Compact Chainset in stop/start traffic

PhildB

What's the best way to use this Chainset in the above conditions. I have a 50 x 34T (not sure what the 'T' stands for?), and 10 speed 11-28.

I want to get into good habits and generally be kind to my gears.

Stopping at lights, and then accelerating to around-town speeds... - back to a stop again, - what I have been doing is hopping up & down between the front two rings all the time, as well as flitting between the middle gears at the rear.

I can gain speed from a stop whilst in the front big ring and middle rear, although I'd be standing up and not sure whether this is putting too much strain on the chain.

Bit confused as it seems like a lot of changing, - can anyone offer any advice (i'm aware of cross chaining).

Thanks.

rozzer32

The T stands for teeth or tooth. So it has a 50 teeth outer chainring and a 34 teeth inner chainring.

Use what ever feels comfortable. Don't worry about too much strain on the chain, if you're developing so much power you start snapping chains then I'd advise starting to race.

If I'm around town I normally stay in the little chainring and just change gear on the cassette.

Paul E

I went from a triple to a compact to a standard and even though I have lost the very low gear form the compact I prefer the standard around town, I stay in the 39 mostly and use the middle of the cassette,

alihisgreat

I don't tend to race around town as i'm usually riding through at the beginning and the end of my ride so i tend to stay on the small ring (apart from the big downhill bit) and use it as a gentle warm up/warm down.


unfortunately it is going to require a lot of changing if you want to ride fast in stop start traffic.

essjaydee

I too have a compact 50/34 on a 9 speed cassette and tend to stay in the outer (50) ring most of the time and just use the rear cassette

Wirral_paul

rozzer32 wrote:

if you're developing so much power you start snapping chains then I'd advise starting to race.

....or start a 6 page rant and throw all your toys out of the pram - that works too!!

PhildB

Cheers guys

rozzer32 wrote:

Use what ever feels comfortable. Don't worry about too much strain on the chain, if you're developing so much power you start snapping chains then I'd advise starting to race.

LOL - will take this approach, sure in time after getting more familiar with the bike ill get into some habits

Pigtail

I wouldn't worry too much about the gear train, more what suits you. I have a 9 speed 12-25, with 50/34 on the front. I tend to stay in the big ring, and start off in the 3rd biggest ring at the back. Then I generally only move about 3-4 rings at the back in town.

Experiment for yourself though. I think I tended to 'grind' too much for a start and have worked on using my gears more and upping my cadence.