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'88-'89 Mountain Bike for commuting
I've set up my mountain bike ('88-'89 Alpine Monitor pass all Shimano Deore
Drive train) for commuting work. For short distances (5 to 6 miles) it works great; however, for longer distances I'm finding that the gearing is a little too low as I'm only averaging 10.6 per hour. If I set my gearing on my largest chainwheel (I think it's a 43) and the rear on the fourth (rear is 6 speed factory default ratios) riding the bike over distance is fairly comfortable; however, my speed averages around 12 miles an hour which is pretty slow. This raises the question is it possible to put a road triple on the front and narrow down the rear cog set to increase overall speed? Would this be feasible or am I better off trading off for a hybrid bike like a new Specialized Sirrus or one of the new Breezer's? Thanks |
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#2
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'88-'89 Mountain Bike for commuting
"John L. Lucci" wrote in message
... I've set up my mountain bike ('88-'89 Alpine Monitor pass all Shimano Deore Drive train) for commuting work. For short distances (5 to 6 miles) it works great; however, for longer distances I'm finding that the gearing is a little too low as I'm only averaging 10.6 per hour. If I set my gearing on my largest chainwheel (I think it's a 43) and the rear on the fourth (rear is 6 speed factory default ratios) riding the bike over distance is fairly comfortable; however, my speed averages around 12 miles an hour which is pretty slow. This raises the question is it possible to put a road triple on the front and narrow down the rear cog set to increase overall speed? Would this be feasible or am I better off trading off for a hybrid bike like a new Specialized Sirrus or one of the new Breezer's? Thanks I think as soon as you start to change something it will setoff a component upgrade chainreaction, as you find you need to upgrade other components to get the first one working. For example, putting on road chainrings or a crank, usually means you need a new front derailuer too. Which means a new cable at the least as well, and then you find your shifter isn't too good so you need new shifters too. The rear wheel gears for a six speed might be a problem to get or upgrade or change, which leads to a new rear wheel for a 8 or 9 speed setup, which leads to a new rear derailuer, chain, cable and shifter too. So now you probably have spent enough to have paid for a new bike with change left over as well. I would go for a new bike, although the ones you mentioned are great, I am partial to the Trek 7000 series bikes myself. But a nice touring bike or something along that line or maybe a cyclecross bike with street tires would be cool too. I use a steel framed touing bike for my commutes (23 miles one way), but it is fun to use my road bike for this too sometimes. |
#3
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'88-'89 Mountain Bike for commuting
John L. Lucci wrote:
I've set up my mountain bike ('88-'89 Alpine Monitor pass all Shimano Deore Drive train) for commuting work. If I set my gearing on my largest chainwheel (I think it's a 43) and the rear on the fourth (rear is 6 speed factory default ratios) riding the bike over distance is fairly comfortable; however, my speed averages around 12 miles an hour If you're using the 4th rear cog, your not using your highest gear anyway. Have you switched the tires to high pressure slicks? That would be the first step. Then, if the gears aren't high enough, see if you can get a cassette with a 12 or 11 tooth small cog. Art Harris |
#4
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'88-'89 Mountain Bike for commuting
"John L. Lucci" wrote:
I've set up my mountain bike ('88-'89 Alpine Monitor pass all Shimano Deore Drive train) for commuting work. For short distances (5 to 6 miles) it works great; however, for longer distances I'm finding that the gearing is a little too low as I'm only averaging 10.6 per hour. If I set my gearing on my largest chainwheel (I think it's a 43) and the rear on the fourth (rear is 6 speed factory default ratios) riding the bike over distance is fairly comfortable; however, my speed averages around 12 miles an hour which is pretty slow. This raises the question is it possible to put a road triple on the front and narrow down the rear cog set to increase overall speed? Would this be feasible or am I better off trading off for a hybrid bike like a new Specialized Sirrus or one of the new Breezer's? I think you'll find that it's not the gearing that's limiting your speed... the final drive ratios that I use to ride "at speed" are available on just about any bike with multiple gears (including MTBs). In other words, I could go as fast on just about any bike, all other things being equal (which they aren't - but we're discussing drivetrain choices). Mark Hickey Habanero Cycles http://www.habcycles.com Home of the $795 ti frame |
#5
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'88-'89 Mountain Bike for commuting
On Sun, 16 Apr 2006 05:15:54 GMT, "John L. Lucci"
wrote: I've set up my mountain bike ('88-'89 Alpine Monitor pass all Shimano Deore Drive train) for commuting work. For short distances (5 to 6 miles) it works great; however, for longer distances I'm finding that the gearing is a little too low as I'm only averaging 10.6 per hour. If I set my gearing on my largest chainwheel (I think it's a 43) and the rear on the fourth (rear is 6 speed factory default ratios) riding the bike over distance is fairly comfortable; however, my speed averages around 12 miles an hour which is pretty slow. This raises the question is it possible to put a road triple on the front and narrow down the rear cog set to increase overall speed? Would this be feasible or am I better off trading off for a hybrid bike like a new Specialized Sirrus or one of the new Breezer's? Thanks Hi, as others have mentioned, there are a variety of options to pursue. Starting with a road tire, Nashbar usually has some low priced slick style tires in your size. Second thing you could do would be to change out freewheel/cassette, to one with higher gears. Not knowing what you have now, makes it hard to make recommendations, for this or chainrings. One thing you can do, that costs nothing, is to educate yourself on the gears you have. Sheldon has a page where you can enter your info and find out about gear inches, gain ratios, and speed at various cadences[rpms of crank]. You may find that learning to ride at a higher cadence will get you the speed you want. Over the years, my comfort range has gone from the low 70s, to the mid 90s. Spinning up to a 100, seemed crazy three years ago, now no big deal. My cadence went up from riding and was helped by spin bike classes, at the Y. We were doing spin up exercises where I reached about 140 and could spin comforably at 120. I have yet to achieve those kind of numbers on the road, but the improvements that I have made are worthwhile. One question, why don't you use the fifth and/or sixth gears in back? Life is Good! Jeff |
#6
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'88-'89 Mountain Bike for commuting
John L. Lucci wrote: I've set up my mountain bike ('88-'89 Alpine Monitor pass all Shimano Deore Drive train) for commuting work. For short distances (5 to 6 miles) it works great; however, for longer distances I'm finding that the gearing is a little too low as I'm only averaging 10.6 per hour. If I set my gearing on my largest chainwheel (I think it's a 43) and the rear on the fourth (rear is 6 speed factory default ratios) riding the bike over distance is fairly comfortable; however, my speed averages around 12 miles an hour which is pretty slow. This raises the question is it possible to put a road triple on the front and narrow down the rear cog set to increase overall speed? Would this be feasible or am I better off trading off for a hybrid bike like a new Specialized Sirrus or one of the new Breezer's? Thanks John, I did pretty much the same for my beater/commuter and had a similar concern. I found a great crankset at Harris that gives you a little better gearing for the streets. See the Sugino XD300 on this page: http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/cranks.html It is a 46/36/26 crank (listed as a "touring" crank), but I have found it perfect to get the slightly higher gearing. Nice crank at a very good price. And, as others have pointed out, get some nice slick tires. Happy Easter to all! Cheers, Bill |
#7
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'88-'89 Mountain Bike for commuting
On Sun, 16 Apr 2006 05:15:54 GMT, "John L. Lucci"
wrote: I've set up my mountain bike ('88-'89 Alpine Monitor pass all Shimano Deore Drive train) for commuting work. What changes did you make? For short distances (5 to 6 miles) it works great; however, for longer distances I'm finding that the gearing is a little too low as I'm only averaging 10.6 per hour. If I set my gearing on my largest chainwheel (I think it's a 43) Count them. It's more likely to be 46 or 48, but might be 44 or 42. and the rear on the fourth (rear is 6 speed factory default ratios) riding the bike over distance is fairly comfortable; however, my speed averages around 12 miles an hour which is pretty slow. For a rider without a lot of daily time in the saddle, that's a typical figure. This raises the question is it possible to put a road triple on the front and narrow down the rear cog set to increase overall speed? Possible to do, yes. Would it do what you state? In my opinion, no, in this instance. Would this be feasible or am I better off trading off for a hybrid bike like a new Specialized Sirrus or one of the new Breezer's? Although switching to a more street-oriented bike might allow a higher speed, there are other options available. First, be aware that the exact sizes of the gears are pretty much irrelevant; the ratios are the important bit, and since you're not getting into the top combinations now, the fact that the majority of the gears are too low is not going to make a difference. I think your problems lie elsewhere. I would suggest starting by swapping out the tires to 26 x 1.5" slicks; this will probably allow you to shift up to the tallest gear combinations and achieve a higher running speed right away. If, after riding for several weeks, you find that you're now spinning up in top gear and have developed the real need for a higher top gear, it would be time to look at swapping out the freewheel for a unit with a smaller high gear sprocket, or swapping out the large sprocket in the front for something with more teeth. Right now, I think the real limiting factors are your tires and your own level of conditioning. I would advise leaving the gears alone for now. -- Typoes are a feature, not a bug. Some gardening required to reply via email. Words processed in a facility that contains nuts. |
#8
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'88-'89 Mountain Bike for commuting
"John L. Lucci" a écrit dans le message de
news: ... I've set up my mountain bike ('88-'89 Alpine Monitor pass all Shimano Deore Drive train) for commuting work. For short distances (5 to 6 miles) it works great; however, for longer distances I'm finding that the gearing is a little too low as I'm only averaging 10.6 per hour. If I set my gearing on my largest chainwheel (I think it's a 43) and the rear on the fourth (rear is 6 speed factory default ratios) riding the bike over distance is fairly comfortable; however, my speed averages around 12 miles an hour which is pretty slow. This raises the question is it possible to put a road triple on the front and narrow down the rear cog set to increase overall speed? Would this be feasible or am I better off trading off for a hybrid bike like a new Specialized Sirrus or one of the new Breezer's? Thanks I"d say your three best bets are 1) Get in better condition 2) Get tires that roll better 3) Get clipless pedals. If after that you find yourself riding in the large chainring/small sproket combination and spinning out, then I'd worry about the bike's gearing. |
#9
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'88-'89 Mountain Bike for commuting
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
In article , Earl Bollinger wrote: "John L. Lucci" wrote in message .. . I've set up my mountain bike ('88-'89 Alpine Monitor pass all Shimano Deore Drive train) for commuting work. For short distances (5 to 6 miles) it works great; however, for longer distances I'm finding that the gearing is a little too low as I'm only averaging 10.6 per hour. If I set my gearing on my largest chainwheel (I think it's a 43) and the rear on the fourth (rear is 6 speed factory default ratios) riding the bike over distance is fairly comfortable; however, my speed averages around 12 miles an hour which is pretty slow. This raises the question is it possible to put a road triple on the front and narrow down the rear cog set to increase overall speed? Would this be feasible or am I better off trading off for a hybrid bike like a new Specialized Sirrus or one of the new Breezer's? Thanks I think as soon as you start to change something it will setoff a component upgrade chainreaction, as you find you need to upgrade other components to get the first one working. For example, putting on road chainrings or a crank, usually means you need a new front derailuer too. Which means a new cable at the least as well, and then you find your shifter isn't too good so you need new shifters too. The rear wheel gears for a six speed might be a problem to get or upgrade or change, which leads to a new rear wheel for a 8 or 9 speed setup, which leads to a new rear derailuer, chain, cable and shifter too. So now you probably have spent enough to have paid for a new bike with change left over as well. _ That may all happen, but it's not necessary. That's likely a pre-indexed or at least easily turned off indexed bike and all that stuff is pretty interchangeable. I use 9sp cranks and rings with my 89 vintage deore shifters with no problems at all. _ You might try just getting a slightly bigger big ring, but gears don't make you fast. Riding makes you fast, on a bike like that with big fat tires, 12mph is a respectable speed if you haven't been riding much. You could buy a bigger chainring, but I would start with the tires. Get some nice 26" tires with minimal or no tread. _ Booker C. Bense -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 2.6.2 iQCVAwUBREPTs2TWTAjn5N/lAQEKNwP/egC9ZLTAC1XJd7S3lu28nac3Phg8oU+o Ol5NPCPm5v3blIjTwTgpS0ZEvFiclAlLNJ2H/hMB2E4k8H1y50tz7T5NOw/PftUy sSK+YyIV9p9mIkQynSwvGY+m8se4mflxFtxpen5LKJWfvV7X2b btwfzTdtGg552q LD3Q0O6GFQs= =djnz -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- |
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