Question regarding Spinervals and gearing

[JudyN]

Hi -- I'm new to this site, in fact this is my first post. I just ordered the Spinervals DVD and I don't know how to do the gearing. I understand about the big ring and the small ring but when they say gear 15 or 12 (I feel dumb, but how do I know what gear it is). My bike is a Ruby Expert with a Double not triple chain ring and I'm using a fliud trainer. Thanks in advance.

Judy

[Veronica]

When Troy says 12 or 15 he's talking about your rear gears. When he says 12 he means your smallest ring (most resistance), 15 is about in the middle of your rear cluster. 21 is near the biggest ring in the rear (least resistance.)

V.

[JudyN]

Hi Veronica -- Thanks for you help. Is there a way to count the rings so you know which gear? When I'm cycling I do it by feel, not by number.

Judy

[Starfish]

If you wanted to count, it would be the teeth on the individual rings of the cassette in back. The smaller, outer ring would have maybe 11 or 12 teeth, while the biggest ring, closest to the spokes, might be 23, 25, 27 or whatever you have.

[Veronica]

You could always just look back at the rear cassette and see where you are. Troy's numbers are really kind of a guide only, because your gearing may not match up exactly with what he says.

V.

[JudyN]

Thanks for the info. it helped a lot. I did a short workout yesterday with the DVDs. I bought a 5 pack and one of them came with three 30 min workouts so I just started with a 30 min. workout. I really enjoyed it. One of the things that I have a question about is that he talks about cadence. My computer does not work because I'm on the trainer and nothing is happening with the front wheel. I have a wireless computer but it does have a wire if I want to have cadence work. My computer is a specialized computer. Is there a way to have this work or how do I get cadence for my spinning workout? Thanks for your help.

Judy

I'm planning to try one of the 90 min DVDs right now. Wish me luck!!!

[JudyN]

I love these Spinervals DVDs. I got a five series which is really tough and I'm not there yet but it is helping me improve so much I can't beleive it.

If you haven't tried these I would highly recommend it. I rode a hard ride today that I did last week which was 30 miles very aggressive hills, I improved 6 plus minutes and I know it is from the training I've been doing with the Spinervals DVDS. Anyway, I thought I'd share this, also I've lost 6 pounds in two weeks from my work outs (yeah!!!).

I love cycling.

Judy

[SadieKate]

Hi, Judy. First time I've seen this thread and no one has responded on your cadence question so I'll take a crack at it. You don't need a computer to tell you cadence. Just use a watch or stopwatch or clock -- anything with a second hand. Count the number of times one foot goes around in 15 secs. Multiply by 4.

However, read your computer manual. Typically, a cadence kit is set up on the crank and rear chain stay so it is using a magnet attached to the crank -- which is going around when you are on the trainer.

Personally, I think learning to gauge cadence without a computer is better because you learn to be in tune with your body, your bike and the terrain -- with your head up looking down the road. Once you've counted a few times using a secondhand, you'll know approximately what your cadence is. Of course, you may want a computer to measure it if you feel like you have to shout back at Evil Coach Troy an exact number. :p

Do a search for "Spinervals" on the forum and you'll find lots of discussion about the tapes.

[bikerz]

Hi Judy -

Another trick for cadence without a computer is to get some songs you like and compare the beat to your pedal revolutions. Then you might have a song that has a cadence of 80, one at 90, etc., and you can just sing them to yourself (or out-loud - what the heck - drown out Coach Troy!) and get a sense of where you are and where you want to be. I think if you search on "cadence" and "song" you might find those links.

* With the song technique, I have to remember to keep a good circle going with my pedals, and not let the beat lull me into "mashing".

Have fun!

[Starfish]

However, read your computer manual. Typically, a cadence kit is set up on the crank and rear chain stay so it is using a magnet attached to the crank -- which is going around when you are on the trainer.

Hi Judy...I have a Specialized computer with the cadence function. It is not wireless for the cadence function, so there is a wire from the computer running along the down tube to the chain stay on the left side of the bike (away from the chainrings). And, there is a magnet attached to the crank arm on that same side...just like SK described above.

Both the wire and the magnet are attached to the bike with zip-ties.

Edited to add: I have liked having the cadence function for awhile...I think it has helped me to recognize by feel what my rpms are, as a newer cyclist. But, I think next time I set up a new bike, I won't bother with cadence, unless it is wireless. I can tell by feel now, and it will be one less bit of wiring hanging off my bike.

[Veronica]

Since I hurt my knee, I've been using the cadence function instead of speed. If my cadence drops below 80, I go to an easier gear. It was the coach's suggestion, to make sure I kept the load light on my knee. It's been kind of liberating to not be focused on speed.

V.