MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
I have a regular 16.8 mile road route I do with my mountain bike using slick tyres to maintain general fitness. It has elevation gain of about 500 meters and there are at least 4 climbs where I would regularly drop to the granny ring. I've often wondered if I am doing it out of habit or just because it's there and was convinced that I didn't need it so changed to 1x10 setup yesterday and did the same route again this morning. Here's the comparison:
2x9 setup:
Average time: 1hr 21mins
Average heart rate: 147bpm
Maximum heart rate: 169bpm
Calories: 1000 average (according to Garmin)
1x10 setup:
This morning's time: 1hr 21mins
Average heart rate: 147bpm
Maximum heart rate: 171bpm
Calories: 1066 (according to Garmin)
Strangely I finished the ride feeling better and stronger than ever on a 2x9 setup. Don't know if that is just due to what I ate or my fitness being better but it was a noticeable difference.
Now do it on a singlespeed 🙄
What was your old lowest gear and what is your new low gear?
Tried it off road yet?
Granny ring on the road ? Must be either very steep or a very bouncy bike. I honestly dont think I've ever intentionaly used a granny ring on a road. Best thing about a road section is pushing a big gear out of the saddle.
Single speed!? No, I don't like wearing rubber in the bedroom and being whipped either thanks very much.
Like I said, I do the route for nothing more than a bit of extra fitness, not trying to be superman or break any records. The last climb is about a 100 meter elevation increase in just less than a mile. Granny ring obviously not 'needed' but that is what I was using until today. Shows you that until you force yourself into a lower gear it's easy to be lazy.
Gearing used to be 22/32 and 11/36 and it is now 32 and 11/36 so very similar apart from not having the 22 anymore and having less of a jump between gears.
I am 6 foot and weigh 92kg so I am not exactly an XC whippit.
This is the bike I am using:
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