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Posted

Astana attacking peleton, Moviestar taking an interest.... breakaway at 4'17... seems everyone wanting to race now... going to be a tough day... attacks starting early

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Posted

Astana attacking peleton, Moviestar taking an interest.... breakaway at 4'17... seems everyone wanting to race now... going to be a tough day... attacks starting early

 

When will Nairo and Teejay pull on the ejector seat?

Posted

Has there ever been a TDF when a frenchie, Italion and Spanish rider has not won a stage??

Probably not hey

But I don't think ever as deeply into week 3 at least

 

Interesting stat to check out

Posted

 

 

 

I watched this clip and the most interesting thing for me is the gear ratios.

 

He has a 11-28 cassette and 53/36 chain rings giving him a lowest ratio of 1.3:1  (33.9 inches).

 

Eddy Merckx rode a 42 small ring with his cassette only going up to a 21, giving him a 2:1 ratio (52.6 inches). 

 

Merckx rode an easiest gear >50% heavier than Louis.

 

Maybe they are both at the extreme ends of their eras, but as my Eroica bike has the same ratio as (the other) eddy's bike, I think it is safe to say that gearing has become easier over the years.

 

I wonder what the impact on racing times are because of this ?

 

Any views ?

Posted

Not much happening at the moment, all climbing, Polka in break away, Katusha/Astana driving the chasing peleton, break down to 2'51, 105.2kms to go

Posted

I watched this clip and the most interesting thing for me is the gear ratios.

 

He has a 11-28 cassette and 53/36 chain rings giving him a lowest ratio of 1.3:1  (33.9 inches).

 

Eddy Merckx rode a 42 small ring with his cassette only going up to a 21, giving him a 2:1 ratio (52.6 inches). 

 

Merckx rode an easiest gear >50% heavier than Louis.

 

Maybe they are both at the extreme ends of their eras, but as my Eroica bike has the same ratio as (the other) eddy's bike, I think it is safe to say that gearing has become easier over the years.

 

I wonder what the impact on racing times are because of this ?

 

Any views ?

 

Lance armstrong also had a 39-25 when he road around France... 

Posted

I watched this clip and the most interesting thing for me is the gear ratios.

 

He has a 11-28 cassette and 53/36 chain rings giving him a lowest ratio of 1.3:1 (33.9 inches).

 

Eddy Merckx rode a 42 small ring with his cassette only going up to a 21, giving him a 2:1 ratio (52.6 inches).

 

Merckx rode an easiest gear >50% heavier than Louis.

 

Maybe they are both at the extreme ends of their eras, but as my Eroica bike has the same ratio as (the other) eddy's bike, I think it is safe to say that gearing has become easier over the years.

 

I wonder what the impact on racing times are because of this ?

 

Any views ?

Good question!

 

Can't really answer, but will try to ask a few sport scientists.

 

Some more gearing info from a forum http://forums.roadbikereview.com/general-cycling-discussion/what-gear-ratios-do-pros-use-mountains-1611.html

 

"Millar's gear ratios were pretty standard back in the 70s and 80s. 42-21 was standard for racing, adding a 23, 24, 25, or 26 for mountains. Inner chainrings less than 42 or 41 teeth were seldom used: it wasn't that hard to crank a 21 or 22 pound bike, what racing bikes weighed at the time, up hills in 42-21. Everybody did it."

Posted

I watched this clip and the most interesting thing for me is the gear ratios.

 

He has a 11-28 cassette and 53/36 chain rings giving him a lowest ratio of 1.3:1  (33.9 inches).

 

Eddy Merckx rode a 42 small ring with his cassette only going up to a 21, giving him a 2:1 ratio (52.6 inches). 

 

Merckx rode an easiest gear >50% heavier than Louis.

 

Maybe they are both at the extreme ends of their eras, but as my Eroica bike has the same ratio as (the other) eddy's bike, I think it is safe to say that gearing has become easier over the years.

 

I wonder what the impact on racing times are because of this ?

 

Any views ?

This is LM's TT bike for hill climb TT's. I wonder what his "normal" bike's ratios look like? That would be a better comparison I think.

Posted

This is LM's TT bike for hill climb TT's. I wonder what his "normal" bike's ratios look like? That would be a better comparison I think.

"Normal" today for pros would be something like below?

 

39 X 23 for "normal" mountains

39 X 25 for tough climbs

39 X 27 or triples for "eye poppers"

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