What gear to be in?

[Soup890]

When cycling what gears do you use when cycling long distances?

For example, do you the larger chainring or smallest one for most journeys?

 

[downfader]

When cycling what gears do you use when cycling long distances?

For example, do you the larger chainring or smallest one for most journeys?

TBH it depends on the bike. My proper racing bike has "big boy gears" as Harmon says on Eurosport. That is 53/39 on the front, usually 12-25 on the rear (though currently sporting a 28 for the hills right now)

On my CX bikes tends to be just 50/34 "compact". Your legs get used to different chainsets. Most people are happier on that imo. Also by "longer" I would say 30 miles in one sitting...

 

[L14M]

I use a mix, usually get up to 25mph get cruising and put in a gear that means im not pushing hard but my legs are just spinning slowish

 

[screenman]

I use a mix, usually get up to 25mph get cruising and put in a gear that means im not pushing hard but my legs are just spinning slowish

Is that internet speed, if not you really should be in a team, top quality speed that.

 

[L14M]

Is that internet speed, if not you really should be in a team, top quality speed that.

Thats speed for inbetween London's traffic lights and on a flat, slower on climbs faster on decents etc. I get over taken all the time, i'm not that fast!

 

[ianrauk]

Everyone is different.

 

[screenman]

Thats speed for inbetween London's traffic lights and on a flat, slower on climbs faster on decents etc. I get over taken all the time, i'm not that fast!

Believe me that is fast.

 

[L14M]

Not really, I only get a average of 14mph on rides!

 

[young Ed]

Not really, I only get a average of 14mph on rides!

about anywhere between 10-12.5mph here in rural kent but you are on a racing bike and i'm on a heavy steel bike!
Cheers Ed

 

[young Ed]

i can get about 22 or 23 mph on the flats if i really push
not sure what teeth but gear 21 will be counting teeth soon
Cheers Ed

 

[4F]

Fixed gear, enough said.

 

[midliferider]

It depends on so many factors
What is long distance? What is long for you may not be that long for others.
How long do you intend to cycle for? Just one day or continuously for few days or weeks?
What kind of bike do you have, gear ratios etc.

What do you have in mind?

 

[Kookas]

Always find it easier to go fast in London. I remember getting totally lost and another cyclist happened to be going in the right direction. Must've averaged mid-20s for the mile or so I was following him.

 

[albion]

I'm now on two extremes.
I have been using the drop bar bike is 12-23 and I think 42-52 and find that slow controlled pedaling on hills, its perfectly fine for short 40 mile rides.
However I do steer clear of the longer 15% hills..

I'm of the conclusion it would be fine for a 100 miler if I know the route, otherwise my 22,32,42 with an 11-28 or 11-34 is a safer bet.

 

[derrick]

I just use the gear i need to be in.