how often do you ride in your big ring?

[SadieKate]

If you are looking for comparisons be sure that the gearing ratios are the same and you're looking at the same relative body position and terrain. I see quite a few riders in the big ring of a triple crankset using their largest cogs which is a no-no. Cross gearing is really hard on your drivetrain and leads to broken chains. The most important thing is that you ride in gears which you can drive at the proper cadance for the terrain and wind. I just started using aero bars because I'm doing a 10 mile TT every couple of weeks. I have suddenly found myself using the 50T big ring for large portions of the flat rides around my house because I can comfortably maintain a more aero position. Once I sit up or hit the hills I'm down in the middle to granny. In the mountains, I may never get out of the granny until I'm on a long downhill.

If you are doing wind sprints where you are working on max speed sprints in the shortest amount of time, yeah, you probably are going to be in the big chain ring most of the time. Serious race training programs will look at gearing this closely. If you're just looking at fitness and increasing distance, ride the gear that works for you.

SnappyPix has it right. Just keep fiddling and find the ratios that are right for you and change them with strength and fitness not because you "think" you should be in a certain gear.

[trigurl]

I have a triple and change a lot, going down hill I use the third ring and ride FAST, I complained about being dropped a lot and was told to ride in the third ring more, I did and my knees said I don't think so, they ached so bad, so now I only use it for downhills, I did get faster and wasn't dropped as bad and my thighs seem to have grown but I can't and don't have to deal with the knee pain, I am not racing this is supposed to be fun!

I read a post about butt's getting bigger a while back, I didn't have any problem until I started mashing in a harder gear, now mine definately has gotten bigger, but it was flat to begin with so I don't mind just gotta figure out how to keep it this way.

[Trekhawk]

[QUOTE=trigurl
I read a post about butt's getting bigger a while back, I didn't have any problem until I started mashing in a harder gear, now mine definately has gotten bigger, but it was flat to begin with so I don't mind just gotta figure out how to keep it this way. [/QUOTE]

I have a triple and Im pretty much always in the middle or granny gear. I use the granny on nearly all the hills around here and dream of the day when I will be able to graduate to the middle for the hills (dream on). I definitely do not need a bigger bum so can I use that as another excuse for not pushing a bigger gear.

[Kimred]

This is a quick usual for me.

Granny Gear - short steep hills

Middle chain - rolling hills

Tall chain - flats and going downhill Fast.

Just a guideline changes with wind,who I'm riding,if I'm working on endurance,speed,strength but you get the general idea.

[archibella]

wow-- thanks! I'm definitely going to try switching things up a bit this weekend, we'll see what happens! Oh-- and as a side note, I just got a pair of performance century short shorts (pretty comfy by the way), and some new sunglasses. You know how everybody always teases, 'oh, yea, new stuff will make you go so much faster! ha ha ha'; well... it did! On a 10-12 block little blast/sprint we usually do I hit 27 mph for the first time, 2 mph faster than usual. Maybe I need a new jersey to go with the shorts now....

[CorsairMac]

wow-- thanks! I'm definitely going to try switching things up a bit this weekend, we'll see what happens! Oh-- and as a side note, I just got a pair of performance century short shorts (pretty comfy by the way), and some new sunglasses. You know how everybody always teases, 'oh, yea, new stuff will make you go so much faster! ha ha ha'; well... it did! On a 10-12 block little blast/sprint we usually do I hit 27 mph for the first time, 2 mph faster than usual. Maybe I need a new jersey to go with the shorts now....

well yeah......should give ya another 2-3 mphs in speed I'm a-thinkin!