Zwift Chat

[<Tommy>]

Sticking with the 28 boys. Having ridden some long climbs in the past I know it's about maintaining a rhythm and sometimes grinding it out. The drop from 28 to 32 is handy in U.K. With short punchy 16% plus, as you guys had at the weekend, but Ventoux isn't like that. It's 10-14% and no sudden ramps so hoping 28 will suffice. In fact on last Alps trip I only used 28 when desperate and Cadence dropped to 60ish. I will be doing a lot of Watopia in the weeks to come but really hoping the RGT Ventoux beta comes out- that should tell me if 28 is low enough.

I'd stick with the 28 too but it's personal preference obviously. For me I find it easier to find a comfy rhythm with smaller jumps between cogs. Ideally I'd have a climbing cassette that had no 11,12,14 and maybe had a 26 or 27 and 30+

It's a shame the big manufacturers don't let you create your own cassette ratios from scratch. I know it's complicated by the way they build the blocks but still it'd be very handy to get rid of some of the smaller cogs for hilly days.

 

[theboxers]

I'd stick with the 28 too but it's personal preference obviously. For me I find it easier to find a comfy rhythm with smaller jumps between cogs. Ideally I'd have a climbing cassette that had no 11,12,14 and maybe had a 26 or 27 and 30+

It's a shame the big manufacturers don't let you create your own cassette ratios from scratch. I know it's complicated by the way they build the blocks but still it'd be very handy to get rid of some of the smaller cogs for hilly days.

There is a junior cassette by Shimano 14-28 ultegra 11 spd. 14 to 21 then 23, 25 and 28. Pair that with a suitable crankset and spin away. The issue with this is that although they are good and close on a single chainring, when moving to the big or little there needs to be a big swing of cogs on the back to get back to something just above or below what you were in.

Edit just found a 16-27 10 spd ultegra cs6600 as well 16-23 / 25 / 27

 

[<Tommy>]

There is a junior cassette by Shimano 14-28 ultegra 11 spd. 14 to 21 then 23, 25 and 28. Pair that with a suitable crankset and spin away. The issue with this is that although they are good and close on a single chainring, when moving to the big or little there needs to be a big swing of cogs on the back to get back to something just above or below what you were in.

Edit just found a 16-27 10 spd ultegra cs6600 as well 16-23 / 25 / 27

Wow TB I had no idea about the 14-28. That's definitely a good option. I'd still personally prefer 26 or 27 and then something 30+ rather than 14 through to 20. Specifically for rides like the DD. But it's really nice to see a cassette that doesn't have 11,12 or 13. Nice find

 

[bobinski]

Wow TB I had no idea about the 14-28. That's definitely a good option. I'd still personally prefer 26 or 27 and then something 30+ rather than 14 through to 20. Specifically for rides like the DD. But it's really nice to see a cassette that doesn't have 11,12 or 13. Nice find

Don't campag do a 13- 29? Seems ideal for all but the steepest inclines

 

[<Tommy>]

Don't campag do a 13- 29? Seems ideal for all but the steepest inclines

Yeah the 29 does look good. But you can't use campag on a shimano/sram freehub unfortunately as the are grooves are different.

 

[Whorty]

But doesn't he have a TUE from his Doctor?

Exactly ... I have a doctors note Struggling to walk about at the moment without getting out of breath so could be some time before I get back on the bike for heavy rides.

 

[bobinski]

I did a rlr some short steepish climbs today and the 28 was fine. My legs though....

 

[CXRAndy]

You will need circa 2 hours for each side of Ventoux Bob, as long as cadence is comfortable.

 

[bobinski]

You will need circa 2 hours for each side of Ventoux Bob, as long as cadence is comfortable.

Andy, my ITB and knee are much improved but I don't think I have sufficient time to achieve the level of fitness and stamina to get near the cingles. I only have 4 weeks.
Funny moment today. I was riding a local climb, Star Lane, and I sensed someone behind me who then buried himself to get past just before the top, barely able to breathe but trying to talk to me. I let him go even though I had a bit in the tank but being careful. Turned out he is doing cingles in 2 weeks and had ridden star lane 16 times last weekend! Anyway, he put my prep into perspective.

 

[MasterDabber]

Tempted to sign up for these from mid June after I have got Ventoux out the way. Need to work on 1hour plus uphill struggles for next 3 1/2 weeks

I've got my "biggy" coming up in a couple of weeks - the Tourmalet. I decided to try and play safe... 50/34 up front and I changed the rear from 11/28 to 11/32. Whilst I think I would probably got away with continuing with my Ultegra short cage RD I decided to play it safe (again) and put on the GS RD. Really pleased with it tbh, the changing is very sweet. I crawled up a cat 3 climb today peaking out at around 16% on my Garmin and I felt a lot more under control than when I did it back in March with the 11/28 (no meandering).

 

[CXRAndy]

Andy, my ITB and knee are much improved but I don't think I have sufficient time to achieve the level of fitness and stamina to get near the cingles. I only have 4 weeks.
Funny moment today. I was riding a local climb, Star Lane, and I sensed someone behind me who then buried himself to get past just before the top, barely able to breathe but trying to talk to me. I let him go even though I had a bit in the tank but being careful. Turned out he is doing cingles in 2 weeks and had ridden star lane 16 times last weekend! Anyway, he put my prep into perspective.

Was he a big fella like me? We always puff and blow up hills

 

[bobinski]

Was he a big fella like me? We always puff and blow up hills

Nah, I think lighter than me.

The mate is was riding with is a triathlete and weighs 64 kilos! I beat him up every climb. But he did run a 1/2 marathon 4 days ago, did a velodrome session last night and swam a km this morning. Then the fecker had the audacity to go for a run after today's ride He is up for the cingles!

 

[Monte]

Exactly ... I have a doctors note Struggling to walk about at the moment without getting out of breath so could be some time before I get back on the bike for heavy rides.

@Whorty - I've been really ill (nearly 4 weeks) initially diagnosed as a viral infection and told my body needs to fight the virus, ended up in hospital having a chest x-ray today and now on antibiotics.

Hopefully back in zwift land next week, although will be very steady for a few weeks.

 

[Breedon]

@Whorty - I've been really ill (nearly 4 weeks) initially diagnosed as a viral infection and told my body needs to fight the virus, ended up in hospital having a chest x-ray today and now on antibiotics.

Hopefully back in zwift land next week, although will be very steady for a few weeks.

Cricky get well soon Monte

 

[Whorty]

@Whorty - I've been really ill (nearly 4 weeks) initially diagnosed as a viral infection and told my body needs to fight the virus, ended up in hospital having a chest x-ray today and now on antibiotics.

Hopefully back in zwift land next week, although will be very steady for a few weeks.

Wow, not good @Monte . Hope you get well soon. It's really frustrating seeing the bike in the pain cave and not being able to use it. Hope your x-ray comes clear, and the antibiotics clear up the virus.