Perspective re-alignment: take five deep breaths and close your eyes: imagine Fausto Coppi climbing the Stelvio in a 48/18 -- my flatland cruising gear!! -- [Even though the Stelvio is two weeks away, I am already looking forward to it. I was flipping through May 2012 ProCycling Mag (the one with Ivan Basso on the cover in front of the Stelvio). On page 58, they recap the 1953 climb where Fausto started the legend and won the Giro. The thing that really stands out is he climbed the route in a massive 48x18 when the road was still gravel. I'd want a 34x25. 48x18 Doesn't really seem human.....]
I used to obsess about gearing: during boring staff meetings I'd work out gear combinations on scratch paper. When 9 and 10 speed drivetrains came out in the late '90s and early oughts I'd fret about whether a 2X10 was better than a close ratio 3X7. I used to favor close ratio triples. I liked a 1X10 on my gofast. But slowly I began to see the vanity of this worldly worry and slowly I began to simplify my life with -- fixed drivetrains! Life became so much more simple and rewarding. And I realized: It doesn't matter! Talk about "just ride" and "no shoes ruze! Just jettison your cogsets and be free! You have nothing to lose but your chains! (That was Marx and Engels, but what they really meant was: "Keep your chains! Just lose the extra cogs!) Slightly less feverishly: Me, I like simplicity and low dish and narrow Q, so, for Me, a 2X7 is better than a 1X10. But give me a downhill gear of 90", a low of 40" and a 60, 65, 70, and 75, and I'm happy. Again, if all racers had to use Merckx's gearing, would they really be unhappy? On Thu, Jan 3, 2013 at 9:12 AM, Kelly <[email protected]> wrote: > I think to a point you are right. However in my opinion everything > evolves. I am very happy with 9-speed stuff. I was also happy with my 10 > speed stuff. The only reason I am on 9-speed instead of 10 is friction > shifting and chain life. > I know that the one tooth jumps in fast group rides for me were a life > saver for keeping up and maintaing contact with the stronger faster packs I > was riding with at the time. Even in slower casual group rides it's nice > to have a wide choice of cruising gears. (not needed but nice) > > Actually I'm hoping for some nice electronic shifting buttons / system, > belt drive, powered by my dyno hub. I'll just add my bike to my AAA card > and call it a day. :) Oh man.. I forgot to order my power handle bars and > heated saddle. > > I'm guilty and will take blame .. but I am also not missing 5 speed > drivetrains.. my opinion only and not saying I'm right,, just me. > > Kelly > > > > On Thursday, January 3, 2013 12:31:21 AM UTC-6, Michael wrote: >> >> For no more 5 speed or 6 speed freewheels in production? >> >> Been reading Rivreaders and less gears on the back wheel sounds great. >> But I have seen the readers talking about the dwindling availabilty of >> these. >> >> I am guessing that as racers needed more narrow jumps, it has grown to >> 11-speed cassettes. >> I guess that as the bike companies are pushing racing gear for regular >> cyclists at shops, un-racers riders are taking the bait so all the demand >> is for the latest racing tech stuff, causing the demise of the 5/6/7 speed >> freewheels/cassettes? >> > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/ncH076z_6ekJ. > > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. > -- ------------------------- Patrick Moore, Albuquerque, NM, USA For professional resumes, contact Patrick Moore, ACRW http://resumespecialties.com/index.html ------------------------- -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
