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Post by grenoblet5a on Apr 25, 2014 20:42:38 GMT
Will do . Thanks all for advice and encouragement!
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Post by grenoblet5a on Jun 2, 2014 14:51:05 GMT
:PThose hills are getting longer. Managed to get rid of a sore hip and now unwelcome return for aching back - should have started this game years ago...
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panda
Domestique
Posts: 395
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Post by panda on Jun 4, 2014 13:51:10 GMT
I have the 28 cassette and I like for two reasons; I like to keep a high cadence, which it helps me with and even if I don't use it, I like to have a 'bail out gear'. So, just as a lot of this advice says, a lot of it is psychological. Get the lower gear and you may hardly ever use it, but it is always there.
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Post by grenoblet5a on Jun 4, 2014 14:11:57 GMT
I think you are spot on with the psychological aspect. I spend a lot of time climbing on the granny and 25 which makes it depressing to look down and see there is nowhere else to go. A 28 would at least make me feel I wasn't using the last available, until I was again of course. However, the opinion amongst my friends here is split, for example see the ride below from Monday, Removed www.strava.com/activities/148512243The climb bit I did in 1h23 was done by my 2 buddies in 1h and 1h03 but they have been at this a while. One says I need a 28 and the other says I don't. Decisions, decisions. PS but apparently, and they both agreed, I DO need to buy a bib shorts cos my padded shorts are for mountain bikers!
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panda
Domestique
Posts: 395
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Post by panda on Jun 4, 2014 16:34:22 GMT
Big climb, chapeau to you! A 28 doesn't cost much, and you won't lose any useful gear ratios, so go for it I say. And they are probably right about the bib shorts.
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Post by chiban3 on Jun 4, 2014 18:25:10 GMT
Know exactly that feeling you mean when you've exhausted your gear options, but is it a case of I can't physically push this round anymore, or just I'm bored of pushing this and going nowhere fast, which is the reality of using the granny ring. In my case I actually think it was the latter, particularly when riding with others who are quicker.
One thing I am doing better this year, is planning my changes down and making them sooner, so that I'm pedalling easier and keeping momentum, rather than mashing to keep pace with others I'm riding with and then dying off, quickly. The reality is they're going to wait at the top anyway, so let them go ahead at the beginning, sit up, hands on tops and just focus on spinning your legs, albeit for a long time, you're getting up there.
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Post by ukdaws on Jun 4, 2014 19:21:16 GMT
Try a 28 and see how you get on,it isnt expensive and very easy to fit.If you only use it for the start of the season and swap back to a 25 when the fitness gets up there.And throw it back on again next year. Or you might love it and keep it on! Give it a go.
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Post by grenoblet5a on Jun 5, 2014 8:50:05 GMT
OK I'm gonna order one and one of the boys is going to fit it for me . Can anyone confirm that the SRAM pg850 mentioned earlier is gonna fit please? Cheers. Edit. Looks like it's 8 spd and my current is 9, looking for another option... Looks like an HG80 from wiggle at 26.99
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Post by ukdaws on Jun 5, 2014 10:43:47 GMT
No it wont buddy!!You need a 9 speed one.
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Post by ukdaws on Jun 5, 2014 10:47:17 GMT
One of these or similar, 9 speed cassetteHave not looked for the cheapest before i get blazed!!!!!
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Post by grenoblet5a on Jun 5, 2014 11:04:16 GMT
Thanks for the info and the link.
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Post by Radchenister on Jun 5, 2014 11:14:14 GMT
Always start at Chain Reaction - Wiggle are floating on the stock market, so I'm not too interested shopping there any more if avoidable (customers second, investors first IMHO): www.chainreactioncycles.com/s?q=pg950
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Post by Paulinblack on Jun 7, 2014 9:27:35 GMT
Interesting reading through all of this. I'm not sure how to quickly conquer the problem I have. It would appear that no matter what tactic you employ, when you are trying to drag 20 stone up a hill its gonna be hard! Even when you get the granny ring out you are going to end up mashing rather than spinning.
Hit some unexpected hills on a route I did last week. My lungs were burning, my legs swelling to popping point and heart trying to rip through my chest! All I could do was get onto the granny ring, stand up on the pedals and spin then mash my way through the lowest gear.
It really scared me to be honest. I felt great, once I had spent a few mins gulping in air and recovering by continuing to cycle in a low gear at the top of the hill. I felt I'd achieved something, but it scares me that I might have to do it again sometime!
I know in reality that my legs and lungs will get stronger and my power output increase. This will be complemented by gradual weight loss and less effort required to propel me. But I wish it could happen overnight rather than having to work on it for months or maybe years!
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Post by ChrisD on Jun 7, 2014 10:09:00 GMT
Interesting reading through all of this. I'm not sure how to quickly conquer the problem I have. It would appear that no matter what tactic you employ, when you are trying to drag 20 stone up a hill its gonna be hard! Even when you get the granny ring out you are going to end up mashing rather than spinning. Hit some unexpected hills on a route I did last week. My lungs were burning, my legs swelling to popping point and heart trying to rip through my chest! All I could do was get onto the granny ring, stand up on the pedals and spin then mash my way through the lowest gear. It really scared me to be honest. I felt great, once I had spent a few mins gulping in air and recovering by continuing to cycle in a low gear at the top of the hill. I felt I'd achieved something, but it scares me that I might have to do it again sometime! I know in reality that my legs and lungs will get stronger and my power output increase. This will be complemented by gradual weight loss and less effort required to propel me. But I wish it could happen overnight rather than having to work on it for months or maybe years! I hear you there Paulinblack! There are circumstances in which any discussion of components, drivetrains and climbing styles just become subsidiary to the cold hard fact that the biggest gains (though I should probably say losses) are to be had from the rider rather than the bike! Stick with it fella!!
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Post by ukdaws on Jun 7, 2014 10:25:35 GMT
Interesting reading through all of this. I'm not sure how to quickly conquer the problem I have. It would appear that no matter what tactic you employ, when you are trying to drag 20 stone up a hill its gonna be hard! Even when you get the granny ring out you are going to end up mashing rather than spinning. Hit some unexpected hills on a route I did last week. My lungs were burning, my legs swelling to popping point and heart trying to rip through my chest! All I could do was get onto the granny ring, stand up on the pedals and spin then mash my way through the lowest gear. It really scared me to be honest. I felt great, once I had spent a few mins gulping in air and recovering by continuing to cycle in a low gear at the top of the hill. I felt I'd achieved something, but it scares me that I might have to do it again sometime! I know in reality that my legs and lungs will get stronger and my power output increase. This will be complemented by gradual weight loss and less effort required to propel me. But I wish it could happen overnight rather than having to work on it for months or maybe years! The more you ride the easier it gets The more you climb the easier it gets Dont expect a quick transfomation into the new Froome, also do not over do it so you feel riding is a drag and loose interest.
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