What gearing is everyone planning on using for St George? I’m planning to stick with my 23-11 and 53/39, possibly the 25. From what I’ve heard, while long, the ascents aren’t super steep. Anyone with previous years experience?
On a similar note… anyone have any recommendations on what’d be a better choice: Rudy Wingspan vs. Giro Air Attack?
What gearing is everyone planning on using for St George? I’m planning to stick with my 23-11 and 53/39, possibly the 25. From what I’ve heard, while long, the ascents aren’t super steep. Anyone with previous years experience?
If you’re in the 60-64 AG go 11/23 
but if not I say 25 or 28.
My strong younger friends went 53/39 and 28 last year. You can go 25 but it you might feel it on the run.
What gearing is everyone planning on using for St George? I’m planning to stick with my 23-11 and 53/39, possibly the 25. From what I’ve heard, while long, the ascents aren’t super steep. Anyone with previous years experience?
Unless you’re super strong the 39x23 will be really tough at the top of snow canyon where the grade gets up around 10% for a bit. It’s not a crazy grade - totally doable if you don’t mind riding at low cadence and muscling the climb - but it is steep enough to want shorter gearing. I don’t recommend the 23.
Here’s the ride I did last year (http://www.strava.com/activities/52365903). I would’ve been running a standard double (53/39) and a 12-27 cassette. If I went back I’d use the same gearing, but would push the hills more than I did.
On a similar note… anyone have any recommendations on what’d be a better choice: Rudy Wingspan vs. Giro Air Attack?
Whichever is faster for you, so probably the Wingspan. Ventilation shouldn’t be an issue and it’s fairly easy to stay in aero for 99% of the course.
I’d run the 11/28
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Yeah, that’s what I’m bringing: mid-compact 52/36 with the 28 in the back. Granted, not very sexy, but after riding a portion of the course a few weeks back on a rental bike I was happy it had a 28. I can imagine Snow Canyon park towards the end of the ride…it’s starting to get warm… I’m passing the last parking spots on the left and still no sign of the incoming ranger toll shack…and this hill feels like the Mur de Grammont. I think at that point I’ll be grateful for the 28.
Refs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyi9q4QGYs
http://www.wunderground.com/weather-forecast/zmw:84791.3.99999
39-54 up front. 11-28 out back. This will be my 4th helping at St.G.
Granny gear for the climbs and 54 so as not to out run my gearing. These descents are fast. Next year I’ll try a 55 up front.
39-54 up front. 11-28 out back. This will be my 4th helping at St.G.
Granny gear for the climbs and 54 so as not to out run my gearing. These descents are fast. Next year I’ll try a 55 up front.
This. Otherwise you have to push well beyond FTP on the hills. Hammer descents. You’ll enjoy the 50+mph ride.
You CAN ride the course with a 39 - 23, but that’s going to be a lot of work.
I did 39/25 the first year’s full, but switched to a 52/38 with an 11/28 rear the next year.
That’s what I’ve used for St. George ever since. It made a huge difference.
The 52/11 is fine for the descents, the only place you can spin out on it is on the descent from the top of Snow Canyon on 18. And, it’s still better than a 53/12
I rode the course four weeks ago - 50/34 with 11/25 in the rear (I’m a neophyte).
I came home and got an 11/28 most riki-tiki. The very top of Snow Canyon caused me to become very intererested in a granny-er gear : )
jim p.
39x25 for me again this year. Yes, the top of Snow Cyn is tough. A 27 or 28 might be nice too.
Appreciate the responses. Looks like it’s gonna be 28-11 and 53/39.
Do recommend 11/28 for a strong cyclist? For someone with a power to weight Ironman ratio of 3.5+ what would you recommend?
Do recommend 11/28 for a strong cyclist? For someone with a power to weight Ironman ratio of 3.5+ what would you recommend?
Help me out. What is your ftp and weight?
Haven’t tested FTP in awhile, but probably around 260watts. 138 lbs.
Do recommend 11/28 for a strong cyclist? For someone with a power to weight Ironman ratio of 3.5+ what would you recommend?
Yes, last year I went into SG with a FTP of 4.6 w/kg and I had a 54/42 and 11/25 combo… I got my ass handed to me on snow canyon… for the last 2 miles that seemed to go on forever… I was seriously grinding standing and sitting at about 30 to 50 rpm… my fitness is at 5 w/kg now, but I’m going to use a 11/28 on the course for easier spinning, and if I need to stand… I’ll still have gears.
Haven’t tested FTP in awhile, but probably around 260watts. 138 lbs.
I’m the same weight as you, but you have higher power. In January my LT2 (Lactate Threshold) was 220 watts. Now, it’s probably ~240. Not sure if that test is equivalent to your FTP, but basically I’d say we’re close and you’re a little stronger.
I think lower gearing is the right choice for the course (I’m doing the 38/28 as I mentioned above).
If you plan on spending time out of the saddle you could go with a 25 maybe. I plan on trying to stay in the saddle and keep my heart rate as low as possible while still holding a descent pace (top of zone 2/bottom of 3).
Do recommend 11/28 for a strong cyclist? For someone with a power to weight Ironman ratio of 3.5+ what would you recommend?
Yes. To the best of your ability, you want to dictate your cadence. Even with a 28, you will still have sections that you will have to stand and/or grind a bit.
Also, the last 10-11 mile downhill section: Last year we had a tail-tail cross where you could go fast on low power. This year, it’s looking like we will have a head/head-cross. The back half of the course will be very challenging, so don’t make it any harder than it needs to be with poor gear choice.
Slight tangent, but on the topic of gear - do people recommend running a disc/wheel cover at St. George 70.3? The climbing isn’t the concern for me, its more the potential for strong winds and gusts.
I’m fairly light at 150 pounds. I’m not a super strong rider, expect to average about 20 mph or a little under. I’ve used a wheel cover on my 404s in winds up to about 20 mph but know from experience that Utah deserts can gust much higher. Not sure about the risk/reward.
Thanks for the input.