Gear Question

[jlnc]

I started riding back in the spring on a 2011 Trek FX 7.5 (triple). For most of the spring and summer I have done beginner group rides that were mostly 15 miles in length, and we would average around 11-13 mph, depending on who showed up for the rides. Last week I moved up to a C group ride, which is about 19 miles long and I guess they average around 14-16 mph. I knew I was in trouble when I fell pretty far behind within the first few miles. I just couldn't keep up speed wise. I can do the distance, but not the speed...
My question has to do with gearing....at the beginning of the summer a leader in one of the beginner groups told me I really didn't need to use my big chain ring in the front, unless I was going down hill. For the most part, I stay in the middle chain ring, and occassionally used the smaller ring going up hills. On the C ride last week, I was in my middle chain ring in the front, and all the way up to the last gear in the back. I felt like no matter how hard I pedaled, I couldn't go fast enough to keep up with the pack. Should I move into the big chain ring on the flats, but keep it in a lower gear in the back? Or will this cause me to "mash" and burn out? Sorry for the lack of technical terminology...the whole gearing thing and ratios, etc confuses me a bit. Thanks for any advice!

[lph]

IMO you don't really need to understand gears much, you just need to think about what feels comfortable and efficient and shift to get there. If you feel that you're pedalling like crazy and not going fast enough, by all means shift to the biggest ring in front and see what it feels like. I usually shift down a notch or two in back at the same time so that the transition isn't that abrupt.
No reason to stay away from the big ring just because someone else doesn't like to use it much. If you can ride it, use it

[Grits]

I have heard the same thing too, but also can't keep up unless I am in the big ring. Do what you have to do. When you are riding by yourself you can practice pedaling at a higher cadence in your small ring.

[Roadtrip]

I ride in the big in the big chain ring when I need to... I don't avoid any particular gear. If for some reason my legs are achy and barking at me, I use a easier gear... If I want to test myself and sprint a little... I grab that extra gear and GO for it. They're isn't a right or wrong.

Good luck and keep with it!
Shannon

Ps. You didn't happen to mention what types of bikes the others in the C group were riding. A roadie with thinner tires is going to go faster then your FX at the same level of effort. Not that there is anything wrong with your bike, but you will work harder to match speeds, so take it easy on yourself and don't be afraid to use that big chain ring!

[jlnc]

Thanks for the feedback...guess I will give the big ring a try this week!
@Shannon, yes the other riders are on road bikes with skinny tires. I am used to being a little bit behind other riders in my groups, but this was a whole new level of getting dropped, lol...I lost sight of the nearest rider and got really frustrated (and exhausted). I am hoping to move to a road bike early next year.

[Velocivixen]

I use big chain ring in front for flats and down hills and sometimes even slight rolling hills. Remember that the changes with the chainrings in front will be big changes. The gears in the rear simply "fine tune" it. There is no right or wrong. I will say that I used to always coast downhill and sometimes get a little "wobbly" going too fast, so now I shift to a high gear (big chain ring front & smaller cog in back), and pedal downhill and I have more control of the bike and it's not wobbly! Seemed counter-intuitive at first, but it's true.

[Roadtrip]

I am hoping to move to a road bike early next year.

I think riding strong this year on your FX will make you a mch stronger rider when you do get that road bike.

[jlnc]

I hope so!!

[marni]

I live in houston which is flat flat flat- I ride almost exclusively in my big ring with the back derailleur somewhere in the middle. Because I have a bad knee, I tend to need a little bit or resistance to keep the knee stabilized. I tend to run through chains a bit more than some people because I am always in the big ring but I'd rather make progess than sit and spin chicken legs.

just saying- do what feels good to your knees and to your endurance.

marni

[pixiegloss]

I am new to this gig too and have been messing with my gears, trying new things since I started riding a few weeks ago. I live in Florida... also flat, flat, flat, so I've found I also spend about 95% of my time on the big ring in front (I still haven't learned the terminology either and it's way too early in the morning for new vocab right now).
My quicky advice on gearing would be to remember this: the bigger the rings, the further you will travel on each rotation of the crank (pedals), and the harder it will be to pedal... don't be afraid to move to that third ring in front and move down al ittle in back, then see how fast you go pedaling your heart out--I think you'll be amazed how easily you'll be able to stay with the pack! Good luck!

[jlnc]

Thanks for all the encouragement everyone, I will definitely give the big ring a try this week! It is fairly hilly around here, so I'll have to get used to shifting both the front and the rear to accommodate for the terrain. Although, I think on the 19 mile route, there are longer flat sections than I am used to.

[Roadtrip]

Just don't wait to shift... If going uphill you want to be able to ease off a little when changing gear... Doing so while under load (hammering up that hill) may leve you in a gear that you can't sustain. I had to learn that one the hard way

[jlnc]

Shannon, I think that is my concern...if I'm flying DOWN a hill in the big chain ring, but then getting ready to go UP another one....do I shift down in the front first, then start adjusting the back? Or vice versa?
I'm so confused!! lol

[Velocivixen]

@jlnc, it will depend on how much of a decrease you want. If you want pedaling up that hill to be A LOT easier quickly, shift down in the front (remember, those make the biggest differences), then adjust the back (more subtle changes). Hope that helps.

[jusdooit]

Change the rear first by about 2 or 3 gears followed immediately by a shift in the front. And as mentioned earlier, ease off the pressure on the pedals slightly when shifting. It does take a little practice so be patient.