2018 Gear

FocusZing

Why do you ride a fixie?

bobmcstuff

Rick Chasey wrote:

So the advantage of one chainring over two is chainline efficiency?

No, the advantage of having the front chainring move to keep a straight chainline is efficiency- that's what the last couple of posts are about...

bobmcstuff

kleinstroker wrote:

964Cup wrote:

Revised version: have a look at http://www.srm.de/news/road-cycling/?tx ... 87eb70fa1a. Lots of cadence data there, but I can't reliably see the colour difference between the speed and cadence traces, so I'm not going to draw conclusions.

The original point, if we all recall, was that Aqua Blue are going to ride 1x11 (or, I suppose, possibly 1x12) next year. Are they going to spin like loons, or have enormous rear cassettes and big gaps at the lower end?

Cadence(Blue) very rarely gets above 110rpm in any stage for most riders, Heart rate (red) does get to 180-200.

So max practical cadence is around 90-100rpm

Every time I've looked at a pro's Strava which includes cadence they're doing a remarkably constant rpm for the whole time, and I think most averages were between 85-100rpm range. I'd need to check but I don't remember seeing any wildly different.

rick_chasey

FocusZing wrote:

Why do you ride a fixie?

I don't, but this is pro race right?

It's about performance.

None of the riders ride fixie on the road

FocusZing

bobmcstuff wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

So the advantage of one chainring over two is chainline efficiency?

No, the advantage of having the front chainring move to keep a straight chainline is efficiency- that's what the last couple of posts are about...

Exactly.

FocusZing

Rick Chasey wrote:

FocusZing wrote:

Why do you ride a fixie?

I don't, but this is pro race right?

It's about performance.

None of the riders ride fixie on the road

As already mentioned one team next year will be riding a fixied front (probably a marketing exercise). That's why we are discussing this!

I can see the advantage with a true chain line and no gear crossovers. I like the idea of this filtering through to the general public, less to go wrong, less weight and more efficiency.

greasedscotsman

I reckon that we'll be seeing those 3T frames with front mech hangers glued or bolted on them next year.

inseine

Wasn't it this that started the trend (if it is a trend)...?

rick_chasey

Right so to be clear, is the thinking that a single chainring on the front saves weight?

And that weight saving is worth the reduction in gear options?

dannbodge

At least people can't moan at others for cross-chaining now

bobmcstuff

Rick Chasey wrote:

Right so to be clear, is the thinking that a single chainring on the front saves weight?

And that weight saving is worth the reduction in gear options?

It doesn't really reduce the gear options, given the amount of overlap you have on a standard 2x11 system. It might increase the gaps between some gears, which is what would annoy me the most. Although if they do move to 12 or even 13 speed that might reduce how much of a problem that is.

bobmcstuff

inseine wrote:

Wasn't it this that started the trend (if it is a trend)...?

That's designed explicitly for crits though, where the inner ring is effectively redundant anyway.

This 3T thing is designed as a proper road bike.

rick_chasey

bobmcstuff wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

Right so to be clear, is the thinking that a single chainring on the front saves weight?

And that weight saving is worth the reduction in gear options?

It doesn't really reduce the gear options, given the amount of overlap you have on a standard 2x11 system. It might increase the gaps between some gears, which is what would annoy me the most. Although if they do move to 12 or even 13 speed that might reduce how much of a problem that is.

Surely larger gaps means fewer options?

I still don't know what the performance advantage is of having one chainring.

pinno

I'm not sure why you couldn't have a sophisticated gear mechanism in a hub. (Sturmey Archer style) where multiple gear rations are available. All the gearing will be internal and bathed in oil. Even if the hub was supersized - Titanium parts, therefore light and protected from any contaminants.
I know the aesthetics of a bike would probably be totally ruined but the drive train of a bike has not really evolved that much in the same way as an internal combustion engine has not fundamentally changed bar the odd Wankel engine (Rotary),

FocusZing

The snag with hub gears, Alfine, Rohloff...is they aren't as efficient so wouldn't be suitable for anybody racing.
Mark Beaumont used a 14x Rohloff on his first round the world attempt, when he was carrying his own kit and wanted reliability. On his record speed attempt with support he went derailleur (weight, efficiency).

With a direct chainline single and 12x or even 13x cassettes it might be advantageous for the reasons mentioned, also a small marketing gains with aerodynamics.

yourpaceormine

But isn't the question of weight irrelevant in the case of the pro peloton due to most teams having to add weights to their bikes to meet UCI weight regs?

I would think that the aero drag of a front mech is minimal as it is in a very disturbed flow anyway. If it was I would imagine that British Cycling would have been all over it due to Mr Boardman's fixation with all things aero.

So that leaves marketing.

I'm not saying that a single chainring setup is bad, they are probably very useful for us mere mortals. But for the pro peloton, perhaps less so

Matthewfalle

greasedscotsman wrote:

I reckon that we'll be seeing those 3T frames with front mech hangers glued or bolted on them next year.

Why?

gsk82

Matthewfalle wrote:

greasedscotsman wrote:

I reckon that we'll be seeing those 3T frames with front mech hangers glued or bolted on them next year.

Why?

Because the idea of a pro racing up and down ventoux or the galibier with only one chain ring is ludicrous. Can you imagine these been used on the vuelta? 100 miles on the flat with massive gaps in gears will drive them mad. Unless they all change bikes at the bottom of the 25% finishing climb.

Matthewfalle

gsk82 wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

greasedscotsman wrote:

I reckon that we'll be seeing those 3T frames with front mech hangers glued or bolted on them next year.

Why?

Because the idea of a pro racing up and down ventoux or the galibier with only one chain ring is ludicrous. Can you imagine these been used on the vuelta? 100 miles on the flat with massive gaps in gears will drive them mad. Unless they all change bikes at the bottom of the 25% finishing climb.

Would have thought that maybe the DS' may have thought of that before agreeing to the team using the bikes. They may know a thing or two about this sort of stuff.

Or am I missing something.

gweeds

Matthewfalle wrote:

gsk82 wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

greasedscotsman wrote:

I reckon that we'll be seeing those 3T frames with front mech hangers glued or bolted on them next year.

Why?

Because the idea of a pro racing up and down ventoux or the galibier with only one chain ring is ludicrous. Can you imagine these been used on the vuelta? 100 miles on the flat with massive gaps in gears will drive them mad. Unless they all change bikes at the bottom of the 25% finishing climb.

Would have thought that maybe the DS' may have thought of that before agreeing to the team using the bikes. They may know a thing or two about this sort of stuff.

Or am I missing something.

Yes. It’s called publicity.

gsk82

Gweeds wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

gsk82 wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

greasedscotsman wrote:

I reckon that we'll be seeing those 3T frames with front mech hangers glued or bolted on them next year.

Why?

Because the idea of a pro racing up and down ventoux or the galibier with only one chain ring is ludicrous. Can you imagine these been used on the vuelta? 100 miles on the flat with massive gaps in gears will drive them mad. Unless they all change bikes at the bottom of the 25% finishing climb.

Would have thought that maybe the DS' may have thought of that before agreeing to the team using the bikes. They may know a thing or two about this sort of stuff.

Or am I missing something.

Yes. It’s called publicity.

Or they had no other sponsorship option.

Do people believe that cannondale riders wanted to ride tt bikes with disk brakes?

inseine

Aqua Blue are going to need at least 2 if not three other bikes. It'll be interesting to see what Vroomen comes up with for the TTs, given his history. Given the tyre clearance they'll need a Paris- Roubaix bike and in my opinion a double chainset version for the high mountains.

ddraver

3T have an 'aero gravel bike' that would be perfect for PR

Matthewfalle

Gweeds wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

gsk82 wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

greasedscotsman wrote:

I reckon that we'll be seeing those 3T frames with front mech hangers glued or bolted on them next year.

Why?

Because the idea of a pro racing up and down ventoux or the galibier with only one chain ring is ludicrous. Can you imagine these been used on the vuelta? 100 miles on the flat with massive gaps in gears will drive them mad. Unless they all change bikes at the bottom of the 25% finishing climb.

Would have thought that maybe the DS' may have thought of that before agreeing to the team using the bikes. They may know a thing or two about this sort of stuff.

Or am I missing something.

Yes. It’s called publicity.

Well, it's not great publicity for the manufacturer if all you see is lost chains and riders moaning about gear gaps or the team if they win nothing because their bikes are unsuitable, so I suspect, just suspect, that these points may have been discusssed at some point.

Matthewfalle

gsk82 wrote:

Gweeds wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

gsk82 wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

greasedscotsman wrote:

I reckon that we'll be seeing those 3T frames with front mech hangers glued or bolted on them next year.

Why?

Because the idea of a pro racing up and down ventoux or the galibier with only one chain ring is ludicrous. Can you imagine these been used on the vuelta? 100 miles on the flat with massive gaps in gears will drive them mad. Unless they all change bikes at the bottom of the 25% finishing climb.

Would have thought that maybe the DS' may have thought of that before agreeing to the team using the bikes. They may know a thing or two about this sort of stuff.

Or am I missing something.

Yes. It’s called publicity.

Or they had no other sponsorship option.

Do people believe that cannondale riders wanted to ride tt bikes with disk brakes?

Perhaps the C/dale riders didn't mind?

gweeds

Matthewfalle wrote:

Gweeds wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

gsk82 wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

greasedscotsman wrote:

I reckon that we'll be seeing those 3T frames with front mech hangers glued or bolted on them next year.

Why?

Because the idea of a pro racing up and down ventoux or the galibier with only one chain ring is ludicrous. Can you imagine these been used on the vuelta? 100 miles on the flat with massive gaps in gears will drive them mad. Unless they all change bikes at the bottom of the 25% finishing climb.

Would have thought that maybe the DS' may have thought of that before agreeing to the team using the bikes. They may know a thing or two about this sort of stuff.

Or am I missing something.

Yes. It’s called publicity.

Well, it's not great publicity for the manufacturer if all you see is lost chains and riders moaning about gear gaps or the team if they win nothing because their bikes are unsuitable, so I suspect, just suspect, that these points may have been discusssed at some point.

It is if they actually only use this particular bike in one flat race somewhere and use sensible options elsewhere.

My guess is there's more chance of Trump sleeping with Obama than this bike being used when it actually matters.

greasedscotsman

Matthewfalle wrote:

Well, it's not great publicity for the manufacturer if all you see is lost chains and riders moaning about gear gaps or the team if they win nothing because their bikes are unsuitable, so I suspect, just suspect, that these points may have been discusssed at some point.

Just because someone works in pro cycling or the cycling industry, doesn't mean they aren't immune from making mistakes.

Maybe I'm wrong and they will use a 1x setup. Maybe it is the way forward. I dunno...

Don't think you'll hear any of the riders complaining though. It will be the best bike they have ever ridden!

buckmulligan

Matthewfalle wrote:

gsk82 wrote:

Or they had no other sponsorship option.

Do people believe that cannondale riders wanted to ride tt bikes with disk brakes?

Perhaps the C/dale riders didn't mind?

They didn't ride them and seemingly did so out of preference, despite whatever Cannondale might like.

Take a look at Paddy Bevan's crash from the Tour de France; he's riding along on a standard rim-braked TT bike, crashes and the spare they take off the roof of the car is a disc-braked TT bike!

So he has the option of using a disc-braked bike and goes with the rim-brakes... in the most high profile race of the year.

ddraver

it does nothing to dispel the notion that roadies are awful luddites this thread...

FocusZing

I think the problem is the proof is in the pudding and if pro riders eat too much pudding they get fat and mess up their power to weight ratio. Jan the man would have given it a go, he liked pudding.