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GIANT-STEPS SparkPoints: (65,424)
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 5/25/11 4:26 P

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One principal I've always followed is that if you rarely or never use part of your bike something is wrong.

If a cyclist always uses the top of the handlebar and brake hoods and never the drops their handlebars are too low.

If a cyclist never uses the big chain-ring than their bike is geared too high.

Likewise if a cyclist never uses their small chain-ring their bike is geared too low (ok, I never actually saw this but you get the idea).

Back when I raced I noticed that I didn't need as high gears for my beater bike as for my racing bike. On my racing bike I spent about half of my time on the 42 and half on the 52 but on my beater bike I almost never left the small chain-ring. I ordered a 36-48 crank. The 36 gave me lower gears for riding home heavily loaded with groceries and the 48 gave me a large chain-ring I could actually use.

When "compact" cranks came out 25 years later I felt vindicated! Smaller chain-rings; whoda' thought of that?
NZGODDESS's Photo NZGODDESS Posts: 760
 5/22/11 7:54 P

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DDOORN's Photo DDOORN Posts: 26,138
 5/22/11 7:40 A

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On the right hills (good road conditions, no intersections or stop signs, roomy shoulder, light traffic) it can be SO COOL to crank it up and FLY down those hills!

Don

Co-Team Leader for All Health Pros, Binghamton Area Losers & Laid Off But Staying Strong SparkTeams

Tell Me What Is It You Plan To Do With Your One Wild & Precious Life? ---Mary Oliver

Don't die with your music still in you. -- Dr. Wayne Dyer

"We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same." --- Carlos Castaneda

"You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection." --- Buddha


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KITTY1970's Photo KITTY1970 Posts: 5,005
 5/21/11 9:13 P

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Every time I rely on Jesus He never lets me down.
Faith + grace = salvation


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BEVPRESLEY's Photo BEVPRESLEY SparkPoints: (298,902)
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 5/21/11 9:03 P

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Good for you! Love the big ring on the downhills.


beverly

One Day at a Time:
1) walk/ride 30 minutes
2) organize something in my home
3) fruit or veggie with each meal
4) sew 1 bobbin full
5) make someone smile


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BARRONVC's Photo BARRONVC Posts: 1,893
 5/21/11 6:03 P

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Speed is relative term. The big chain ring will increase the distance per revolution, it will also decrease the torque. If you turn high RPM's in the smaller chain-ring you can achieve similar speeds.

Let's do an example:

1. Front Chain-ring = 39, rear cog = 14, RPM 105, Speed will be 22.35298295 mph at the roll out (2050 or 80.7") I programmed into my Excel spreadsheet.

2. Front Chain-ring = 53, rear cog = 19, RPM 105, Speed will be Speed will be 22.38314892
mph at the roll out (2050 or 80.7") I programmed into my Excel spreadsheet.

That's pretty darn close. Study your math and gearing. There is nothing to fear.

I try to avoid the big chain ring early in the season and work on keeping my RPM's higher (85 to 110). I'm old and have always allowed my knees and legs time to adapt, (4 to 6 weeks indoors or outdoors). Then I gradually add gears and my body is ready for the added stress.

Good Luck



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LMB-ESQ's Photo LMB-ESQ Posts: 12,184
 5/21/11 2:44 P

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Good for you! emoticon

Can I ask... why were you afraid of it?

***** Laurie in Northeast Ohio *****

Fortunate are you if you love a dog, for that dog will surely love you.

Fly Free my friend.... for only in true freedom can we find our true selves

Treat stressful situations like a dog... If you can't eat it or play with it, just pee on it and walk away!

Neat Link: The Rules for Being Human rules4humans.com/


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MOLLYKITTY's Photo MOLLYKITTY SparkPoints: (0)
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 5/21/11 2:14 P

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Today I finally got over my fear of the large chainring on my bike. Biked (flew) downtown in record time!

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Your body is a machine, give it the fuel it needs:

*Eat before you're hungry, drink before you're thirsty. The machine works better when it's well primed.

*Plan ahead. You wouldn't drive through the desert on a quarter-tank of gas, would you?

*Quality in, quality out. Proper nutrition will help you get maximum benefit from your workout.


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