More on gearing.

[jimboalee]

So when i come to a hill i should now use a calculator+slide ruler and a laptop to see if i can climb it, instead of just chucking it in a high gear and spin

Surely you mean low?

Here's the short answer:-

Cadence-power-relationship during decisive mountain ascents at the Tour de France
Authors: S Vogt, K Roecker, Y O Schumacher, T Pottgiesser, H-H Dickhuth, A Schmid, L Heinrich
Readers: Mark Maritz
The aim of the study was to report the relationship between cadence and power developed by professional cyclists during high mountain ascents of the Tour de France. From the 10 cyclists (30 +/- 4 years, 178 +/- 8 cm, 69 +/- 6 kg) involved in the study, 108 ascents were recorded and analyzed using a mobile power measurement device (SRM Training Systems, Jülich, Germany). Based on topographic characteristics, the ascents were categorized into 1st and Hors Category (HC) climbs. During the ascents of the 1st Category climbs, power output averaged 312 +/- 43 W (4.5 +/- 0.6 W/kg) with a mean cadence of 73 +/- 6 rpm and a mean duration of 37 : 41 +/- 16 : 16 min. Power output averaged 294 +/- 36 W (4.3 +/- 0.6 W/kg) at a mean cadence of 70 +/- 6 rpm during 57 : 40 +/- 10 : 32 min on HC climbs. The maximal mean power for long durations (1800 s) showed a mean power output of 327 W and 346 W for the 1st and HC climbs, respectively. The evaluation of the cadence-power output and the distance per pedaling cycle-power output relationship shows that high power outputs are mainly yielded by higher pedaling cadences and higher gears.
International journal of sports medicine. 01/04/2008; 29(3):244-50.
ISSN: 0172-4622
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-965353
Extract from a technical paper evaluating cadence when climbing.

It doesn't really surprise me to see 73 +/- 6 rpm and 70 +/- 6 rpm because that was the way I was taught.

It is interesting to note the W/kg figures of 4.5 and 4.3, a lot lower than the 7 target during training. The hills were 7 - 8%.

The Wattage outputs weren't rediculous either, so if there's anyone out there enrolled on a Sportive, you should be aiming at this standard

 

[Downward]

Seriously, Stop now.

 

[MacB]

Seriously, Stop now.

Jim, could you just expand a bit on that last post please

 

[jimboalee]

Jim, could you just expand a bit on that last post please

Yes McB, Downward should have looked back to check who the OP is on this thread.

I thought it was 'rather cheeky' to tell the OP to stop posting on his own thread.

If anyone does not wish to read MY thread, then don't, that's your choice. No-one, including me is twisting your arm to force you to read it.

My only hope is someone has taken in some enlightenment and is a little wiser about the subject I posted about.


Oh yes McB. There are 20kg bikes out there aimed at the young lady market... Sturmey 3 speed with a 50" low... 10% = impossible.
Getting a 20kg bike up a ten minute 10% proves the rider is far from a 'newbie'. :?:

 

[Downward]

Sorry I thought being in Beginners it may have been relevant

 

[jimboalee]

Sorry I thought being in Beginners it may have been relevant

Appology accepted.

The trouble with the bicycle sales business today ( as has been mentioned before ) is the newbie beginner can be sold a bike which is not correct for his/her situation.

Bike shop sales staff ( younger ones especially ) want the sale.
Bike shop sales staff ( younger ones especially ) are unaware of some age-old bikeworld stuff.

My starting this thread in 'Beginners' was to reitterate a piece of time-forgotten folklore with an enhancement for the beginner who is considering a purchase to lose weight.

Without being so rude, it was to help the overweight beginner sus out his/her bike.

I admit I did get a bit stroppy after reading the responses.

I hope there have been some 'lurkers' who have used the information.

 

[Garz]

It makes sense jim, after all when you spend some cash that some bikes can cost you want it to function for the job.

 

[Downward]

Choosing a bike is hard enough I say just choosing a type and make.

 

[jimboalee]

Tomorrow's big one is the Tourmalet.

It's 7.7% for 16.5 km ( or 10 miles ).

Any Off The Peg roadrace bike will be OK up there.

When a potential newbie watches the Tour tomorrow and gets inspired to buy a bike like the ones he's watching, he won't realise that the slope is about HALF of some of the hills in Derbyshire, Surrey or South Wales.

He will go to his LBS and ask for a £2500 roadbike, which they will gladly sell to him.

When he gets to Succombs hill, he'll get the shock of his life ( or wallet ).

Succombs hill is FOUR times as steep, what does he expect?

Even Red Bull wouldn't be of any help.

 

[Steve Austin]

Are you drunk Jim?

 

[jimboalee]

Are you drunk Jim?

It's my thread, I'll get pissed if I want....

 

[Crackle]

It's nay as long though.

 

[Garz]

Even Red Bull wouldn't be of any help.

But I thought it gave you wiiiings?

 

[Panter]

But I thought it gave you wiiiings?

It does, but I think the flapping ratio may be wrong.........

 

[Randochap]

The trouble with the bicycle sales business today ( as has been mentioned before ) is the newbie beginner can be sold a bike which is not correct for his/her situation.

Bike shop sales staff ( younger ones especially ) want the sale.
Bike shop sales staff ( younger ones especially ) are unaware of some age-old bikeworld stuff.

I'm not as technically-minded as Jim, but I'm glad to see him reiterating my favourite rant.

As I've said more than once, this is the single biggest problem for new riders who come in at a disadvantage, because they have been sold a machine wholly unsuited to their needs.

Of course, we shouldn't always blame the young (or old enough to know better) salesperson. More than a few times I've tried to steer an overweight, "over-the-hill" aspiring cyclist towards a touring bike with lower gearing, only to have them insist on buying a racer boy bike.

At that point, one just reminds oneself that "the cusomer is always right" and wish them good luck.