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