"big gear"

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2010-07-14 7:47 PM

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Subject: "big gear"
Is there a guideline for what constitutes a "big gear" in the training plans? I'm not a great biker (trying to get stronger though!) and didn't see it on the list of terms in the training plan support.  Also, when you're doing a higher cadence, what gear should you be in? I usually am on a stationary at the gym on weekdays, so some rule of thumb would be great to let me know if I'm on the right track.  Thank you.

2010-07-14 11:36 PM
in reply to: #2981745

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Subject: RE: "big gear"
QUESTION MODIFIED FOR CLARITY:  Is there a guideline for what constitutes a "big gear" for a stationary/trainer bike (at the gym)? For instance, if I usually ride at a resistance level 10 for a longer workout, should I be doing a level 12-13 for 'big gear' or more like a level 20 (doubling the resistance)? 

Also, when you're doing a higher cadence on a bike at the gym, and it doesn't say "big gear" on your plan, what resistance level should you be in? A low level, a mid-level, or a difficult level? (Let's say like a 5, a 10, or a 15?)  

I'm not a great biker (trying to get stronger though!) and didn't see this on the list of terms in the training plan support.  
Thank you.



Edited by nmladic 2010-07-14 11:43 PM
2010-07-15 2:12 PM
in reply to: #2982001

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Subject: RE: "big gear"

nmladic - 2010-07-14 10:36 PM

QUESTION MODIFIED FOR CLARITY:  Is there a guideline for what constitutes a "big gear" for a stationary/trainer bike (at the gym)? For instance, if I usually ride at a resistance level 10 for a longer workout, should I be doing a level 12-13 for 'big gear' or more like a level 20 (doubling the resistance)? 

Also, when you're doing a higher cadence on a bike at the gym, and it doesn't say "big gear" on your plan, what resistance level should you be in? A low level, a mid-level, or a difficult level? (Let's say like a 5, a 10, or a 15?)  

I'm not a great biker (trying to get stronger though!) and didn't see this on the list of terms in the training plan support.  
Thank you.


Hi Nicole!
Great questions. Big Gear would be big ring in the front and a gear in the back that has you at about 55-65 RPMS. A very low cadence relatively speaking. I don't know about level 10, or 15 on a stationary bike, but I can say your effort level is about 6/10 and the cadence is about 55-65 rpms. HR should be Zone 2.

High cadence should be 90+ rpms. That should also be a 6/10 effort and a Zone 3 HR.

Let me know if this helps! Good luck!

 

2010-07-16 10:09 AM
in reply to: #2983435

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Subject: RE: "big gear"
Wow, that is helpful. I don't think I work hard enough when it says "big gear" on the stationary trainer because I'm usually between 75-85 RPM... I just increase the tension haphazardly, but always try not to drop below 75 RPMs.  Based on your answer, I can probably ratchet up the resistance to stay closer to 65 RPM, working harder with every pedal. I haven't yet done heart rate monitoring yet, but that's probably a good idea at this point to improve on the bike.

I've been pretty focused on increasing my cadence since I started bike training this year, but I might need to increase the resistance on every bike workout now, because I'm floating up into the 100+ RPMS rather easily - which spurred me to ask the questions in the first place. 

Maybe that means I'm getting stronger? I think the single leg efficency workouts have made quite a difference!
Thank you again for the advice.
2010-07-16 11:33 AM
in reply to: #2985081

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Boulder, Colorado
Subject: RE: "big gear"

nmladic - 2010-07-16 9:09 AM Wow, that is helpful. I don't think I work hard enough when it says "big gear" on the stationary trainer because I'm usually between 75-85 RPM... I just increase the tension haphazardly, but always try not to drop below 75 RPMs.  Based on your answer, I can probably ratchet up the resistance to stay closer to 65 RPM, working harder with every pedal. I haven't yet done heart rate monitoring yet, but that's probably a good idea at this point to improve on the bike.

I've been pretty focused on increasing my cadence since I started bike training this year, but I might need to increase the resistance on every bike workout now, because I'm floating up into the 100+ RPMS rather easily - which spurred me to ask the questions in the first place. 

Maybe that means I'm getting stronger? I think the single leg efficency workouts have made quite a difference!
Thank you again for the advice.

Glad I could help! You are probably getting stronger so pedaling at 90 rpms is fine, but it's good to be able to pedal well at all cadence ranges. That's why we have those low cadence workouts as well as the high cadence ones.

Let me know if we can help again!

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