Thread: Which ring do you stay in? Road Bike Related

I have a 2 ring Specialized.
My buddy has 3 rings.

I find I am in my top ring a lot more than others. Is this because of the gearing? Or should I spin it more for better performance?

I am used to Mtn Biking, where I would normally use leg strength more than spinning to get the result I wanted. Road riding is a bit different. I just don't see the advantage of spinning twice as hard, when I can be in a tougher gear and use my legs. I do not tire out any quicker, or need to stand up a lot.

Is it just a matter of choice, or should I work on spinning more?

having ridden a ton in florida and georgia, I was 90% of the time in my big ring too. Generally big ring and the 3-5th gear down from the large end of the cassett spinning 100ish rpm and crusing at 19-21mph. Also on a 2ring specialized allez elite 18 from a few years back.

edit: riding on CO is a completely different story

I find that spinning between 85 - 95 rpm on flat sections keeps my legs fresher for later in the ride than trying to stomp a larger gear.

I've tried higher cadences while climbing, but found that I prefer to turn over a slightly larger gear when going uphill.

I guess it's mostly a matter of personal preference, but it would seem that spinning more would be more efficient in the long run.

Spinning is definitely more efficient. Pushing a huge gear just isn't smart, whether you're on a MTB or a road bike. Pushing a big gear is a different story. What's huge? What's merely big? I'd link it to RPMs in your cadence.

People have been training for long distance road races for over a century. Most will use something in a range of 85-110 rpm for their normal riding cadence. When it comes to hill climbing there's a different emphasis, because climbing is somewhat like sprinting but against gravity. It's more power pedaling and less momentum conservation. So, there will be a range of styles of climbing. A perfect contrast was the Jan Ullrich - Lance Armstrong duel several years ago in the TdF. Lance is a high-rpm spin climber. Jan is a big gear slow cranking climber.

Yup.
Personal physiology, fitness, terrain, geography, wind, duration, and altitude all play a role.
Answer:
I stay in the ring that is appropriate for the given situation.

I've got a triple, and I find myself in the big ring most of the time (first few gears), and in the middle range of the 2nd ring the other times. When I'm climbing up in the mountains, I find myself in the small ring, gasping for air.

I have 39/53 chainrings and a 12-25 cassette on my roadie. Early season I stay on the small ring and spin on the flats. As I get stronger, I start climing more and ease into the big ring as needed.

Cadence, like foot speed for a runner, is more important to me than riding the big ring like Jan.

I also ride a Gunnar Rodie with the 39/53 and a 12/25. I find that running with a cadence of 90 to 100 is a awesome spot for training. To as long as I keep this the gear really doesn't matter. But if you grab that big ring and don't hold that cadence it will hurt you in the long rides. That said I agree with Inspector in the early season I ride the little ring as much as possible and when my leg strenght picks up I will increase to the big ring but still trying to hold my 90 to 100 rpms.

I just climbed the Dam hills just west of fort collins along the res and let me tell you I would had payed for a 3rd ring in the front.
I have around 15 mtb rides in this spring and thought I would give the rodie a go.
Let me tell ya it kicked my ass.

Don't get me wrong a third ring would be the savior in MANY cases but there is many people who make it with only two so it can be done. I went out for my first road ride this year and I would have given anything for another set of gears but I didn't have it so I am training like I won't get them. What I would suggest is if you are riding with only two rights and the 25 in back out be spend the 50 bucks and buy yourself a 27 tooth back casset.

Originally Posted by uncle crud

A perfect contrast was the Jan Ullrich - Lance Armstrong duel several years ago in the TdF. Lance is a high-rpm spin climber. Jan is a big gear slow cranking climber.

Well said, Crud. I just read an article on raceathlete.com last week which used the same two examples to make the same point.

It was also accompanied by these wonderful photos:


vs.


which i found hilarious.

I need to fly like that.

I have a 39/53 and a 12/25.

The 39 is generally only used for uphill/headwind (quite common here), or starting from a stop.

I'm a spin to win guy for sure, no mashing. I also only road ride like 20 days/year max. Dirt is way more fun.

Originally Posted by moto822

Don't get me wrong a third ring would be the savior in MANY cases but there is many people who make it with only two so it can be done. I went out for my first road ride this year and I would have given anything for another set of gears but I didn't have it so I am training like I won't get them. What I would suggest is if you are riding with only two rights and the 25 in back out be spend the 50 bucks and buy yourself a 27 tooth back casset.

My new bike has a compact (50-36) crankset. I love it. Now I can spin up climbs I used to have to mash up. I also just got a computer with cadence, and usually spin at 95-100 rpm on the flats. 80 rpm feels realy slow.

Plake what computer did u get? I am looking for a good one but haven't found one i completely like...I have been looking at the PowerTap but I am not sure yet...

Cheap ass Sigma Sport that I got from Gravitylover.