Thanks. All this is grist for the mental mill. I realized after reading your reply that my interest in comparing different crank lengths implies the ability to use different gear ratios, so at least your reply cleared that up. But with multiple sprockets, I think that certain lengths may be better for certain types of riding; where lugging through sand is involved, I suspect that longer to a point is better, at least for my mashing style of riding. But this judgment is subject to change without notice.
Curious: how deep can sand be and still be rideable for you? I don't mean short boggy patches, but extended surfaces. I can lug through 3" sand, gearing down to the bottom on the big ring (46") for short distances, but when extended distances are more than 2" deep I start looking for other routes. This is very dry, very fine river silt that is heavy enough to impede motion but fine enough that it gives no support at all. On Sun, Jul 8, 2018 at 3:27 PM, 'Deacon Patrick' via RBW Owners Bunch < [email protected]> wrote: > Hey Patrick, > Others have more years experience with fixed gear trail riding than I do, > so you may want to widen your question to include them? > > Short answer: Ride whatchagot. It’ll learn ya whatchlike. I’ve gone middle > (173), down from 175 SS. Too long by fixed recommendations, but my long > legs do like the lever. I also like the easier spin of the 173 vs 175. > > Longer answer, here’s my experience so far: > > When I shifted to fixed I tried the 175s on there and did great, but had > no reference to anything different. When I switched cranks to Silver 173s I > noticed these differences: slight loss of leverage (a tooth or two?) but > far easier faster spinning. I got a bit stronger and am very happy with > both climbs and descents with my current gearing. My “staple” ride has > 2,000 feet of climbing in ten miles (and the shocking 2000 feet descending > back home, again over ten miles. Grin.). So not super steep, but not flat > either. It includes 1/3 single track, 1/3 dirt road/MUP, and 1/3 asphalt. > The trail part is the steepest and most rocky/rooty/technical part. > > If I went to 170, would I have fewer strikes. Clearly. Is it a measurable, > material amount? No idea. I’d likely want to gear down slightly, but I’d > spin more easily, so speed would likely remain about the same. For grins, > I’ve wondered about 165 to test. > > Sand and snow ride fairly similarly, depending on condition/consistancy. I > find overall technique is more important than anything (weight back to > float the front wheel and give the rear extra traction.) That’s trickier > when stomping, but easily learned. The biggest issue is building muscles to > have both strength and endurance. > > Related, of course, is pedal choice. I am still playing with my pedals to > find what I like for clearence and foot feel. Too wide, clearence issues. > Too narrow, unhappy feet (less an issues with leather sole inserts). I > currently am using MKS Sylvan Touring with toe clips/straps and really like > them, but they are prone to more pedal strikes due to width and bottom half > stack height. I’ll be testing out the MKS Urban next week. > > I’ve basically decided that pedal strikes (at slow speed, as required for > rocky, rooty trails anyway) are a given with fixed gear trail riding (heck, > they happened with a free wheel too — gotta move the pedals to climb unless > your hoofin’ it with a freewheel too. Grin.). The biggest hits my pedals > take are bikepacking during LCG. I only LCG if the trail is too steep or > too rocky, and round here those two usually go togther. Pedals always > turning, faster because of the lowest gear, more pedal strikes, and the > bike weighs 75 pounds. I lift it for the strikes I see, if I can (not > always possible on some terrain, it’s all I can do to keep the bike going > up the trail). > > I’ve also decided MKS pedals are the best combination of value (quality > and price), given that I destroyed bearings on my VP pedals within six > months very consistantly (often 2-3 months). MKS take a beating and keep on > spinning without complaint. I like that in a pedal. Grin. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > -- Resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, and letters that get interviews. By-the-hour resume and LinkedIn coaching. Other professional writing services. http://www.resumespecialties.com/ Patrick Moore Alburquerque, New Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique ************************************************************************** ************** *Auditis an me ludit amabilis insania?* -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
