Ultegra Crankset Anyone?

I have an Ultegra double...but you can't have it   Seriously, it's on my bike.  So what's all this talk about gain ratio...you've lost me. Can't you just replace the 52 ring with a 53?

Hey Jen, That is a cool link.
I don't think you need to worry about your ratios though. If you look at what Brown calls your "radius ratio" (Radius/Crank arm) you are comparable to bikes with larger tires. For example I ride a 700x20c with 170mm cranks that's about ~332/170 ~= 1.95. Your setup is ~ 325/165 ~=1.97! In his calc that value is used as a multiplier to find your final ratio - In other words your shorter crank arm makes up for your smaller wheel size. Classic calculations (like development per meters) don't take this into account.

I ride a 53/42 with 13-21 6 speed and max out at gain ratio of 8.0. This equates to about 45 Km/hr at ~ 80 rpm. Your 52-12 combo beats that. Also peeking at your logs it looks like you are spending more than your share pulling so probably don't need any more POWER! The cadence workout sounds like a killer.

We all know the high cadence stories but to relate it to gears... "In 2000 Lance Armstrong amazed everyone by riding up Hautacam at 90 rpm, and by averaging around 108 rpm in the flat time-trials - albeit on gears of around 110 inches, 53 x 13"

Anyway - my 2 cents - seems like cadence is more important anyways. Save your triple for your Cypress mountain rides

Hi Jen!  I have a double (39/53) Ultegra crank with BB (I think) that is just sitting around.  I switched it out for a compact crank......let me know if you are still thinking about a trade.   I'd be interested. 

I used it for 6 months maximum.....so it's really in good shape, but I haven't cleaned it or anything

Edited by COgirl 2005-10-04 6:49 PM