Which ring is for better cadence?

[Bethany1]

If I can do 10 mph in the biggest ring up front at 90 cadence and 10 mph in the second ring at 90 cadence, which is better? Does it depend on what you are doing?

For efficiency, I can see the 2nd ring working, but you'd spend forever getting there. However; you'd get there faster with the larger ring, do more work, but would't that save lots of time in the end so you wouldn't need to be so efficient?

Or is it more of a short distance/long distance thing?

[ny biker]

For me it's how much do my knees hurt and how much do my legs hurt and how much farther do I need to ride.

I only use the big ring for long flat stretches and even then it tends to bother my knee. At some point I will probably talk to the LBS about getting a smaller one so I can use it more without pain.

[OakLeaf]

I'm not quite sure what you're describing, but I'm assuming that you mean there's some overlap in your gearing, so that (just for example), in your big ring and second lowest rear cog you have a gear ratio that's very close to what you have in your small ring and fourth highest rear cog.

Since you're at the same cadence regardless, neither ring is "better for cadence." The gear that's better is the one that gives you a straighter chainline, which puts less lateral stress on the chain and less rubbing on the teeth. Look down at your chain and see which way is closer to parallel to your frame (not the chainstay, the main triangle).

[Eden]

If I can do 10 mph in the biggest ring up front at 90 cadence and 10 mph in the second ring at 90 cadence, which is better? Does it depend on what you are doing?

For efficiency, I can see the 2nd ring working, but you'd spend forever getting there. However; you'd get there faster with the larger ring, do more work, but would't that save lots of time in the end so you wouldn't need to be so efficient?

Or is it more of a short distance/long distance thing?

If you are going the same speed at the same cadence then you must be using the same gear ratio (so doing the exact same amount of work) via using a different gear on your rear cassette...... The only thing that would be "better" or "worse" about the use of one over the other would be the mechanical working of the bike- whether or not you are cross chained using one combination or the other.

[Jiffer]

I agree with the replies so far. However, another consideration is how much you want to exert yourself. In your scenario you mentioned being in the big ring, same cadence, but getting their faster. If the goal is go faster (a reasonable goal ), then go with the big ring. If the goal is to keep your heart rate in a certain range, while still spinning at a high cadence, then that is another consideration.

I have to keep my heart rate fairly low these days for health reasons, yet I'm trying to spin faster at the same time, so I'm constantly watching the HR, as well as cadence, as well as my speed . . . trying to determine which gear I need to be in to go the fastest while keeping my HR down and cadence high. It can be mentally exhausting!!!

[Dogmama]

Depends on terrain & weather as well. If you're going uphill, you may opt for the smaller chainring so that your knees are spared. Ditto if you're going into a headwind. Remember the phrase, "spin, spin,spin in the wind!"

In the end, it depends on the health of your knees, hips and lower back. If any of these start to bother you, it's a warning that you need to get into a more comfortable (easier) gear.

[shootingstar]

I've never cycled in my biggest ring --what for? I get enough of a workout and especially with a prairie headwind, you really don't need to be in a biggest ring or 2nd biggest ring, there's already a significant workout by pushing into the wind.

Watch your knees for pushing yourself too hard and especially too long on a much bigger ring. That's how beginners hurt themselves.

[lph]

I've never cycled in my biggest ring --what for?

.. for pedalling efficiently on flats, especially with a headwind, or on downhills. With the gear set-up on my bike, if I didn't use my biggest ring I'd have to stop pedalling and coast regularly, which gets me wherever I'm going slower. It's not necessarily for getting a better workout, or wrecking ones knees

[goldfinch]

I've never cycled in my biggest ring --what for? I get enough of a workout and especially with a prairie headwind, you really don't need to be in a biggest ring or 2nd biggest ring, there's already a significant workout by pushing into the wind.

Watch your knees for pushing yourself too hard and especially too long on a much bigger ring. That's how beginners hurt themselves.

Only on the downhill do I use the biggest ring on the bike with the triple. And often even then I use the middle ring. I can go for weeks without using the big ring.

On my double I use the big ring more often, for some downhills or big tailwinds. Otherwise, I can spin up to around 19mph in the small ring. So, even with the double I don't use the big ring a lot.