Gears for TdF

[lulubel]

Now, I know they use much bigger gears than many of us "mere mortals" (and here I'm specifically talking about people like myself who couldn't get up the Pyrenees if I put MTB gears on my road bike), but do the TdF riders change their gearing around depending on the terrain on each day's stage?

The reason I ask this question is because it occured to me today, doing one of my hilly rides, that I could - probably - manage most of the hills using similar gears to the ones I use on flatter rides (ie the top half of my gear range), but I'd be completed knackered and good for nothing for the next few days. So, bearing in mind the length of the TdF, it made me wonder if they vary their gears to get a balance between performance on individual days and overall endurance.

 

[HLaB]

I could be wrong but I think the run 40/53 doubles with a 11-23 on the back but when it gets really hilly their mechanics put 27's on the rear.

 

[raindog]

During the first week Hushovd was talking about 53/42 but it depends on the stage. In the mountains it's probably 39 or even 38.

 

[gavroche]

Now, I know they use much bigger gears than many of us "mere mortals" (and here I'm specifically talking about people like myself who couldn't get up the Pyrenees if I put MTB gears on my road bike), but do the TdF riders change their gearing around depending on the terrain on each day's stage?

The reason I ask this question is because it occured to me today, doing one of my hilly rides, that I could - probably - manage most of the hills using similar gears to the ones I use on flatter rides (ie the top half of my gear range), but I'd be completed knackered and good for nothing for the next few days. So, bearing in mind the length of the TdF, it made me wonder if they vary their gears to get a balance between performance on individual days and overall endurance.

in a nutshell, yes they do. Same as they do when they time trial. What gears they use I do not know.

 

[GrasB]

The SRAM 12-32 & 12-28 cassettes (the ones with the close spaced high end & wide set bottom end) were developed with one particular rider to help get better results in mountain TTs & on last years TdF some teams were running 52/36 chainrings in the mountains.

 

[lilolee]

Yes Cancellara, so I guess some others use a 38 on really steep days. Woosies

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Yes Cancellara, so I guess some others use a 38 on really steep days. Woosies

How long ago was it that the use of dérailleurs was thought wooosie

 

[brockers]

Worryingly for us mortals, the flyweight climbers will be able to get up most of the Pyrenean slopes in a bog-standard 39 ring and going between 15-19 at the back. Ultra bonkers climbs like l'Angliru and Zoncolan will see them going a bit more off-piste component wise and using 34 compact inners and 29 sprockets. Or 32 if using Sram.

 

[lilolee]

They also switch around with 11-23 - 12-25 and 12-27 and usually keep to 53 or 54 on the front so that they can hit those high speeds needed at the finish and going down off of the mountains.

 

[brockers]

The reason I ask this question is because it occured to me today, doing one of my hilly rides, that I could - probably - manage most of the hills using similar gears to the ones I use on flatter rides (ie the top half of my gear range), but I'd be completed knackered and good for nothing for the next few days.

But think positive: when you've recovered, you'd be able to do the same ride using a bigger gear than before. That's how this training lark works!

It doesn't get easier, you just go faster etc

 

[GrumpyGregry]

also bear in mind they use high end cassettes on which every cog can be changed independently of another. oh what fun the mechanics must have mixing and matching the ratios to a day's stage only to have a rider change their mind and make them change it back depending on how strong they feel.

 

[brockers]

also bear in mind they use high end cassettes on which every cog can be changed independently of another. oh what fun the mechanics must have mixing and matching the ratios to a day's stage only to have a rider change their mind and make them change it back depending on how strong they feel.

I was just about to question you on that, but just as I was about to post they showed footage of the mechanic lifting off the individual sprockets on ' Legends' on ITV4, so it seems you are right !!

They'll have trouble on the bigger sprox though, as they're mounted two to a carrier..

 

[monnet]

The mechanics have all kinds of tricks to come up with ratios that aren't likely to be found on every day bikes. The ratios the riders use vary massively according to the terrain, as you'd expect. At the back they'll usually have an 11 but the lowest can go from 21 right up dinner plate. I'm not sure about the Tour, but certainly in the Giro alot of riders have used compacts on the stages like the Zoncalan. Indurain even used a triple in the Tour one year to get over the Pyrenees (in th edays before the prevalence of compacts).


IN Paris-Roubaix the front pairing can be a 54-46, I've a feeling Hincapie used a 56 or 58 one year. Tom Simpson used to switch his around in the mountains so he could ride what looked like a bigger gear. ie: 50 outer so others would think 'wow! he's strong today, still in the big ring'. Sounds silly but the slightest bit of psychology counts.

 

[Saddle bum]

Custom made gear hangers are a new feature. Increase the distance between the hub spindle and gear hanger and you can use larger sprockets. Might try knocking up a couple to try out.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I was just about to question you on that, but just as I was about to post they showed footage of the mechanic lifting off the individual sprockets on ' Legends' on ITV4, so it seems you are right !!

They'll have trouble on the bigger sprox though, as they're mounted two to a carrier..

I've been told on more than one occasion that some of the rider have custom made cassettes, cogs, carriers etc., etc..