Question: I’m 65 and just purchased a “comfort” bike. I last rode 50 years ago. It’s incredible how bikes have changed. I have no idea how to operate the thing! The shop set the saddle too high so I can’t sit on it and put my foot flat on the ground. And shifting is a mystery….
Question: What gears are they pushing? They look like they’re flying. —Jack G. Pros often use a 55×11-tooth high gear for time trials. On flat or rolling stages they might have 53/39T chainrings with an 11-21T cassette. In moderate mountains they switch to a large cog of 23T or 25T. These days, they’ve joined the big-gear…
By Coach Fred Matheny You’re hanging out after the ride and someone says, “Man, that hill was steep. I was in 34×25 the whole way up but spun out the 11 going down!” If you’re new to cycling, gear designations can seem like advanced mathematical theory. When riders start throwing these numbers around, you don’t…
Question: I have 170-mm crankarms on my road bike and 172.5 mm on my mountain bike. Is it correct to have longer MTB cranks than road cranks? I ride both bikes regularly and notice that my legs are often sore when on the road bike. Could it be from the crank length difference? — Laura M….
SRAM’s much-anticipated 10-speed group, dubbed “Force,”is now on the road. It was used by one sponsored rider in the recent Tour of California, and it’s expected to be under a dozen more at the April 6-9 Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, CA. That will also be the first time consumers are able to see and…
