Bicycle thread

[pierce]

anyone here riding with a compact double front, like a 50-34T ? how is it shifting? seems like a big jump to me, but I haven't got the parts in to build it yet, so what do I know?

[ducnut]

Originally Posted by pierce

anyone here riding with a compact double front, like a 50-34T ? how is it shifting? seems like a big jump to me, but I haven't got the parts in to build it yet, so what do I know?

My Tricross has a 48/34 on it and shifts just fine.

For the tri bike, my SRAM Apex group is in at the LBS. I got the 50/34 crank, but, the cassette I want isn't, yet, available. I'm going to run it with my current 12/27 on the road. I wanted to go with compact gearing, as I'm going to do the 3 State-3 Mountain Challenge, next spring. It'll make the bike more versatile and I can't push a 53-12 combo, anyway.

You can read more about the Apex groupset here. Just put "Apex" in the search engine and several articles will come up.

[Dahveed]

Originally Posted by ducnut

I got beat by a kid, half my age, on a really trick fixie, at last night's TT. I sorta' feel ashamed, though, I shouldn't. It is what it is.

How old are you? Once you get older, you'll get used to kids beating you and finally you'll only mention it when you beat or keep up with them.

[Dahveed]

Originally Posted by pierce

anyone here riding with a compact double front, like a 50-34T ? how is it shifting? seems like a big jump to me, but I haven't got the parts in to build it yet, so what do I know?

I converted my triple to a compact double a few years back. It shifts fine, but I have to trim it when I get to the extreme ends of the rear block.

[pierce]

Originally Posted by ducnut

My Tricross has a 48/34 on it and shifts just fine.

For the tri bike, my SRAM Apex group is in at the LBS. I got the 50/34 crank, but, the cassette I want isn't, yet, available. I'm going to run it with my current 12/27 on the road. I wanted to go with compact gearing, as I'm going to do the 3 State-3 Mountain Challenge, next spring. It'll make the bike more versatile and I can't push a 53-12 combo, anyway.

You can read more about the Apex groupset here. Just put "Apex" in the search engine and several articles will come up.

well, I'm using cheap Shimano and stuff :)

front is a Tiagra double, rear is a Acera long arm (might switch to an alivio I have on another bike because it looks nicer). wheel currently has a sunrace or joytech or something 13-28, but I have a IRD 13-32 on order (both 7-speeds, threaded freewheels which rather limit my choices) but now I'm thinking duh, 34-28 is plenty low, hah!. I seriously doubt I'll be able to spin a 50-13 on anything other than a downhill.

[pierce]

Originally Posted by Dahveed

I converted my triple to a compact double a few years back. It shifts fine, but I have to trim it when I get to the extreme ends of the rear block.

I'm using friction shifters, so trim is S.O.P.

think I'll be able to use the whole 7-speed in either ring? that would be a huge bonus. I've always adhered to the 'don't cross it up' school of gearing, but this bike has a reasonably generous 45mm chainstay and I know new chains are much more flexible than older ones. My Acera/Alivio rear's both have the new style big shift wheels, and long arms so shouldn't have any trouble with chain slack.

[ducnut]

Originally Posted by Dahveed

How old are you? Once you get older, you'll get used to kids beating you and finally you'll only mention it when you beat or keep up with them.

42 versus 22.

That fixie was really cool. Definitely not the typical kid's bike. It had carbon 5-spoke aerowheels and bar. All black; just stupidly clean looking. I'll take my camera, next week.

Originally Posted by Dahveed

It shifts fine, but I have to trim it when I get to the extreme ends of the rear block.

Same with my Tricross.

Originally Posted by pierce

well, I'm using cheap Shimano and stuff :)

The complete Apex groupset is less than $800.

Road levers: $344
Crank and BB: $143
Calipers: $70
Chain: $37
Cassette: $83
FD: $45
RD: $72

They offer some crazy cassettes; all the way to 11/36.

[pierce]

Originally Posted by ducnut

The complete Apex groupset is less than $800.

Road levers: $344
Crank and BB: $143
Calipers: $70
Chain: $37
Cassette: $83
FD: $45
RD: $72

They offer some crazy cassettes; all the way to 11/36.

my complete bike will cost maybe $200 and thats cuz I bought some new stuff when i shoulda scrounged more used

frame+wheels+stem: $45
long seat post $25 (new)
straight bar: $5
rear derailleur: $0 (had it)
front derailleur: $10 for a used Tiagra
brakes: $0 (had the shimano v-brakes and tekro levers already)
shifters: $10 for a pair of 80s vintage Suntour friction thumb shifters
seat: $0 (had it)
tires: $60 (new, michelin city 700x40)
crankset: $60 (new from ebay, FSA Vero Compact, shoulda gone used)
BB: $25 (new shimano sealed, from LBS)
can of red rattle paint: Priceless!

[DoctorIt]

Originally Posted by pierce

anyone here riding with a compact double front, like a 50-34T ? how is it shifting? seems like a big jump to me, but I haven't got the parts in to build it yet, so what do I know?

Shifts just fine - but I hate the ratio - I always feel like I'm in between the big and little rings!

[pierce]

Originally Posted by DoctorIt

Shifts just fine - but I hate the ratio - I always feel like I'm in between the big and little rings!

yeah, i was wondering about that. for me, on a semi-fattire bike like I'm building, I'm betting a 44 or 46 front will be about the max I'd want to pedal with a 13 rear... so, worse case, I get new chain ring and have a 46-34 front with either a 13-28 or 13-32 rear.

[Dranrab Luap]

Originally Posted by Gummee!

Go hit u-tube and search for some of the 2003 & 2004 (IIRC) Tour videos

Jan Ulrich = 60rpm
Lance Armstrong. = 90-110rpm

Be somewhere in the middle.

Aktooly, Greg LeMond climbed at a lower cadence and so did Eddy Merckx. Both were fantastic cyclists, so you don't HAVE to ride at a super high cadence. Helps. ...but you don't hafta.

Me? I can ride up to appx 200rpm on a fixie downhill, but prefer 90-ish.

M

I think the most important thing for newer riders is to try a different cadences to find the one that works for them. You need a special computer to give you an accurate count. If you don't have the cadence counter, just consciously spin at different rates. My best rides end up with a cadence count in the mid 80's.

[pierce]

Originally Posted by Dranrab Luap

I think the most important thing for newer riders is to try a different cadences to find the one that works for them. You need a special computer to give you an accurate count. If you don't have the cadence counter, just consciously spin at different rates. My best rides end up with a cadence count in the mid 80's.

if you're low tech, use a wristwatch or something with a second hand, and count both leg strokes for 1 full minute, and divide by two. or just count one leg and use that as-is.

[ImaPoser]

Originally Posted by DoctorIt

Shifts just fine - but I hate the ratio - I always feel like I'm in between the big and little rings!

+1
I went from a triple to a standard double, which I knew would be too much for me, to a compact. I actually prefer the triple. Now that I'm in to the middle of riding season, I could probably get away with putting the standard double back on, but that last hill coming up to the house is pure hell on me.

[pierce]

Originally Posted by ImaPoser

+1
I went from a triple to a standard double, which I knew would be too much for me, to a compact. I actually prefer the triple. Now that I'm in to the middle of riding season, I could probably get away with putting the standard double back on, but that last hill coming up to the house is pure hell on me.

I've got one of those. 300' climb in .7 miles, blind turns with zero shoulder and car-n-trucks going 50 in a 35 zone. eeeek.

I've been driving down the hill and riding from there.

[Dahveed]

Originally Posted by ImaPoser

+1
I went from a triple to a standard double, which I knew would be too much for me, to a compact. I actually prefer the triple. Now that I'm in to the middle of riding season, I could probably get away with putting the standard double back on, but that last hill coming up to the house is pure hell on me.

I made the change when I was kinda in shape and my front derailleur was misbehaving so I never used the granny gear anyway. I had a warranty issue on my front cranks and had the bike shop make the switch instead of putting on another triple. Now I'm in worse shape and the triple would be nice.