Big cog/big sprocket when parking bike - worthwhile?

jeepie
jeepie Posts: 497
edited July 2011 in Road beginners
My father in law told me that when I park my bike I should put it on the big ring at the front and the largest sprocket at the back. This was apparently so the cables would keep their tension for longer, and in the big cog/big sprocket combo, the cables are under the least tension.

1) is this true?
2) do people do this?
3) is it worthwhile?

Comments

  • danowat
    danowat Posts: 2,877
    For tension, I believe thats the wrong way round, no tension would be small ring, small cog.

    FTR, I leave it in whatever it was in when I stopped riding.
  • Fenred
    Fenred Posts: 428
    danowat wrote:
    For tension, I believe thats the wrong way round, no tension would be small ring, small cog.

    FTR, I leave it in whatever it was in when I stopped riding.

    ^^ Confirmed...big ring has max tension on your FD cable.

    I always finish my rides with a spin so generally leave the bike in small chainring and low-mid rear cassette.

    If I need to stop on a long ride to pop into a shop and leave the bike momentarily unattanded I always leave in biggest gear as slightly harder for potential theif to ride off...Prob wont make too much difference but just something I've always done :wink:
  • nferrar
    nferrar Posts: 2,511
    Think used to be an issue years ago with some mech springs stretching (if you left the bike in/near big/big) but with modern mechs it makes no difference so just leave it in the gear you stop in.
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    Fenred wrote:
    If I need to stop on a long ride to pop into a shop and leave the bike momentarily unattanded I always leave in biggest gear as slightly harder for potential theif to ride off...Prob wont make too much difference but just something I've always done :wink:

    If you are going to do that, you might as well make it harder by shifting the rear derailleur back into the big sprocket position whilst stationary - you'll hear the gears and their swearing before they've got 10 feet!
    Faster than a tent.......
  • ris
    ris Posts: 392
    it's not just mech springs and cables... leaving it in big front/ big rear will stretch your chain more quickly. i'd drop the chain onto the smaller chainring and mid-way through the cassette to reduce the tension in the chain.
  • trooperk
    trooperk Posts: 189
    ris wrote:
    it's not just mech springs and cables... leaving it in big front/ big rear will stretch your chain more quickly.

    Somehow I doubt the mech spring has the power to stretch your chain. :lol:
    Specialized-The clitoris of bikes.
  • TuckerUK
    TuckerUK Posts: 369
    it's not just mech springs and cables... leaving it in big front/ big rear will stretch your chain more quickly.

    Chain stretch is actually wear; no wear whilst the bike is stationary. :wink:
    "Coming through..."
  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    If my bike can take the pressures of me grunting my way up some Welsh mountains (as per last w/e) then I am sure it can cope with being left in any gear whilst parked outside a cafe. Whether I can take the pressure is another matter all together.
  • CiB
    CiB Posts: 6,098
    Jeepie wrote:
    My father in law told me that when I park my bike I should put it on the big ring at the front and the largest sprocket at the back. This was apparently so the cables would keep their tension for longer, and in the big cog/big sprocket combo, the cables are under the least tension.
    As the old boy told you this but has got it backwards, it follows that he's spent probably a lifetime proving that it doesn't make a jot of difference, otherwise he'd have endless stretched cables & chains to deal with through leaving the cables under their biggest strain & the chain pulled like a violin string around the biggest cogs.

    It's not an issue. Park it how it looks neatest to you.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Leave it in whatever gear you want. It really wont make any difference.
  • Thebigbee
    Thebigbee Posts: 570
    Jeepie wrote:
    My father in law told me that when I park my bike I should put it on the big ring at the front and the largest sprocket at the back. This was apparently so the cables would keep their tension for longer, and in the big cog/big sprocket combo, the cables are under the least tension.

    1) is this true?
    2) do people do this?
    3) is it worthwhile?

    Does your father in law like you being married to his daughter?

    I have hills that I have to climb before I get on the road and I always ensure I am in either middle low or low high when I park my bike up.

    That is because I have learnt that generally if you need to stand up - then you are in the wrong gear.

    Not my wisdom but the cycling guru http://www.sheldonbrown.com/home.html

    He knows "just a little bit" about bikes!!

    When your bike is parked the cables aren't under any tension - unless you park it in the way your father in law suggested.

    Think about it for a second....

    Either 1) - He is mugging you off..
    2) - You are trolling
    3) - For some completely inexpicable reason he genuinely believes this codswallop to be true. I seriously find that very hard to believe!
  • Herbsman
    Herbsman Posts: 2,029
    ris wrote:
    it's not just mech springs and cables... leaving it in big front/ big rear will stretch your chain more quickly. i'd drop the chain onto the smaller chainring and mid-way through the cassette to reduce the tension in the chain.
    Can I nominate this for the most hilarious post of the year?
    CAPTAIN BUCKFAST'S CYCLING TIPS - GUARANTEED TO WORK! 1 OUT OF 10 RACING CYCLISTS AGREE!
  • godders1
    godders1 Posts: 750
    Ensuring your crank arms are at 30 degrees is more important. :wink:
  • jeepie
    jeepie Posts: 497
    Thanks for the info guys.

    In answer to bigbee's question it's probably 3). I thought it sounded a bit odd, so thought I'd check on here. If I was trolling I could do a lot better than that :D

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