Bike Central

100 rpm?

You guys should be out at the track....

Joel Morrissette wrote:
> As Chris pointed out, a 53x11 on a descent means you can rest the legs
> and gain a little time at 35+mph. I run a compact, and 50x12 just
> doesn't cut it in any kind of sprint and I always top out on
> descents. I'm thinking an 11-28 would be great, but then I'd need to
> go with a SRAM long-cage derailleur for my setup. It would both climb
> AND sprint, though. = )
>
> To compare, at 100 rpm, 172.5mm cranks, 700x23 tires:
> 53x11 = 37.7 mph
> 52x11 = 37
> 50x11 = 35.5
> 36x28 = 10.1
> 34x26 = 10.2
>
> I think there's a very strong argument here for a 52/36 crankset with
> an 11-28 in the back as an all-around setup. On the top end, you can
> turn over the 52x11 a little easier than the 53x11 and leave some
> headroom for the sprint. On the bottom end, you have nearly the same
> climbing gearing as the standard compact 36x26 setup. The problem is
> that you need to run a long-cage derailleur (a medium-cage, really,
> but my SRAM gruppo doesn't have it) in the rear, and any FD is going
> to have a hard time taking up 16 teeth smoothly. Specs on my SRAM
> Rival compact FD say that it'll do 16 teeth, and even lists a 52/36 as
> an option. Can't imagine it's going to be very smooth, though.
>
> -Joel
>
> On Fri, Aug 29, 2008 at 3:40 PM, Chris Brandt > wrote:
>
> Jokes aside, I do actually use one. Because I can't climb very
> well, I often use it to get back on the pack on the descents.
> After a leg ripping climb (to me), it's surprising how slow the
> pack often descends, relative to what the motivated individual can
> do. Also, in criteriums with a tailwind sprint or a slight
> downhill section, I actually do use my 11 quite often. I don't
> have big "track racer" guns, but do find the 53x11 useful
> sometimes, over 100 rpms. In general though, a 12 is fine for me.
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>
>
>
> --
> __o "It never gets easier,
> _ \<_ you just go faster."
> (_)/(_) -- Greg LeMond
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