dagwood123 Posted April 6, 2011 Share So I am one lucky guy that was given a B/day present from my wife in January it include a trip to this years TDF and i am lucky that i will be riding the last 10 days with a tour.....Now i am quite fit as a ride and train 6 days a week....but what I need is advise from people thats been there before I hear stuff like change to a compaq crank and go with a 12-27 cluster Please advise thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAAD4 Posted April 6, 2011 Share 11-32. I hate you..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyclenut Posted April 6, 2011 Share Train 7 days a week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rouxtjie Posted April 6, 2011 Share Blixem...I need to send my wife a link to this page.... She seriously needs to up her game See above for training advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gummibear Posted April 6, 2011 Share I hear stuff like change to a compaq crank and go with a 12-27 cluster Please advise thanks I am fit but a little heavy and i can get up most of the climbs,with loads of @##$% and #^&*&*,on a 53-39 with 11-28 cassette.The 53-11 is very handy going down the other side.If you can lend a compact crank it may be wise as you will be riding 10 days in a row. Longest climb was 8km in Switzerland and has 9% gradient....i also had a few stops to look around Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velouria Posted April 6, 2011 Share I rode up Alpe d'Huez on an 11-23, not the easiest thing I have ever done, but it was manageable. I doubt you're going to be racing for 10 days, and the tours are usually pretty laid back, letting you decide how far you want to ride, and how hard. I would also suggest taking some sort of bag along on the bike (even if it is just something like a musette) - firstly for all the free stuff the caravan chucks out, but also for some baguettes and juice - it can be a long time on the side of the mountain waiting for the Tour to come through. Lastly, enjoy, and be sure to have a SA flag waving as the cameras come by so that we can spot you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gummibear Posted April 6, 2011 Share I rode up Alpe d'Huez on an 11-23 Respect dude Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dagwood123 Posted April 6, 2011 Share Thanks for all the help.....I will see if I can get a compact crank and see how it is to ride with....@Verlouria I am taking a flag with so check out for me on Alpe d'Huez @CAAD why do you hate me ??? lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klaus Posted April 6, 2011 Share Train 7 days a week :lol: Enjoy the tour. Followed it last year with a camper van and fold up bikes. Plotting to do the touring thing next time though. Worth every cent ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bontie Posted April 6, 2011 Share Thanks for all the help.....I will see if I can get a compact crank and see how it is to ride with....@Verlouria I am taking a flag with so check out for me on Alpe d'Huez @CAAD why do you hate me ??? lol I do not know what ratio you currently ride, but I recently changed to compact (As I will also be riding some of these climbs soon) A 50:34(4.5454) is actually a heavier gear than a 53:12(4.416). And the compact gives you a massive range to the lighter side. IMO compact is the way to go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velouria Posted April 6, 2011 Share Respect dude The ignorance of youth! I'd conquered Suikerbossie, how hard could Alpe d'Huez be? (I almost turned around after the first 3 corners - I didn't know they could make roads that steep!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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