I’ve always ridden on a 42 front with 650 wheels. But I’ve been taking informal notice that I seem to be about the only person in my area riding on a 42! Everyone seems to be on a 39 or smaller, regardless of wheel size, even the roadies. Never gave it much thought really, just always rode on a 42.
VERY hilly, with short-med length severely steep hills around here. I ride a 11-23 in back.
Curious to find what everyone else rides - please tell me the following:
Rolling to Hilly, but I can ride flat too if I ride out far enough. Normally run 11/23; 12/21 during a race on a flat course. Will run the 12/21 at IMF in November. Used 11/25 at LP this year.
I ride 54-42 front with 650 wheels on a Softride FasTT and I’m just west of DC (everything from flats and rolling to hilly, and mountains on Skyline). Doing IMFL in Nov (FLAT!!), coached by Olaf (who is excellent by the way), and it’s all about the monster mash!
I ride a 53/42 on flatlands with an 11-21 10sp rear, 700c. Since I’m a spinner that means I can hit 30mph+ easily without touching the big ring. On hills I use a 39 with 11-23 or 12-25. The gear ratios are closer with the small chainring, so I see no good reason to use the big one.
I like the 53/42 because the jump from big to little is closer to a single cog change on the freewheel. With 53/39, I have to shift up one in back when I go from big to little to keep a constant cadence.
G- what was your shifting like with a 55/39? Any problems?
Wouldn’t know, didn’t use it…
Actually no problem at all, I had bar end shifting so I could be a little careful with it. The main thing is to make sure you are mid-cassette when you make the move to the small ring. If you get yourself up at the top of the cassette then try to bail… then when I drop it.
In my last season, when I was fit, I’d leave it in the 55-19 for short rollers.
55/39 on 650c Powerwing- Shifts up fine(pin& ramps) & while training, I’ve thrown a chain twice down shifting during races. LBS mechanic says the 16 tooth jump combined with the very short 650c chains stays is the issue. After reading Slowman’s article on compacts I may replace the rear derailer with a triple chain ring version to control the tension better.
I’m on a 50-34 compact in front, 12-27 in back on 700c wheels on my road bike.
Tri bike is 53-39, 12-27 with 700c
live in northern CA with very steep winding roads with crappy pavement. And I like exploring backroads on dirt. the 34-27 is nice on dirt steep enough where you can’t stand for loss of traction.
