Michigander Cross

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Comment by Joe Lekovish on November 4, 2009 at 1:51pm

12x27 in the back.

Comment by Joe Lekovish on November 4, 2009 at 1:51pm

I'm running a 38 small chain ring and almost never need the 48 big ring......

Comment by Paul Steigerwald on November 4, 2009 at 1:49pm

I just looked up the gear calculator on the Sheldon Brown site and here are the results! Absolute confusion... I suppose I am trying to figure out if I would lose too many options by going from a 36/46 up front and a 12/25 in back (that is how my bike came) to a 42 up front and an 11/28 in the back. Seeing as math has never been my strong suite I would just be better off trying out Surly Bastard's bike and seeing how it feels...

So far the fastest I remember going at a race this year was the straight-away paved section at Lower Huron. If I remember correctly I was in the big ring and pretty far over on the cassette during that section of the race. I don't use a computer on my 'cross bike and power isn't an option right now, so it is mostly speculation.

But like Sweet Chicken said the course at Vet's was tough and I was using the "granniest" gear I had in spots.

I have pretty much used the high and the low ends of my gearing so changing things seems iffy. I should probably just get some bigger quads and stop thinking so much.

Comment by Surly Bastard on November 4, 2009 at 1:06pm

I just started using a single ring this year and I think it rocks. From what you read though it would seem that the 42 is where it's at, but it's too big for my old legs. Something smaller works better - and I think if you look at the real world you'll find that rings are commonly anywhere between 38 to 40. Also 9 or 10 in the back makes no difference. Ten speeds is just one faster, right? And an 11 cog on the bottom? Man you must be one strong dude!

Comment by Paul Steigerwald on November 4, 2009 at 11:48am

I was hoping someone would comment on the single ring idea. I have talked to people who have done it with 9 speed set-ups, I wonder if it works OK with 10 speed? Does it wear out a chain faster? It seems like the most common ring for this is a 42, does anyone have experience with this? You would need a chain watcher and chain guard to avoid dropped chains right? An 11-28 in back would seem to make sense, but I am grabbing at straws here...

It is a moot point for right now because Shimano is replacing the shifter sight unseen, but it is interesting to think about nonetheless.

Comment by SweetChicken on November 4, 2009 at 11:30am

oh yeah, thanks for the reminder, still gotta clean the bike.... crap.

nice pics Curt. not having a personal cheering section means I have to rely on everyone elses pics. This is still a novelty for me so pics are still cool.

Paul, or anybody, what single ring would you go to? I think if I went single front I would have to bump up to an 11-28 in back. I was barely chugging up that big hill on Sunday....

Comment by Gary Olson on November 4, 2009 at 6:42am

Thanks for sharing the great pics, Curt - and nice work last weekend!

Comment by Rick morris on November 4, 2009 at 5:04am

Just a friendly reminder to all Michigan crossers that the first IceCross race takes place this Sunday in Traverse City. So if your coming up to do Iceman or didn't get in come and check out the race. The weather is looking good and we have some great prizes including a Cannondale frameset. We also have a fun course that should be running fast this weekend.

Comment by Cameron Marshall on November 3, 2009 at 6:03pm

Haha, regardless, I still had to clean my bike rather thoroughly afterwards

Comment by Curt P on November 3, 2009 at 5:23pm

Pictures of both days.

http://picasaweb.google.com/mtbfrk/VetsPark09#

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