what gearing for a turbo trainer

[harrybarry]

Hi All

I have decided todo up an old steel framed hybrid to use just on my kurt rock and roll turbo trainer, its stripped at the moment waiting to be painted my question is what gearing should i put back on it, the front ring set is 22,32,42, and six cogs on the back. Do i need all these gears or should i set it back up as a six geared bike with a bigger front ring.

I am not that fit but do enjoy riding to stay fitter than i was, all so lost 30 lbs and would like to keep it off over winter.

 

[SimonC]

I use nothing but 53 ring on my turbo at the front, and vary between 21 and 12 sprocket at the back, depending on what sort of session I'm doing.

I would suggest getting a cheap and cheerful new chainset, get rid of the front changer and stick with whatever 6 speeds you have at the back (widely spaced ratios I presume if its a hybrid??)

See where you go from there. What sort of sessions you planning on doing?

 

[HLaB]

A 42 is very low for a Turbo IMO, I run my old Sirrus on mine which is a 30/42/52 and a 12-26 on the back (8sp fwiw) I like to select the gears in respect to the resistance, 52-12 when I'm in a lower resistance and dropping to the 42-26 at the maximum resistance, like Simon says if it was me I'd look at getting bigger chain rings.

 

[harrybarry]

A 42 is very low for a Turbo IMO, I run my old Sirrus on mine which is a 30/42/52 and a 12-26 on the back (8sp fwiw) I like to select the gears in respect to the resistance, 52-12 when I'm in a lower resistance and dropping to the 42-26 at the maximum resistance, like Simon says if it was me I'd look at getting bigger chain rings.

Thanks chaps

All was best to ask, i will go for a 52 on the front and leave the back alone for now and see how i go.

 

[harrybarry]

I use nothing but 53 ring on my turbo at the front, and vary between 21 and 12 sprocket at the back, depending on what sort of session I'm doing.

I would suggest getting a cheap and cheerful new chainset, get rid of the front changer and stick with whatever 6 speeds you have at the back (widely spaced ratios I presume if its a hybrid??)

See where you go from there. What sort of sessions you planning on doing?

If i change to a 53 only on the front, will i need new crank arms or is it a straight swap. All i plan to do is keep a level of fitness over the winter when it snowning and raining and i cant get out and about.