Cycling and big gears - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

11-18-2004, 07:03 PM

Hello,

It is generally considered good practice to spin at high cadence
with small gears. Are big ratios that bad? I tried today, and
I was forced to maintain high cadence; it was less comfortable
pedaling slowly with big gears, I think. (On the other hand, if
I use small gears, I often go easy if I am not mindful, and the
exercise is less than effective.) My legs are kind of stiff after
that. Is this something I will get used to eventually? Or am I
asking for injuries?

In retrospect, when I started rowing, my arms would get stiff after
a few minutes. I kept trying and I was used to the lactic acid (?).
My arms do not feel tired and stiff since. I am tempted to do this
in cycling.

Miles

11-18-2004, 07:52 PM

Miles Aere3? writes:

> It is generally considered good practice to spin at high cadence
> with small gears. Are big ratios that bad? I tried today, and I
> was forced to maintain high cadence; it was less comfortable
> pedaling slowly with big gears, I think. (On the other hand, if I
> use small gears, I often go easy if I am not mindful, and the
> exercise is less than effective.) My legs are kind of stiff after
> that. Is this something I will get used to eventually? Or am I
> asking for injuries?

I don't know how old you are but if young and fit, you should ride the
way you feel most comfortable. Bicycling is no religious ritual and
unless you are training under the tutelage of a racing coach who
prescribes a training regimen, enjoy your bicycling.

> In retrospect, when I started rowing, my arms would get stiff after
> a few minutes. I kept trying and I was used to the lactic acid (?).
> My arms do not feel tired and stiff since. I am tempted to do this
> in cycling.

This isn't about stiffness but rather knee and hip joint injury for
those who have not ridden a bicycle until after 30 or so. The deepest
normal loaded knee bends done by average people is climbing stairs
(one at a time) that have about a 6" rise. A bicycle has close to a
14 inch rise and thereby easily causes knee problems for many riders.

Rowing has deeper knee bends than bicycling so act accordingly.

Those of us who have ridden bicycles since early youth generally don't
have any problem with that, but that is not what the bicycling
population is made of. Therefore you hear all sorts of admonishments
about pressing hard on the pedals.

Jobst Brandt
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

11-18-2004, 07:52 PM

Miles Aere3? writes:

> It is generally considered good practice to spin at high cadence
> with small gears. Are big ratios that bad? I tried today, and I
> was forced to maintain high cadence; it was less comfortable
> pedaling slowly with big gears, I think. (On the other hand, if I
> use small gears, I often go easy if I am not mindful, and the
> exercise is less than effective.) My legs are kind of stiff after
> that. Is this something I will get used to eventually? Or am I
> asking for injuries?

I don't know how old you are but if young and fit, you should ride the
way you feel most comfortable. Bicycling is no religious ritual and
unless you are training under the tutelage of a racing coach who
prescribes a training regimen, enjoy your bicycling.

> In retrospect, when I started rowing, my arms would get stiff after
> a few minutes. I kept trying and I was used to the lactic acid (?).
> My arms do not feel tired and stiff since. I am tempted to do this
> in cycling.

This isn't about stiffness but rather knee and hip joint injury for
those who have not ridden a bicycle until after 30 or so. The deepest
normal loaded knee bends done by average people is climbing stairs
(one at a time) that have about a 6" rise. A bicycle has close to a
14 inch rise and thereby easily causes knee problems for many riders.

Rowing has deeper knee bends than bicycling so act accordingly.

Those of us who have ridden bicycles since early youth generally don't
have any problem with that, but that is not what the bicycling
population is made of. Therefore you hear all sorts of admonishments
about pressing hard on the pedals.

Jobst Brandt
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

11-18-2004, 07:52 PM

Miles Aere3? writes:

> It is generally considered good practice to spin at high cadence
> with small gears. Are big ratios that bad? I tried today, and I
> was forced to maintain high cadence; it was less comfortable
> pedaling slowly with big gears, I think. (On the other hand, if I
> use small gears, I often go easy if I am not mindful, and the
> exercise is less than effective.) My legs are kind of stiff after
> that. Is this something I will get used to eventually? Or am I
> asking for injuries?

I don't know how old you are but if young and fit, you should ride the
way you feel most comfortable. Bicycling is no religious ritual and
unless you are training under the tutelage of a racing coach who
prescribes a training regimen, enjoy your bicycling.

> In retrospect, when I started rowing, my arms would get stiff after
> a few minutes. I kept trying and I was used to the lactic acid (?).
> My arms do not feel tired and stiff since. I am tempted to do this
> in cycling.

This isn't about stiffness but rather knee and hip joint injury for
those who have not ridden a bicycle until after 30 or so. The deepest
normal loaded knee bends done by average people is climbing stairs
(one at a time) that have about a 6" rise. A bicycle has close to a
14 inch rise and thereby easily causes knee problems for many riders.

Rowing has deeper knee bends than bicycling so act accordingly.

Those of us who have ridden bicycles since early youth generally don't
have any problem with that, but that is not what the bicycling
population is made of. Therefore you hear all sorts of admonishments
about pressing hard on the pedals.

Jobst Brandt
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

11-18-2004, 07:52 PM

Miles Aere3? writes:

> It is generally considered good practice to spin at high cadence
> with small gears. Are big ratios that bad? I tried today, and I
> was forced to maintain high cadence; it was less comfortable
> pedaling slowly with big gears, I think. (On the other hand, if I
> use small gears, I often go easy if I am not mindful, and the
> exercise is less than effective.) My legs are kind of stiff after
> that. Is this something I will get used to eventually? Or am I
> asking for injuries?

I don't know how old you are but if young and fit, you should ride the
way you feel most comfortable. Bicycling is no religious ritual and
unless you are training under the tutelage of a racing coach who
prescribes a training regimen, enjoy your bicycling.

> In retrospect, when I started rowing, my arms would get stiff after
> a few minutes. I kept trying and I was used to the lactic acid (?).
> My arms do not feel tired and stiff since. I am tempted to do this
> in cycling.

This isn't about stiffness but rather knee and hip joint injury for
those who have not ridden a bicycle until after 30 or so. The deepest
normal loaded knee bends done by average people is climbing stairs
(one at a time) that have about a 6" rise. A bicycle has close to a
14 inch rise and thereby easily causes knee problems for many riders.

Rowing has deeper knee bends than bicycling so act accordingly.

Those of us who have ridden bicycles since early youth generally don't
have any problem with that, but that is not what the bicycling
population is made of. Therefore you hear all sorts of admonishments
about pressing hard on the pedals.

Jobst Brandt
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

11-19-2004, 06:47 AM

On 18 Nov 2004 20:03:45 -0800, Miles wrote:

> It is generally considered good practice to spin at high cadence
> with small gears. Are big ratios that bad? I tried today, and
> I was forced to maintain high cadence; it was less comfortable
> pedaling slowly with big gears, I think. (On the other hand, if
> I use small gears, I often go easy if I am not mindful, and the
> exercise is less than effective.)

IMHO the way to load yourself correctly is to aim for a certain heart
rate region, and use whatever gear lets you maintain it comfortably.
If your gear is too high your legs will give out quickly, and if it's too
low you simply won't be able to work hard enough.

I try to ride at 80-90% of my maximum.

--
bpo gallery at [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

11-19-2004, 06:47 AM

On 18 Nov 2004 20:03:45 -0800, Miles wrote:

> It is generally considered good practice to spin at high cadence
> with small gears. Are big ratios that bad? I tried today, and
> I was forced to maintain high cadence; it was less comfortable
> pedaling slowly with big gears, I think. (On the other hand, if
> I use small gears, I often go easy if I am not mindful, and the
> exercise is less than effective.)

IMHO the way to load yourself correctly is to aim for a certain heart
rate region, and use whatever gear lets you maintain it comfortably.
If your gear is too high your legs will give out quickly, and if it's too
low you simply won't be able to work hard enough.

I try to ride at 80-90% of my maximum.

--
bpo gallery at [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

11-19-2004, 06:47 AM

On 18 Nov 2004 20:03:45 -0800, Miles wrote:

> It is generally considered good practice to spin at high cadence
> with small gears. Are big ratios that bad? I tried today, and
> I was forced to maintain high cadence; it was less comfortable
> pedaling slowly with big gears, I think. (On the other hand, if
> I use small gears, I often go easy if I am not mindful, and the
> exercise is less than effective.)

IMHO the way to load yourself correctly is to aim for a certain heart
rate region, and use whatever gear lets you maintain it comfortably.
If your gear is too high your legs will give out quickly, and if it's too
low you simply won't be able to work hard enough.

I try to ride at 80-90% of my maximum.

--
bpo gallery at [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

11-19-2004, 06:47 AM

On 18 Nov 2004 20:03:45 -0800, Miles wrote:

> It is generally considered good practice to spin at high cadence
> with small gears. Are big ratios that bad? I tried today, and
> I was forced to maintain high cadence; it was less comfortable
> pedaling slowly with big gears, I think. (On the other hand, if
> I use small gears, I often go easy if I am not mindful, and the
> exercise is less than effective.)

IMHO the way to load yourself correctly is to aim for a certain heart
rate region, and use whatever gear lets you maintain it comfortably.
If your gear is too high your legs will give out quickly, and if it's too
low you simply won't be able to work hard enough.

I try to ride at 80-90% of my maximum.

--
bpo gallery at [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

11-19-2004, 06:56 AM

Michael Warner wrote:

> I try to ride at 80-90% of my maximum.

Not all the time, I hope. Unless you're not concerned about getting
stronger, in which case feel free to ride whatever pace you want
(but rest when you're tired).
--
terry morse Palo Alto, CA [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]