Originally Posted by
Bethany1
After getting my Salsa Fargo I realized the gear ratios are really different from my Madone and it's taken some getting used too. It almost seems like the small and middle gear just pedal in circles regardless of shift changes like I don't need them. I've spent most of my riding in the top ring even going up hills. Is that normal?
According to Salsa's website, I have a Shimano HG-50 9 speed 11-34T and the chainrings are 26-36-48.
I'm not sure what my Madone's gears are. Trek only shows the 2012 model.
So you find that you go up hills in really high gears? Have you ever thought about what kind of cadence you ride at? Maybe you have been pushing the pedals too hard (mashing). The advantage of spinning the pedals faster is that your legs will get less tired and so you can often go a lot further. It also strengthens your cardiovascular system. Because I am not a strong person I never could really mash my way up hills or on the flats. Instead I spin those pedals fast, without pushing on them significantly.
Of course, YMMV.
I also have the same Madone you have. The gearing is road gearing and does not have the really low gears that my Cannondale Quick hybrid has.
Trek Madone 4.7 WSD
Cannondale Quick4
1969 Schwinn Collegiate, original owner
Terry Classic
Richard Feynman: “The first principle is that you must not fool yourself and you are the easiest person to fool.”