GRX Chainset with 105 R7000

[SteveParry]

I guess that's a Spa Audax bike? I test rode their 54cm Elan a few weeks back and like it. The test/demo bike (on sale in their Demo range online now) had an Ultegra 50/34 crank and RD/FD. I discussed a possible spec for an Elan for myself. I ride half the time on cycle paths/towpaths poor roads. They suggested the 11 speed GRX 46/30 crank with RD and FD but 105 versions would work too. I'm used to a 50/34 Campag Centaur 10 speed crank on my Pearson Audax. The Elan seems like a good idea for a so-called 'all-road' bike especially as it was designed as a light tourer/audax. But I worry which chainring I'd use on ordinary roads... I'm a slow, heavy rider - would it be the 46 or the 30 tooth? Would I need to change from inner to outer ring constantly to find the right ratio on the flat? Do you stay on the 46 on roads and switch to the 30 on paths etc? I wondered what your experience was?

 

[Webbo2]

Do you not swop between the chain rings on your current bike. I would imagine that on the flat you’d be on the 46 given the range of the 11 speed cassette. It’s not rocket science.

 

[Dogtrousers]

But I worry which chainring I'd use on ordinary roads... I'm a slow, heavy rider - would it be the 46 or the 30 tooth? Would I need to change from inner to outer ring constantly to find the right ratio on the flat? Do you stay on the 46 on roads and switch to the 30 on paths etc? I wondered what your experience was?

Yes it's a Spa Audax. I took am a slow and heavy rider. I only ride on roads (with rare exceptions).

It really depends whether it's flat or uphill, and if the latter how steep. On the flat, mainly the bigger of the two rings. Uphill mainly the smaller. There's sufficient overlap that I don't change often. If it's downhill it doesn't matter as I'll be freewheeling.

I think fitting the subcompact has made me slower, because I'm lazy and gravitate to the lower gears. Or is it the other way round, and I need the gears because I'm getting slower? It's hard to distinguish cause and effect.