Although it has to be said I ran out of gears on virtually every downhill. It does feel a bit under geared at the top end.
Pedal faster! 😉
Seriously though, I found investing in a Cadence sensor (to go with my Garmin Edge 500) was worth the while to help me improve my cadence. I wasn't exactly a grinder before, but was tending to average 78-80rpm over a ride. A few months on and in regularly in the 88-90rpm average over the length of a ride now, and am faster and feel better for it.
I'd say if it hasn't got one already, fit an 11-28 cassette. You only get wide(ish) gaps right at the very bottom end of the gear ratio where it's not important, but having a 34/28 bottom gear is much nicer for most newbies than the typical 34/25, and having an 11T on the back helps you keep pedalling over 40mph... Ok, I can spin quite well, but there's a local descent near me I've done a few times that's not steep enough to be faster tucking, so you've got to pedal, and I've done over 45mph on it a few times pushing 50/11.
Round my way unless you're very fit a compact drivetrain has neither low enough or high enough gears for me. When I'm grinding up yet another mile long 20% climb my triple chainset 30/27 feels too high and downhill soon spin out my 52/12. I need a 10sp 11-27 cassette but the upgrade cost from 9sp on a road bike is huge!!
I did a 16 mile quick loop from my house last night and there was 1400ft of climbing. :sigh:
Im in same boat,new 1st road bike,green seems to be the hot color for bikes this year as my merida has,just waiting on pimping parts in post,got a few 50m sportives lined up in july...
Looks a bit like mine......
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Yes i know...... The gear cable is too long and it`s not on the correct "gear" but this was taken 2 years ago and al has been sorted (soon after pic was taken)
😀
Very nice. You work in one of my local shops. What route do you take? If you want any commuting advice or loops, drop me a line. And you are also a Wilier dealer, so why Trek? 😉
And get a cadence meter, keep spinning at 90-100rpm. Speed will come.
Gone from a standard to compact set up and prefer the compact , often hit 40mph (downhill) whereupon my bottle usually runs out anyway.
