Which is most efficient (note I said “efficient”, and not “faster” or “better”): a taller gearing, or easier?
Context: After riding 34x20 as my “daily, go-everywhere” gearing for years, I recently switched it to 34x19 on my new (lighter) build. While I like it, and can generally handle it just fine, on some of the harder climbing around my local trail system, I found myself getting somewhat “stuck” in the gear, and really having to muscle it over. I made everything, but it was effing work, and slow going, at times.
Yes, typical SS’ing, but I’m thinking I’d be more efficient and, yes, “faster”, in a lighter gearing, where I can maintain a higher cadence on the grunts. In terms of “gear inches”, the marginal decrease of the lighter gearing would be more than made up for by the higher cadence. Yeah, might give some of that back on flats, but not enough to overcome the increased climbing efficiency.
Side note: I’ve been doing a lot of “training” on my geared hard tail, and have been working on spinning more, and using a higher cadence. I’ve noticed I can be quite fast on climbs by really jamming up them in 34x21 vs. trying to muscle them in 34x18 (my next gear down the cassette), and my legs feel less worked also.
I know, blasphemy with regard to the “Go Hard(er) or Go Home” SS ethos, but I’m interested in feedback on this. I’m an SS-endurance racer/rider (12/24-hours solo), and this **** adds up. Thanks!
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Context: After riding 34x20 as my “daily, go-everywhere” gearing for years, I recently switched it to 34x19 on my new (lighter) build. While I like it, and can generally handle it just fine, on some of the harder climbing around my local trail system, I found myself getting somewhat “stuck” in the gear, and really having to muscle it over. I made everything, but it was effing work, and slow going, at times.
Yes, typical SS’ing, but I’m thinking I’d be more efficient and, yes, “faster”, in a lighter gearing, where I can maintain a higher cadence on the grunts. In terms of “gear inches”, the marginal decrease of the lighter gearing would be more than made up for by the higher cadence. Yeah, might give some of that back on flats, but not enough to overcome the increased climbing efficiency.
Side note: I’ve been doing a lot of “training” on my geared hard tail, and have been working on spinning more, and using a higher cadence. I’ve noticed I can be quite fast on climbs by really jamming up them in 34x21 vs. trying to muscle them in 34x18 (my next gear down the cassette), and my legs feel less worked also.
I know, blasphemy with regard to the “Go Hard(er) or Go Home” SS ethos, but I’m interested in feedback on this. I’m an SS-endurance racer/rider (12/24-hours solo), and this **** adds up. Thanks!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk