53 / 39 advice required.

A light bike doesn't replace good fitness.

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diegogarcia
Posts: 571
Joined: Sat Apr 24, 2010 7:31 pm

by diegogarcia

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.

lcoolb
Posts: 313
Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 12:25 pm
Location: Jakarta, Indonesia / The Hague, Holland

by lcoolb

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

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diegogarcia
Posts: 571
Joined: Sat Apr 24, 2010 7:31 pm

by diegogarcia

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


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

beardking
Posts: 257
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2011 11:22 pm

by beardking

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?

Gregorio
Posts: 1564
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2007 10:24 pm
Location: Center of the Universe

by Gregorio

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

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geraldatwork
Posts: 796
Joined: Wed Dec 21, 2005 7:21 pm

by geraldatwork

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

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

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Tomstr
Posts: 572
Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2011 5:04 pm

by Tomstr

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.
Ride it like you stole it

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Tapeworm
Posts: 2585
Joined: Thu May 03, 2007 10:39 am

by Tapeworm

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
"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

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