Appropriate chainring size

[DieselnDust]

110 to 125rpm regularly... Wow I am massively impressed.

[MudLark]

110 to 125rpm regularly... Wow I am massively impressed.

[emoji2369] Not sure what the big deal is. I often have workouts from my coach with the title "Fast Pedals" with multiple 5 minute intervals requiring me to hold 110 to 120 rpm during the interval. We use Training Peaks. I imagine that this happens with a lot of his clients. Edited April 10, 2021 by MudLark

[buckstopper]

If you're 6 ft and weigh 60kg that could be the problem. Also, learn to pedal on the downhills by pedalling the downhills. Go for 2hr rides and spend say 30 mins (initially) riding at say 180-200w,uphills AND downhills. This will improve your high cadence. Not an easy workout, though, trust me.

[eala]

If you're 6 ft and weigh 60kg that could be the problem. Also, learn to pedal on the downhills by pedalling the downhills. Go for 2hr rides and spend say 30 mins (initially) riding at say 180-200w,uphills AND downhills. This will improve your high cadence. Not an easy workout, though, trust me.

I think the problem here is a weight one .At 6 ft and only 60 kg there is very little momentum advantage .You are a sail on a bike .Start eating or go back to 2 x 11 

[Scott roy]

I think the problem here is a weight one .At 6 ft and only 60 kg there is very little momentum advantage .You are a sail on a bike .Start eating or go back to 2 x 11

Thanks. I think I’m going to have to go a diet of chocolate and ice cream because I eat plenary but just don’t gain weight????

[MudLark]

Thanks. I think I’m going to have to go a diet of chocolate and ice cream because I eat plenary but just don’t gain weight[emoji23]

Right now I'm finding it pretty hard to like you! ;-)

[love2fly]

My understanding is that a 34 Oval is equal to a 35 if you could get one. I ride a 32 Oval and never really stress about running out of gears... On a flat I can keep up and when I would need a 34 or 36 I tuck down as aero as possible. I might one day try a 34 but never a 36. I figure if I only have to yluse my top 2 gears on the cluster when I venture down to the Western Cape, my drive train will last longer.

 

Oval chainrings supposedly improves the power through the stroke and should in my mind help with climbs. Perhaps try a 34t oval ring which should aid in the climbs and give you that ~2 kph advantage on the flats? Just a thought.

 

From my chats about oval rings at LBS it seems that a 34t oval is (apparently) equivalent to a 36t round ring...I dunno for sure. Anyone know if this is indeed so?

 

 

[edit] - I ride 34t round and Eagle 11-50 ring at the back and it works plenty fine for me. Average speed on tarred flats is ~25 kph and max is around ~44/45 kph but then I am striking matches like mad.

 

On trails I have never run out of gears and spun out pedaling.

[Grease_Monkey]

My understanding is that a 34 Oval is equal to a 35 if you could get one. I ride a 32 Oval and never really stress about running out of gears... On a flat I can keep up and when I would need a 34 or 36 I tuck down as aero as possible. I might one day try a 34 but never a 36. I figure if I only have to yluse my top 2 gears on the cluster when I venture down to the Western Cape, my drive train will last longer.

 

 

One rotation of a 34 oval is the same as a 34 round is the same as a 34 triangle for that matter. The ratio is what it is. How it feels is where it differs.

 

You wil go exactly the same speed on a 34 oval and 34 round at the same cadence. Oval only claims to increase your efficiency, not speed.

[Monark]

One rotation of a 34 oval is the same as a 34 round is the same as a 34 triangle for that matter. The ratio is what it is. How it feels is where it differs.

 

You wil go exactly the same speed on a 34 oval and 34 round at the same cadence. Oval only claims to increase your efficiency, not speed.

100%

[love2fly]

100%

IF you look at it simplistic ally perhaps yes but you have to take into account when in the rotation the work is being done. Having said that, the only difference I noticed when going oval also on my roadbike after riding oval only on my mtb was that I feel I can spin up to a nice cadence and on the mtb when I have to get up a sharp steep climb, I get slightly less wheels pin. I won't ride round again after being on oval for 4 years.

[Heinrichgg]

Agree that 34t oval and 34t round is the same. One rotation moves the chain 34 links and using same sprocket in the back, will rotate the rear wheel the same distance. Don't think work will be much different either since friction and gravity forces will be the same, so positive work done to cover negative work done by those should be the same to maintain a constant speed. Oval's main advantage seems to be traction control by making the torque on the rear wheel smoother.

[DieselnDust]

Agree that 34t oval and 34t round is the same. One rotation moves the chain 34 links and using same sprocket in the back, will rotate the rear wheel the same distance. Don't think work will be much different either since friction and gravity forces will be the same, so positive work done to cover negative work done by those should be the same to maintain a constant speed. Oval's main advantage seems to be traction control by making the torque on the rear wheel smoother.

 

 

traction control is a placibo. Oval just feels different.

I rank it right up there with nano particle chain lubes ( oh great it has additives whooopppeeee)

[Steady Spin]

Ovals.... that marketing gimmick that causes premature wear on Shimano clutches ????