Which gear?

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2009-07-19 9:57 PM

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Subject: Which gear?
So I am new to the sport and cycling. Just wondering do you do most of your riding on the large or small gear on the front?

2009-07-19 10:04 PM
in reply to: #2295071

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Subject: RE: Which gear?
Welcome to BT.  There really isn't an answer to the question, as the answer is... it depends on the terrain.  Most people find that spinning at somewhere between 80 -100 rpms is best for them, so if that's achievable in the big ring, then that's the gear to use.
2009-07-20 6:45 AM
in reply to: #2295079

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Subject: RE: Which gear?
ChrisM - 2009-07-19 11:04 PM

Welcome to BT.  There really isn't an answer to the question, as the answer is... it depends on the terrain.  Most people find that spinning at somewhere between 80 -100 rpms is best for them, so if that's achievable in the big ring, then that's the gear to use.


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2009-07-20 6:50 AM
in reply to: #2295071

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Subject: RE: Which gear?
I have 3 gears in the front.  I ride 99% of the time in the middle gear.
2009-07-20 12:40 PM
in reply to: #2295079

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Subject: RE: Which gear?
ChrisM - 2009-07-19 11:04 PM Welcome to BT.  There really isn't an answer to the question, as the answer is... it depends on the terrain.  Most people find that spinning at somewhere between 80 -100 rpms is best for them, so if that's achievable in the big ring, then that's the gear to use.


x3.  I think if you polled everybody you'd find that most people use their big ring on flat terrain and the small ring on hilly terrain.  On rollers some people use one, some people the other.

Use what works for you.

2009-07-20 2:14 PM
in reply to: #2295071

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Subject: RE: Which gear?
It doesn't really matter. What matters is the gear combination you ride in, front and rear, that gets you your most efficient cadence.

If I'm riding under 22mph (varying terrain, lower paced training ride, wind), for the most part I'm on the small chainring. If i'm faster (flat terrain, tailwind, most races) I'm on the big one.

2009-07-21 2:12 AM
in reply to: #2295071

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Subject: RE: Which gear?
How often do you guys shift? I'm finding that I'm shifting a LOT, even in the front (I'm running a triple). On my short easy spin today I ran all the way from the lowest gear combo through to the highest. Most of that was because I was trying to spin out and not mash, but even when I'm not, I find I'm switching the front rings pretty regularly. Is this a newbie thing (I'm totally new to road bikes) or a strength thing or a just how I ride thing?
2009-07-21 5:14 AM
in reply to: #2297893

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Subject: RE: Which gear?
Slugger - 2009-07-21 2:12 AM How often do you guys shift? I'm finding that I'm shifting a LOT, even in the front (I'm running a triple). On my short easy spin today I ran all the way from the lowest gear combo through to the highest. Most of that was because I was trying to spin out and not mash, but even when I'm not, I find I'm switching the front rings pretty regularly. Is this a newbie thing (I'm totally new to road bikes) or a strength thing or a just how I ride thing?


Depends a lot on the terrain and other factors. Around here it's mostly flat, if there's no wind I can do a whole ride without shifting more than one or two gears in the back.

Not sure why, on a relatively flat course, one would shift the front (chainrings) at all...
2009-07-21 5:16 AM
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Subject: RE: Which gear?
the bear - 2009-07-21 6:14 AM
Slugger - 2009-07-21 2:12 AM How often do you guys shift? I'm finding that I'm shifting a LOT, even in the front (I'm running a triple). On my short easy spin today I ran all the way from the lowest gear combo through to the highest. Most of that was because I was trying to spin out and not mash, but even when I'm not, I find I'm switching the front rings pretty regularly. Is this a newbie thing (I'm totally new to road bikes) or a strength thing or a just how I ride thing?


Depends a lot on the terrain and other factors. Around here it's mostly flat, if there's no wind I can do a whole ride without shifting more than one or two gears in the back.

Not sure why, on a relatively flat course, one would shift the front (chainrings) at all...


21-22 cassette?  :P
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