1x commuter as a training tool

A light bike doesn't replace good fitness.

Moderator: Moderator Team

Post Reply
wintershade
Posts: 295
Joined: Mon Apr 16, 2018 7:12 pm
Location: Boston, MA

by wintershade

Hi -- I'm wondering what are people's thoughts on communiting on a 1x setup for a commute with some steepish hills as a training tool? Would the gaps help with building more comfort cycling at a wide variety of cadences?

Marin
Posts: 4035
Joined: Wed Jan 22, 2014 11:48 am
Location: Vienna Austria

by Marin

1x11 or singlespeed, or fixed?

Since you're mentioning gaps, I guess you're talking about 1x11 - then the gaps depend on your cassette. E.g. if you run 42x 12-25 you won't have large gaps, but you'll have to get out of the saddle on steepish hills.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



ooo
Posts: 1590
Joined: Sat May 21, 2016 12:59 pm

by ooo

Use 2 rear wheels with 2 different cassettes
'

User avatar
LeDuke
Posts: 2021
Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2012 2:39 am
Location: Front Range, CO

by LeDuke

Training for what?

Because I'm an MTB guy, I'm not super particular about jumps in cadence like some roadies are, so my road bike is 48t x 10-42. Good enough to get me up and down any climb I'll encounter here in CO. I can climb/ride comfortably at 55-90rpm.

TobinHatesYou
Posts: 12443
Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2017 12:02 pm

by TobinHatesYou

You can pretend your geared bike has as few gears as you want...

AJS914
Posts: 5392
Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2014 6:52 pm

by AJS914

It’s hard to see how larger jumps in the cassette will contribute to a meaningful training adaptation.

Some people climb in a big gear at low rpms to build strength but you can do that on any bike.

wintershade
Posts: 295
Joined: Mon Apr 16, 2018 7:12 pm
Location: Boston, MA

by wintershade

I was thinking 1x11. Training for road racing TT and increasing comfort/efficiency at a broader range of RPMs. The idea would be largerjump on a 10-42 cassette for example would result in my spending more time at the top and bottom ends of my usual cadence range and thus build more efficiency / improve form.

I do sometimes pretend my 11-29 cassette is an 11-25 for climbing work. I’m pretty good at low cadence work. It’s actually comfort at 95-100+ that needs work for me. My HR jumps through the roof at a given power.

moyboy
Posts: 492
Joined: Thu Aug 18, 2016 12:19 am

by moyboy

I used 1x for training, no issues when it was ERG mode training. during regular rides just the typical jump if you're using the wide range cassette on the trainer (if it's direct drive).

User avatar
onemanpeloton
Posts: 367
Joined: Wed Jul 12, 2017 11:30 am
Location: Edinburgh, UK

by onemanpeloton

TobinHatesYou wrote:
Tue Jan 01, 2019 6:05 am
You can pretend your geared bike has as few gears as you want...
this ^
2020 Trek Boone
2017 Merida Reacto
2017 Trek Superfly AL

bm0p700f
in the industry
Posts: 5777
Joined: Sat May 12, 2012 7:25 pm
Location: Glermsford, Suffolk U.K
Contact:

by bm0p700f

Like Le Duke I commute on 1x11 but 42-11-32T becaue I live in East angular as a well know now deceased person once said.

Cadance jumps should not worry you. They dont concern MTB riders are we are not an alien species.

sleep
Posts: 15
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2019 9:16 pm

by sleep

I doubt commuter could do any good on specific trainning but just adding base mileages which is good for endurance (assume your commuter is long enough)?

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



wintershade
Posts: 295
Joined: Mon Apr 16, 2018 7:12 pm
Location: Boston, MA

by wintershade

My commute is only about 30 minutes.

I just decided screw the 1x, and am ordering a custom built Stelbel Rodano disc Record 12 speed with full fenders as a really nice winter bike. 1x sounded cool for amoment, but I'd rather just stick with the Campy ergonomics that I prefer.

Post Reply