Thinking of moving back to 53/39 from 50/34

[Andywinds]

Logical fallacy. Let's say you ride at 25mph avge on the flat with your current gearing. A 53t ring is not going to help you ride any faster. The limiter for most riders is their sustainable aerobic power, not their gearing.

Do you know there are some people that can produce different power ratings at different RPM's and for difference durations? What if, God forbid, I like running slower RPM's and more torque than others??? (Hand to mouth moment!!!)

 

[Andywinds]

Since Power meters have become easily available, I work with Power primarily. I tend to go with a low Cadence, high torque bias where possible.

I'm with you buddy. Too many quotes based on this 100 rpm, what speed you can do chat!!

 

[S-Express]

Do you know there are some people that can produce different power ratings at different RPM's and for difference durations? What if, God forbid, I like running slower RPM's and more torque than others??? (Hand to mouth moment!!!)

None of what you just said contradicts my post above.

But let's go with this though - if you were riding at 25mph on the flat, what would be your ideal/preferred cadence?

 

[Racing roadkill]

Do you know there are some people that can produce different power ratings at different RPM's and for difference durations? What if, God forbid, I like running slower RPM's and more torque than others??? (Hand to mouth moment!!!)

Heresy.

 

[Andywinds]

None of what you just said contradicts my post above.

But let's go with this though - if you were riding at 25mph on the flat, what would be your ideal/preferred cadence?

I've never properly recorded my cadence as I don't have the sensor. But what I will say is that I do miss the 53t chainring and feel that the 34t is a big jump from the 50t.

 

[S-Express]

I've never properly recorded my cadence as I don't have the sensor.

You don't need a sensor - you can just count, it doesn't need to be exact. Either way, the point I was getting to was that unless you are riding at 25mph and you are already in 50/12 (which would give you a cadence of around 80rpm) then a 53t ring is not going to help - unless you want to go lower than 80rpm.

 

[Racing roadkill]

I've never properly recorded my cadence as I don't have the sensor. But what I will say is that I do miss the 53t chainring and feel that the 34t is a big jump from the 50t.

34 is the everymans small ring. It works well for someone who's not really ridden road bikes, and it's okay for the more experienced riders too. 52-36 is a nice compromise.

 

[Venod]

I have just acquired a bike to use on the turbo its got a carbon chainset with 52/39 rings and a 12 - 25 cassette just been out in the wind on it, to keep to my usual cadence I had to use the small ring more than I am used to, I tend to be on the 50 most of the time on the compact, mid cassette, the 52 was too low rpm for me, but its what you get used to and what works for you..

 

[Lozz360]

I'm with you buddy. Too many quotes based on this 100 rpm, what speed you can do chat!!

Maybe because you said,

The only problem for me is that I would be spinning more on the flats.

 

[HLaB]

You're talking the low gears, I assume you're happy with a 50t. A lot depends on your terrain I guess. Ironically I had a 50/34, found the 34 useless in my area and swapped it for a 40 which I found perfect for the rolling terrain of Northants and flats areas of the fens.
At my peak I realised the 50 was holding me back so opted to a 53/39 on my latest bike. That was fine...then I caught TB, lost fitness and now wis he'd I had the versatility of a compact again. Can't win can you ?

It sounds like you could try a larger small ring, the options are plentiful...and relatively cheap.

If you spin a lot I wouldn't say the 34t is completely useless round here but I was finding that I was too comfortable with the 34t and have just got my self a new semi compact. Its the new 4 bolt type so hopefully I've got the versatility to convert to a standard or a compact. I hope you are getting/got back to good health.

 

[Andywinds]

After some climbs over the last few days, I've decided to hold onto the 50/34 combo. I'm still having to use 1/2/3 in some of the longer hillier climbs. Thanks all for the advice.