Please Sir, Can I have a Big Ring :-)

[Zoiders]

Given that this is a Commuting forum it would seem unlikely that sprinting is the OP's problem, he seemed to be complaining about being generally geared too low. Changing a 50 for a 53 makes a difference, certainly not a big one - going to 12 or 11 sprocket makes more difference to the top end. What makes a bigger difference to usability is the 42 on the middle - it enables you to stay cruising on the middle a lot longer. In my experience a 50-39-30 triple is a waste of time, using a 53-42-30 enables you to get the full benefit of whichever cassette you use. One of the downsides of this forum is that if anyone offers any useful advice they'll be someone along to try and pick holes in it. Read Mickle's post - he's offered an alternative and challenging view in a positive and helpful way.

The OP mentioned sprinting and I was just being honest.

 

[Origamist]

The OP is a far better man than me if he wants more top-end than 50/12 when sprinting on the flat! I'd work on upping your cadence, Gaz.

 

[Aperitif]

The OP is a far better man than me if he's wants more top-end than 50/12 when sprinting on the flat! I'd work on upping your cadence, Gaz.

I tried it once - not man enough either. Maybe change the bike to a Caad ence Gaz?
Happy New Year Matt.

 

[GrasB]

gb155, why doesn't the 50t cut the mustard for you?

I personally prefer a 42/54 combo for a road double though I'll typically run with a 12-23 on the higher tooth count chainring & a 11-21 on the lower tooth count chainring setup. The reason I like the 42/53 combo is that it has a slightly lower top gear but a slightly better gear bunching in the middle of the top chainring.

 

[ColinJ]

I personally prefer a 42/54 combo for a road double though I'll typically run with a 12-23 on the higher tooth count chainring & a 11-21 on the lower tooth count chainring setup. The reason I like the 42/53 combo is that it has a slightly lower top gear but a slightly better gear bunching in the middle of the top chainring.

Ah but you live Nr Cambridge which as far as I know, is pretty flat, whereas Gaz lives Manchester-ish in the foothills of t'Pennines which aren't!

 

[GrasB]

Opps missed a bit

I personally prefer a 42/54 combo to a 39/53 for a road double...

missing text in italics.



CollinJ, yeah but on my 42/54 combo & an 11-28 cassette I climbed & descended with the best of them on my alpine climbing camp.

 

[ColinJ]

CollinJ, yeah but on my 42/54 combo & an 11-28 cassette I climbed & descended with the best of them on my alpine climbing camp.

Fair dos!

I have suffered the ignominy of having Gaz lose over 25 stone in the time it took me to gain 2 so I am now having to use a 30/28 bottom gear!

When I'm fit, I can get up most things on 39/28 but I prefer to use lower gears and spin on the steep stuff.

 

[GrasB]

CollinJ, yeah but on my 42/54 combo & an 11-28 cassette I climbed & descended with the best of them on my alpine climbing camp.

Fair dos!

I have suffered the ignominy of having Gaz lose over 25 stone in the time it took me to gain 2 so I am now having to use a 30/28 bottom gear!

When I'm fit, I can get up most things on 39/28 but I prefer to use lower gears and spin on the steep stuff.

I know what you mean, I can grind or spin my way up a hill. For climbing I prefer a compact 34/52 with a 11-26. Anyway take consolation that being a powerhouse has its own disadvantages at full tilt climbing up a 8% gradient this happened coming home today...

 

[ColinJ]

I know what you mean, I can grind or spin my way up a hill. For climbing I prefer a compact 34/52 with a 11-26. Anyway take consolation that being a powerhouse has its own disadvantages at full tilt climbing up a 8% gradient this happened coming home today...
[attachment=2031:Zero Fail.jpg]

Was it painful (sudden violent 'nads-top-tube impact)?

 

[GrasB]

It went on the upstroke so I was unceremoniously dumped on the tarmac shoulder first at something over 13mph. My shoulder is really stiff today & I have some serious bruising on my shoulder, hip & thigh.

 

[ColinJ]

It went on the upstroke so I was unceremoniously dumped on the tarmac shoulder first at something over 13mph. My shoulder is really stiff today & I have some serious bruising on my shoulder, hip & thigh.

Ouch! I hope it stops hurting soon.

On the subject of middle rings on triples... I swapped my 42 for a 39 because it meant I could do most of my riding on the middle ring. I can do well over 20 mph without too bad a chain angle, and can get up smaller hills without having to resort to the granny ring.

 

[fossyant]

Gaz a 50 x 11 should be more than enough. I use a 53 x 13 and if I can outspin that then its time to tuck in and get aero.

I'd work on cadence speed.

 

[ColinJ]

Gaz a 50 x 11 should be more than enough. I use a 53 x 13 and if I can outspin that then its time to tuck in and get aero.

I'd work on cadence speed.

Agreed.

The top gear on my Basso is 52/14 and I rarely find that a problem. Okay, I spin out on long downhills above about 35 mph, but I just get my head down and tuck my knees in. I'm soon going faster than I'd be able to pedal even if I had an extra couple of small sprockets.

 

[GrasB]

I like my top gear to be a bit higher than you guys so I'm able to power through to circa 50mph @140rpm, but that maybe because I've not got any long descents around here so I have to take as much advantage as possible from the inclines I have.

 

[gb155]

Was in the big ring for most of my 9 miles this morning (up and down hill) so TBH I think a 53/39 at the front and a 23-11 at the back, like my Surosa was set up is better for me personally, I do like to use power more than cadence but I still average around 75RPM, I'd better get saving for a new crank AND Cassette.

Gaz