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Gearing for IMAZ

AMA168AMA168
in General Training Discussions

 I have just purchased a Parlee TT with a 53/39 and 26/11 gearing.  Is this what the EN team would recommend for IMAZ?  I think I read somewhere that I need special approval from the coaches for various gearing.  I live in GA so i am constantly training in the hills but from driving the AZ course it is rather flat.

Comments

  • Coach RichCoach Rich
    I would recommend a compact crank and 25-12 for that course. 25-12 gearing in general. I run compact, 26-11 on my road bike but I do a lot of mountain riding: very long climbs and high speed descents
  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    Andrew - I don't want to go on record as disagreeing with the coach because I know he could flog me on the bike. But I did the IMAZ bike last Nov in 5:18 with a 53-39 and 25-12. I never used the 25. Your 26-11 is more than enough as long as you are able to run the run...otherwise consider the compact crank.
  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    25-12 vs 26-11 on that course because you'll never see the 26, or the 11, and 25-12 will have much less of a cadence gap in the middle of the cassette. Compact crank because it's just better than standard. See the gearing recommendations post in the wiki.

  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    Andrew - you can see the gear spacing Rich is talking about between a 26-11 and 25-12 by going to the link below. Set the chainring at 53-39 on both bars since that is what you have, then select the two different cassettes and it becomes very apparent.

    http://public.tableausoftware.com/views/bikegears/CompareBicycleGearing
  • Dave TalloDave Tallo
    I did a 5:05 with compact cranks and 12-25. And I actually used every gear!
  • TerryOTerryO
    This year I bought a 12/23 which I think will be perfect for IMAZ with my compact. You will likely never use your 39/34 + 25 and the time you spend in 11/12 on the back is minimal (maybe 3-5 miles on the descent from turnaround) unless you are a wicked 4.0+ watts/kg cyclist. I rode a compact + 12/25 last year which was plenty for me. But I like the idea of the virtual lack of significant cadence gap between any gears, especially since I am almost always in the middle of my cassette in training/racing.

    @Rich - thoughts? permissions?
  • Coach RichCoach Rich
    I'm just saying that with the race and training terrain that he described, compact/25-12 is an excellent, all around set up. That's what I'm using now that I'm on the tri bike, having taken off the 26-11, and while I miss the 26t on the loonnggg extended 6-10% stuff I have around here, sounds like he doesn't have that.

    If I were racing (probably low 5:00 or lower bike split on that course) I "might" use a 23-12.

    Bottomline (I hope everyone is reading this)...changing cassettes is very easy and relatively inexpensive in the grand scheme of thing. Hell, I'm borrowing a 25-12 from Sawiris for the summer because he's not using it. You shouldn't think twice about getting/borrowing a cassette to try it out, as it's about the same price as an expensive tire (if you go with Force or Ultregra) and will last you forever, literaly.

    Going with a compact crank as well is more expensive of course. The reason why we like it so much is that for any course, you can use a "smaller" cassette with a compact vs what you'd use for a standard crank. So at IMXX where you might use a 27-12 with standard cranks and have a big cadence gap in the middle, you can instead use a compact and a 25 or 26-12 = much less cadence gap.
  • ghernandghernand

    i did IMAZ x 4:

    i like to always view things from the run perspective.  what will gearing will get me over the bike course with the least strain on my legs?

    my body type, 5'8" 150-155lbs, likes the feel of compact and low gears.  put me on a 53-39 and 11-23 and i am not as efficient.

    i run with a very short stride and very high RPMS.  make me run with a long stride and low rpms, and i am miserable.

    IMAZ is not hilly, but does have enough risers that can bite you in the arse if you just power over them or use gears that 'should' be suitable for that type of course vs. what better fits what you are used to using.

    go with what you feel most comfortable riding and remember that you have to run afterwards!  i rode 6hrs at IMAZ and still finished before many faster riders.

    gh 

     

     

  • kjanracingkjanracing
    This is great...great explaining, Rich. I'm thinking I'm gonna throw a pair of compact rings on the SRM.
  • John StarkJohn Stark

     I am going fixy.    And I will still beat the youngin's.  

  • Coach RichCoach Rich
    Posted By Kurt Andersen on 09 Jun 2011 12:57 PM

    This is great...great explaining, Rich. I'm thinking I'm gonna throw a pair of compact rings on the SRM.

     

    It's a little more complicated than that. If you have a standard crank, the bolt pattern (bolts that...bolt...the chainrings to the crank) won't line up with the bolt holes on the 50/34 rings.

    Compact and Standard cranks are just that -- a complete set of cranks.

  • Steven FordSteven Ford
    Posted By John Stark on 09 Jun 2011 04:02 PM

     I am going fixy.    And I will still beat the youngin's.  





     

    I am riding a unicycle, and still will beat em.

  • TerryOTerryO
    Posted By John Stark on 09 Jun 2011 04:02 PM

     I am going fixy.    And I will still beat the youngin's.  





     

    Beach cruiser.  Cowboy boots.  Speedo of the brief variety.  EN tri top.  Motorcycle helmet with full facemask and goggles.

    Let's do this old man! 

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