push or pedal?
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I would rather change gears and ride everything than push my bike for 10 ft but that is just a pride issue with me. It's something I am working out with my therapist.
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278 Posts
It's a race. What will slow you down more, having to run a few sections or having a slower overall speed from a lower gear?
You can always hike it if your gear is too high, but once you max out a low gear you simply can' go any faster.
If I were you, I would run the course with a couple different gearings and mark your times so you won't have to guess as to which one is going to be faster overall.
You can always hike it if your gear is too high, but once you max out a low gear you simply can' go any faster.
If I were you, I would run the course with a couple different gearings and mark your times so you won't have to guess as to which one is going to be faster overall.
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5,800 Posts
We have a local weekly race series with HUGE SS fields. The fastest guys are all running big gears and run the steepest hill climbs. Most of them have atleast a 40t chainring and are running 16 - 19t gears in back. They use the high gears to out run the field and give themselves enough time to run up the hills.
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2,419 Posts
agreed.pisket said:
But pride always makes me give it a damn good effort, even though i know it isnt smart.
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18 Posts
Price of a Chris King stainless steel 18t cog - $30. Price of a Blackspire 33t front chainring $32. Running past geared rides up a steep climb during a race - $priceless.
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351 Posts
Plenty of hills where the gearies are spinning their granny gears it's a lot faster and no more energy to dismount and just stroll past.
I'm not too proud to push.
I'm not too proud to push.
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14 Posts
My favorite part is when the chain derails on the bike right in front of you and you just dismount and take away the guy's hopes by just running past him. I laugh every time.
Back to topic:
Do you have a idea of what the course looks like? if you can run a micro knob tire front and back this will give you less rolling resistance so you can ride a bigger gear and go faster even if you have to dismount. Using big knobs is not usually needed unless your in mud or sand. I use Intense micro knob rear tire and a Kenda mini block in the front for better traction in the front rather than the back.
Maybe a little thinner tire in the rear and a bit bigger in the front also kinda like BMX.
I ride a 40/17 on the more flat courses and a 40 18 or 19 on the hilly one's still need to get off once in a while but seems to work. good luck
Back to topic:
Do you have a idea of what the course looks like? if you can run a micro knob tire front and back this will give you less rolling resistance so you can ride a bigger gear and go faster even if you have to dismount. Using big knobs is not usually needed unless your in mud or sand. I use Intense micro knob rear tire and a Kenda mini block in the front for better traction in the front rather than the back.
Maybe a little thinner tire in the rear and a bit bigger in the front also kinda like BMX.
I ride a 40/17 on the more flat courses and a 40 18 or 19 on the hilly one's still need to get off once in a while but seems to work. good luck
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4,211 Posts
First race of the year I geared down so I could ride everything. Pre-rode and everything went perfect. The course was damp. I figured I'd power past the geared riders on the climbs.
Race day the course was wet. Each successive lap I had to run more than the previous. The geared riders had a huge advantage on the flat grassy parts.
Race day the course was wet. Each successive lap I had to run more than the previous. The geared riders had a huge advantage on the flat grassy parts.
Cheers and thanks for all the replies!! I'm running 32/20 which seems to be pretty much standard around here (I'm in BC). I think I'll stick w/ the 20 and I'm on velocoraptors on right now but may roll some small blocks or racing ralphs and see how that goes. If I blow up, I'll be practicing the cx dismount and sprint.
I am now more stoked than ever to do the race ss.
I am now more stoked than ever to do the race ss.
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8,046 Posts
If it's hilly, gear down. If it's more flats, gear up.
Personally, I feel racers should be given time penalties for dismounting.
One piece of advice on the race. If you're in a class with geared riders, try to be close to the start line at the beginning of the race, and then push really hard for about a quarter mile to get ahead of as many people in you can. There are few things worse than getting stuck behind someone with gears and being forced to ride their pace. If they need to pass you later on, you can let them.
Personally, I feel racers should be given time penalties for dismounting.
One piece of advice on the race. If you're in a class with geared riders, try to be close to the start line at the beginning of the race, and then push really hard for about a quarter mile to get ahead of as many people in you can. There are few things worse than getting stuck behind someone with gears and being forced to ride their pace. If they need to pass you later on, you can let them.
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2,719 Posts
Yes, but it embetters the soul to clean all the lines.Velobike said:
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3,178 Posts
If these guys are ok walking on race day, so am I. Save the challenge rides for afterewarnerusa said:
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I just think being able to stay on the bike should be rewarded.CHUM said:you have got to be kidding :skep: .......walking/pushing is an inherent part of MTB'ing......unless you're a 'flatlander'......
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