Hi all,

Recently upgraded to 53/39 on my bike. My other bike runs 52/36.

I have noticed that I fatigue a lot sooner into the ride and on some rolling roads, things are not as fluid as they were.

Work life balance aside, as in somedays you are the hammer etc, can 1 tooth on a the bigger chain ring make that much difference to a bike with a 12/25 cassette on the back. I can hold a good speed on flat roads, but seem to be bottoming out sooner, though I realise that it is still early in the season. I am averaging 150 miles per week at the moment. Was thinking about picking up a 52 tooth for my bike. Cant swap from other rig as 110 / 130 BCD. Any advice appreciated.

Thanks,

Diego.

Try riding your other bike with 52/36 for a while and see what happens?

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2010 Guerciotti Whisper
2007 Bianchi 928L (update Sep '11)
1999 Bianchi MegaPro 25CrMo4

Yeah, totally different bike though. Nice idea however. I will take it out tomorrow.

1 tooth shouldn't make a difference, you have a range of gears to use with both set ups that should be similar.

do you keep an eye on your cadence and has your average cadence changed much?

Its all in your head. Get out and ride. Give it time and you will adapt

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TIME RXR

Great bit of universal advise that will work in almost any situation involving bicycles.

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"Really fast people are frustrating, but they make you faster. When you get faster, you might frustrate someone else."

2009 Trek Madone 5.5 Project One SRAM Force 16.4 lbs w/pedals and cages.
2007 Bianchi 928 Carbon Lugged- SRAM Rival-17 lbs.

Last year I changed my 53 for a 52 I had laying around and it made some difference. Next crankset is going to be 52 for sure. If it works for you just keep it.

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Ride it like you stole it

For reference, the gear chart helps to give you an idea of the relative gearing relationship between chainrings and cogs.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2399/232 ... 84e1d0.jpg

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"Physiology is all just propaganda and lies... all waiting to be disproven by the next study."
"I'm not a real doctor; But I am a real worm; I am an actual worm." - TMBG