2x11 Gravel Bikes... why?
04-20-18, 11:38 AM
#101
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One thing missed in all the arguments about gearing is that the body adapts.
When I went to a relatively wide(er) range 11-36 cassette I was hunting for the right gear. At that time I agreed with those who say that not having a tightly spaced gears is serious drawback. Then I rode more, got stronger and what used to be a huge space between gears doesn't seem as big now.
I'll bet that all the people who think 1x has little value would become much stronger if forced to use it for a year. It will suck at first but after a while, if you ride it enough and on tough courses, it will be no big deal.
Take that to the extreme and go ride the ultimate 1x - a fixed gear bike. Your body will adapt.
-Tim-
When I went to a relatively wide(er) range 11-36 cassette I was hunting for the right gear. At that time I agreed with those who say that not having a tightly spaced gears is serious drawback. Then I rode more, got stronger and what used to be a huge space between gears doesn't seem as big now.
I'll bet that all the people who think 1x has little value would become much stronger if forced to use it for a year. It will suck at first but after a while, if you ride it enough and on tough courses, it will be no big deal.
Take that to the extreme and go ride the ultimate 1x - a fixed gear bike. Your body will adapt.
-Tim-
It's one thing to design gear ratios for an engine, as it has known torque curve at all RPMs. It will never change. However, the human body will have varying levels of output and efficiency, depending on how you feel and how rested you are. Some days no gear feels right to me and other days all gears feel great.
I went from 3x to 2x and at first missed the triple. After a few weeks I realized that the granny gear is pretty much useless in flat Chicago area.
04-20-18, 05:56 PM
#102
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How much torque do your leg muscles have to produce:
- Grinding up a hill at 45 rpm because of the gear you're in?
- Squatting with 200+ lbs on your back, which takes ~3 seconds per rep?
04-20-18, 08:22 PM
#103
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Skip the 200 lbs, and just Squat, come part way up, go back down then come up. Do it 10x.... I double dare you. lol
04-22-18, 02:35 AM
#104
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I know this was 2 days ago which is forever in internet time. But it hit me, out of the blue, while I wasn't even thinking about this.
How much torque do your leg muscles have to produce:
How much torque do your leg muscles have to produce:
- Grinding up a hill at 45 rpm because of the gear you're in?
- Squatting with 200+ lbs on your back, which takes ~3 seconds per rep?
But fast running is usually so specific, I'm kinda curious what your times(with current age and PR age) were.
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