Mad Manatee Mentors 2013: CLOSED (exc/ Pop Tart bribes) (Page 286)

No - I have a standard crank (39, 53) and an 11 - 23 casette. (11 - 17 + 19, 21, 23).  

Couple questions:

1. What is the largest front crank I can go to? 
2. Smallest rear?  (I really want a bigger front crank for those screaming descents, but don't want to screw up my paces on the flats.  At the same time - I feel I will develop into a faster rider on the flats if I start working with a larger chain ring on the front).  
3. What would you recommend for routes with a lot tougher climbing? Here's a link to one of my routes around here. 56 miles  This is a pretty common amount of climbing for me - no matter what loop I do around here.  I handle these hills fine with my current setup (I didn't used to be able to say that).  This climb - almost killed me.  It is short - but there are segments between 10% and 15%.  It hurt - and my cadence dropped into the low 60's for this Beast.  

I'm sure it's in there - but just for good measure...

BAAAAAD rum and coke/bachelorette party experience 14 years ago that may or may not have included flashing, streaking, pizza and the bathroom floor.  Finally tried another one this year.  

Use a letter opener.

BAAAAAD rum and coke/bachelorette party experience 14 years ago that may or may not have included flashing, streaking, pizza and the bathroom floor.  Finally tried another one this year.  

The home page lists the swim as a loop, but on the course page it's listed as point to point?  Hopefully it's the latter so you don't have to swim against the current!!  Bike with 2100ft of climbing and a run with 700ft of elevation... it'll be interesting to see how quickly this one sells out. 

It's the gap between the big and small ring that is likely to limit you, at 16T. So with a 39 small, that would be a 55 big ring. That would take you from 52 mph to 53.9. You're not actually going to feel that difference. I'd rather keep it lower so that I wasn't shifting between the two rings so much. Thinking you can get more out of learning to spin better for going really fast.  I know you spin high on normal pacing (at or just over 100?), but how much higher can you go (in control)? I can usually go something like 140 to a bit over 150 (I run out of hill before going higher), and have gone over 190 before. I know it sounds fun, but you'd really be sacrificing some in a more usable range. And I know the feeling, but there is no reason a bigger ring would make you faster on the flats.

Don't go smaller than 11 for the rear cog. There are 10's available, but not all derailleurs can handle them and with their small size they get less efficient. Enough that it can become noticeable.

With hills like that around, I'd be looking at another gear or two. I normally use an 11-23 in back because there isn't anything really substantial in the near area. I have an 11-28 that I'll switch in for the big rides I post. Those I have to drive to.

That's nothing - the Fast and Flat crowd will be helping this sell out very soon!  

That begs the question to the Manatee's.  Are y'all in that "Fast and Flat" crowd, or in the "The tougher the better" crowd.  

Me personally - I want tough!  I plan to do that race back east (can't remember the name) where you get your name in brick if you make that climb.  You know - the one where everyone is falling over!   

If there's a fat and slow crowd count me in.

With a whole 13 days to race day, Red Robber is already completely adjusted and kitted out, ready for an actual long-ish climbing road ride tomorrow.

HELL HATH ICED OVER.