changing chainrings
11-29-21, 01:13 AM
#26
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So, this talk about 140rpm at the cranks is ridiculous. Sure, some riders will do it for short periods of time (sprinting, or just because, I guess), but most of us (pros included) are spinning between 80-100 for most of any ride. So, to Larry's implications that "50x11 at 140 rpm is like 50 mph" is just a distraction. If we are going to do real talk about gearing and rpms, lets bound it by the "normal" ranges that we are riding in...which 140 is clearly outside of.
FWIW here is Hirschi spinning around 120 rpm (for short periods of time). He's not asking for a bigger chainring.
But I digress, if someone wants to pedal 60 rpm on the flats, let them throw a 53 on. As long as they have healthy joints and aren't trying to win a race, it should be fine.
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11-29-21, 07:57 AM
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That's fine, as long as we talk about the "normal" speeds as well. Even at 100 rpm, a 50x11 is about 37 mph, faster than most of us (pros included) sustain on the flats. I think that's why these topics get such strong responses like those from LarrySellerz , because anyone who says they're spinning out on that gear on the flats is either fooling with us, or has horribly improper form and could use some help.
FWIW here is Hirschi spinning around 120 rpm (for short periods of time). He's not asking for a bigger chainring. https://youtu.be/Uot32nsQNn0
And here's a good clip explaining why pros don't bother pedaling much at that point anyway. https://youtu.be/zojjIghKQoM
But I digress, if someone wants to pedal 60 rpm on the flats, let them throw a 53 on. As long as they have healthy joints and aren't trying to win a race, it should be fine.
FWIW here is Hirschi spinning around 120 rpm (for short periods of time). He's not asking for a bigger chainring. https://youtu.be/Uot32nsQNn0
And here's a good clip explaining why pros don't bother pedaling much at that point anyway. https://youtu.be/zojjIghKQoM
But I digress, if someone wants to pedal 60 rpm on the flats, let them throw a 53 on. As long as they have healthy joints and aren't trying to win a race, it should be fine.
11-29-21, 08:27 AM
#28
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There's always more to it than that. I generate a lot of heat during physical activities. The lower cadence/bigger gear will produce less heat buildup than the higher cadence/smaller gear.(at least for me) I took a bike to the HotterNHell 100 earlier this year with high gears specifically for that reason. Averaged 69rpm for the ride. Still got too hot and abandoned with 3 miles left. Trying to spin along through that heat/wind at a higher cadence would have put me out a lot sooner.
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11-29-21, 11:57 PM
#29
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11-30-21, 12:29 AM
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That's fine, as long as we talk about the "normal" speeds as well. Even at 100 rpm, a 50x11 is about 37 mph, faster than most of us (pros included) sustain on the flats. I think that's why these topics get such strong responses like those from LarrySellerz , because anyone who says they're spinning out on that gear on the flats is either fooling with us, or has horribly improper form and could use some help.
FWIW here is Hirschi spinning around 120 rpm (for short periods of time). He's not asking for a bigger chainring. https://youtu.be/Uot32nsQNn0
And here's a good clip explaining why pros don't bother pedaling much at that point anyway. https://youtu.be/zojjIghKQoM
But I digress, if someone wants to pedal 60 rpm on the flats, let them throw a 53 on. As long as they have healthy joints and aren't trying to win a race, it should be fine.
FWIW here is Hirschi spinning around 120 rpm (for short periods of time). He's not asking for a bigger chainring. https://youtu.be/Uot32nsQNn0
And here's a good clip explaining why pros don't bother pedaling much at that point anyway. https://youtu.be/zojjIghKQoM
But I digress, if someone wants to pedal 60 rpm on the flats, let them throw a 53 on. As long as they have healthy joints and aren't trying to win a race, it should be fine.
Last edited by LarrySellerz; 11-30-21 at 11:15 AM.
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11-30-21, 01:17 AM
#31
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And yes, I can understand anyone with a speed addiction wanting whatever gear they can push to find that limit. It just doesn't sound like that's the case for the OP.
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12-05-21, 07:39 PM
#32
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IMO, the OP was about can a gearing change be made versus should it be.
dirtydozen I can move this thread to the Mechanics Forum for you and you may get more discussion on whether you can change chain rings as you envision. Let me know.
dirtydozen I can move this thread to the Mechanics Forum for you and you may get more discussion on whether you can change chain rings as you envision. Let me know.
