Changing my chainrings - help

This past year I've returned to riding after about 20 years of inactivity. I put about 1,200 miles on my old schwinn 564 Aluminum this past summer and loved every minute of it. However I find that the 53/39 8speed 13/28 is a little too demanding at my age (66). Any recommendations on what to switch to? I believe the rear wheel has a 126mm spread , so I don't think I can go to a 9 speed rear cassette.

Also, the ride is a bit harsh on my old bones. Any ideas on how to soften the ride up?

Thanks

Tom

On 1/1/2014 11:57 AM, Thomas Lewis wrote:
This past year I've returned to riding after about 20 years of inactivity. I put about 1,200 miles on my old schwinn 564 Aluminum this past summer and loved every minute of it. However I find that the 53/39 8speed 13/28 is a little too demanding at my age (66). Any recommendations on what to switch to? I believe the rear wheel has a 126mm spread , so I don't think I can go to a 9 speed rear cassette.

Also, the ride is a bit harsh on my old bones. Any ideas on how to soften the ride up?

Thanks

Tom


There are of course many approaches, but one popular path is
a compact crank with 34x48. Your present front changer will
do that range[1] so you only need change crank and crank
bearing. Start at $49.95 and $29.95 respectively.

[1] Assuming it all runs well now. Lower the changer to 2mm
above the outer ring teeth.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org/
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

AMuzi wrote:
On 1/1/2014 11:57 AM, Thomas Lewis wrote:
This past year I've returned to riding after about 20 years of
inactivity. I put about 1,200 miles on my old schwinn 564 Aluminum this
past summer and loved every minute of it. However I find that the 53/39
8speed 13/28 is a little too demanding at my age (66). Any
recommendations on what to switch to? I believe the rear wheel has a
126mm spread , so I don't think I can go to a 9 speed rear cassette.

Also, the ride is a bit harsh on my old bones. Any ideas on how to soften the ride up?

Thanks

Tom


There are of course many approaches, but one popular path is a compact
crank with 34x48. Your present front changer will do that range[1] so you
only need change crank and crank bearing. Start at $49.95 and $29.95 respectively.

[1] Assuming it all runs well now. Lower the changer to 2mm above the outer ring teeth.

I was going to suggest moving to a compact crank as well. As long as it
fits with your riding style. I'm hanging on to my 53/39 a while longer.

For the comfort issue I'd suggest some of the wider turns that allow lower
tire pressures. I'd recommend HED but there are others.

--
duane

On 02/01/14 04:57, Thomas Lewis wrote:
This past year I've returned to riding after about 20 years of
inactivity. I put about 1,200 miles on my old schwinn 564 Aluminum
this past summer and loved every minute of it. However I find that
the 53/39 8speed 13/28 is a little too demanding at my age (66). Any
recommendations on what to switch to? I believe the rear wheel has a
126mm spread , so I don't think I can go to a 9 speed rear cassette.

Also, the ride is a bit harsh on my old bones. Any ideas on how to
soften the ride up?

You could use wider tyres at lower pressure, if your frame and forks
will allow it. Even going from, say, 23mm to 25mm would help some. If
you could fit a 28mm tyre, you'd be much better off. This will help
your hands and backside.

A seat with more cushion would help your backside, but would possibly
add more weight than a change of tyres, and won't help your hands.

--
JS

On Wednesday, January 1, 2014 12:57:00 PM UTC-5, Thomas Lewis wrote:
This past year I've returned to riding after about 20 years of inactivity.. I put about 1,200 miles on my old schwinn 564 Aluminum this past summer and loved every minute of it. However I find that the 53/39 8speed 13/28 is a little too demanding at my age (66). Any recommendations on what to switch to? I believe the rear wheel has a 126mm spread , so I don't think I can go to a 9 speed rear cassette.



Also, the ride is a bit harsh on my old bones. Any ideas on how to soften the ride up?



Thanks



Tom

................

loosen the spokes, lube the flange holes with Finish Line Dry Lube inside and out after cleaning.

when you ride out head into the wind and do intervals.

stretch....try EXRX.COM and the public library....strengthen your vastus medialis and do chondromalcia exercises.

ask the manufacturers for their soft ride tires thru email.

the market moved away from your spec.

10 years ago 2-3 soft roders...esp the old fashioned Kenda 3 rib.

Specialized had a Turbo with a smooth deep soft rubber in a nice round carcass. super.sported clincher wires off a hay bailer.

The old Pasela had a woven cotten sidewall with a soft tread.

and the 27" Conti T was thick grip and ROUND. Nice tire. NA

If you go with wide and treaddy like an auto tire you're wasting energy you can't spare.

Andy Muzi sells tires...

On 02/01/14 10:58, wrote:
On Wednesday, January 1, 2014 12:57:00 PM UTC-5, Thomas Lewis wrote:
This past year I've returned to riding after about 20 years of inactivity. I put about 1,200 miles on my old schwinn 564 Aluminum this past summer and loved every minute of it. However I find that the 53/39 8speed 13/28 is a little too demanding at my age (66). Any recommendations on what to switch to? I believe the rear wheel has a 126mm spread , so I don't think I can go to a 9 speed rear cassette.



Also, the ride is a bit harsh on my old bones. Any ideas on how to soften the ride up?



Thanks



Tom

...............

loosen the spokes, lube the flange holes with Finish Line Dry Lube inside and out after cleaning.

Do not do this. Loose spokes will not support the rim adequately.
Loose spokes will likely allow the nipples to unwind.


when you ride out head into the wind and do intervals.

stretch....try EXRX.COM and the public library....strengthen your vastus medialis and do chondromalcia exercises.

ask the manufacturers for their soft ride tires thru email.

the market moved away from your spec.

10 years ago 2-3 soft roders...esp the old fashioned Kenda 3 rib.

Specialized had a Turbo with a smooth deep soft rubber in a nice round carcass. super.sported clincher wires off a hay bailer.

The old Pasela had a woven cotten sidewall with a soft tread.

and the 27" Conti T was thick grip and ROUND. Nice tire. NA

If you go with wide and treaddy like an auto tire you're wasting energy you can't spare.

Slightly wider slicks make so little difference in effort required,
there's no downside for the recreational rider.

Andy Muzi sells tires...


--
JS

James wrote:
On 02/01/14 04:57, Thomas Lewis wrote:
This past year I've returned to riding after about 20 years of
inactivity. I put about 1,200 miles on my old schwinn 564 Aluminum
this past summer and loved every minute of it. However I find that
the 53/39 8speed 13/28 is a little too demanding at my age (66). Any
recommendations on what to switch to? I believe the rear wheel has a
126mm spread , so I don't think I can go to a 9 speed rear cassette.

Also, the ride is a bit harsh on my old bones. Any ideas on how to
soften the ride up?

You could use wider tyres at lower pressure, if your frame and forks
will allow it. Even going from, say, 23mm to 25mm would help some. If
you could fit a 28mm tyre, you'd be much better off. This will help
your hands and backside.


Same tires with wider rims if your wallet will allow it.

A seat with more cushion would help your backside, but would possibly
add more weight than a change of tyres, and won't help your hands.

I'm skeptical about cushioned seats. Seems to me they will compress and
lose whatever benefit the cushion offered. I'd go with a body geometry
type seat that worked for your sit bone. There are several. Consult there
LBS.

BTW, returning to the bike is an excellent decision. Welcome back.

--
duane

On 02/01/14 12:18, Duane wrote:
James wrote:
On 02/01/14 04:57, Thomas Lewis wrote:
This past year I've returned to riding after about 20 years of
inactivity. I put about 1,200 miles on my old schwinn 564 Aluminum
this past summer and loved every minute of it. However I find that
the 53/39 8speed 13/28 is a little too demanding at my age (66). Any
recommendations on what to switch to? I believe the rear wheel has a
126mm spread , so I don't think I can go to a 9 speed rear cassette.

Also, the ride is a bit harsh on my old bones. Any ideas on how to
soften the ride up?

You could use wider tyres at lower pressure, if your frame and forks
will allow it. Even going from, say, 23mm to 25mm would help some. If
you could fit a 28mm tyre, you'd be much better off. This will help
your hands and backside.


Same tires with wider rims if your wallet will allow it.

True. Slightly wider rims and tyres even better.


A seat with more cushion would help your backside, but would possibly
add more weight than a change of tyres, and won't help your hands.

I'm skeptical about cushioned seats. Seems to me they will compress and
lose whatever benefit the cushion offered. I'd go with a body geometry
type seat that worked for your sit bone. There are several. Consult there
LBS.

The cushion doesn't need to come from compressible foam. Some seats
have a more flexible structure (rails and body) underneath whatever foam
is there.

BTW, returning to the bike is an excellent decision. Welcome back.


Agree.

--
JS

DUH heuristic.

take 1/4 turn off standard. James will unwind only.

slicks wider than what ?

ureating too much wallabee again.

On 02/01/14 13:57, wrote:
DUH heuristic.

take 1/4 turn off standard. James will unwind only.

Spoke elasticity is not changed by spoke tension.

Avocado has unwound already.

slicks wider than what ?

Wider than whatever the OP is presently using. I was guessing 23mm as
the de facto standard.

ureating too much wallabee again.

You are not eating enough.

--
JS