racing Dan

You appear to not care about real numbers. Unless you are Super Man you need MUCH lower gears to maintain proper cadence, as I calculated before. You need to post your actual numbers or its a guessing game.

ZHVelo

What wattage will you cycle at for that duration?

I am particularly interested in this, because my favourite local climb is 2.9km (so a tad shorter) at 8.9% average gradient. And I use 34/32 or 34/30 for a lot of that (i.e. my lowest two gears). It feels a lot better to do 70+ RPM than 60 (or even less). I indeed keep a lower gear and increase RPM to 80s up to 90 maybe even when it gets a little flatter, rather than going up in gear (and then back down).

Might be best actually if you try it out once if you have that possibility.

DJKTri

It'll "probably" be around 280W or so. I'd prefer not to dip into the 60 RPM range, but I'm sorta at the mercy of how my gearing will be setup. At best I'll be using a 39/32. I'm sorta used to the 39/27, so hopefully my legs are just used to pushing heavy gearing. Which is most likely why I keep getting creeping annoyances in one my knee.

I'll be the first to admit I'll no cycling expert in anyway shape or form. Running has been my things for quite some time and swimming and cycling are both somewhat new. My goal is really just to finish and finish strong vs feeling totally finished when starting the run portion. This is gonna be a real learning experience. After this event I'll have a little time to focus on working on the TT.

terrymorse 

9 mph on a 5.2% grade takes about 3 Watts/kg, a pretty hard effort for most cyclists.

The same power produces 7.2 mph at 6.9%, or just 6mph at 9%.

At 6mph, I’ll be climbing in my 34/28 gear (my lowest), with a cadence in the 60s.

DJKTri

Looking over my effort yesterday, 1.04 miles with a 5.2% increase, 9.6mph was 200W.

I was using standard crank size with a 27t. So certainly not optimal bc theres a small 8/9 portion that made me want to stand.

terrymorse 

So you probably weigh about 145-150. Am I close?

DJKTri

About 155 lbs.

ZHVelo

If 39/32 the best you can do, do do it. And unless the climb is very uneven (i.e. the 8.5% is some 5% some 10+ %) that should be fine with 280W.

DJKTri

Too close (32T)? May have to back down to the 30T. Shifting seems fine on the trainer....

terrymorse 

If it’s shifting fine, and it’s quiet, you’re good to go.