53/39 to 50/34

[martint235]

I'm thinking of changing from a 53/39 to a 50/34 setup. I run a 25/11 cassette with 175mm cranks.

Now I can sprint a little bit but I'd say 80% of my sprinting is more about acceleration rather than flat out in 53/11. I'd say I'm better at climbing than sprinting and manage to grind out most hills.

My two year goals culminate in LEL 2013 and while I don't think I need to work on fitness (although feel free to tell me I haven't got a clue) but I think I may need to think about changing technique away from slow cadence to more of a spinning style to get through the distances day after day. So far the furthest I've ridden is 242 miles but I can't say I've done much consecutive days work.

Any thoughts?

 

[ianrauk]

Did you not used to run with a 50/30 setup?
You are a grinder though, always pushing high gears.

 

[martint235]

Did you not used to run with a 50/30 setup?
You are a grinder though, always pushing high gears.

I did until Aug 2010. I'm just wondering whether I'll miss the higher gears or whether lower gearing will help with the inevitable headwinds

 

[ianrauk]

I have never seen you use the 39 ring, even in strong headwinds...

 

[martint235]

I use it on hills, I always assumed that was what it was for!!!

 

[HLaB]

I think with a 50/34 I'd miss the top speed but the average may not suffer; my mate is a lot faster than me and up there with the fastest of folks and he has only ever ridden a compact. As to dropping to the 39, in strong winds its certainly better for me.

 

[Garz]

...the average may not suffer;

I am of mere average folk I'm afraid, however it depends on where you live or ride most. For example when your amongst the pennines I have rarely found sections that would warrant the higher gearing but have found plenty that warrant the 34.

 

[Svendo]

When I had a compact for the '08 etape, I had 50-36, which I didn't realise at the time. When I needed to replace the outer chainring and actually looked I got a 52 ring, giving what is apparently the original compact set up of 52-36. I found this very satisfactory with an 11-25 cassette for normal use. I think I had 11-27 or 28 for the etape.
I've gone back to 53-39 now, with 11-25 but have an 11-28 in reserve should I need it.

 

[tyred]

As a cyclist of average ability, I find little use for a 52 or 53 tooth ring tbh.

I have had a lot of old bikes through my hands and always note that in virtually all cases, the 39 or 42 inner ring will be worn away to basically nothing but the outer 52 ring will look like it just came of the production line, suggesting that it is too high for most people to spin comfortably.

 

[martint235]

As a cyclist of average ability, I find little use for a 52 or 53 tooth ring tbh.

I have had a lot of old bikes through my hands and always note that in virtually all cases, the 39 or 42 inner ring will be worn away to basically nothing but the outer 52 ring will look like it just came of the production line, suggesting that it is too high for most people to spin comfortably.

I'd say I'm on the 53 ring 80% of my cycling time but rarely in the 53/11 combo hence my thoughts on changing.