Gear Questions...53/39 crankset vs. 50/34 crankset.
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As it's the highest gear possible on a "normal" bike (one without custom {over}sized rings) and the same gear that top pro racers use for going "very fast" - either downhill or in a sprint. If you can't use it on your rides (I couldn't) then it would be a wasted gear. It would be the equivalent of me having a 500lb barbell in my basement - useless.
For most people - climbing hills. If you're not fit or not strong then, yes, it might be for your high speed cruising.
Only you can answer that one. We're all of different strengths. If you give us some idea of what your true average speed** is, then we can give you an opinion of the possible gear you should be using.
**Average speed of ride from leaving home to getting back home.
Most cyclists can better use a 50/34 than a 53/39. If you need 53/39 you will already know that you need it.
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335 Posts
Lots of gear ratio calculators out there this one is my favorite
Mike Sherman's Bicycle Gear Calculator
Given the same cassette in the back:
53/39 will give you higher gears - harder to pedal, but more speed
50/34 will give you lower gears - easier to pedal, but less speed
Alot depends on your fitness and where you ride.
Pancake flat, no wind, high level of fitness 53/39
Hilly, long climbs, windy, low level of fitness 50/34
You can always change rear cluster as well!
What do you consider high speed cruising? It would be helpful.
Mike Sherman's Bicycle Gear Calculator
Given the same cassette in the back:
53/39 will give you higher gears - harder to pedal, but more speed
50/34 will give you lower gears - easier to pedal, but less speed
Alot depends on your fitness and where you ride.
Pancake flat, no wind, high level of fitness 53/39
Hilly, long climbs, windy, low level of fitness 50/34
You can always change rear cluster as well!
What do you consider high speed cruising? It would be helpful.
Thanks for the info. I'm new to Road bike but doing MTBing since last September, 2012
I'm kind of weak rider and still need a lot of training to become decently strong. I think my option in crankset will be 50/34.
'...What do you consider high speed cruising?...'
I really don't know since my 1st road bike is still under construction. I got the frame & fork/wheel/bar & stem/saddle & post only.
'...Most cyclists can better use a 50/34 than a 53/39. If you need 53/39 you will already know that you need it. ...'
I'm absolutely belong to the 'most cyclists' group.
Thanks.....
I'm kind of weak rider and still need a lot of training to become decently strong. I think my option in crankset will be 50/34.
'...What do you consider high speed cruising?...'
I really don't know since my 1st road bike is still under construction. I got the frame & fork/wheel/bar & stem/saddle & post only.
'...Most cyclists can better use a 50/34 than a 53/39. If you need 53/39 you will already know that you need it. ...'
I'm absolutely belong to the 'most cyclists' group.
Thanks.....
Joined
·
335 Posts
Good luck and have fun. Your welcome.
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2,642 Posts
You will almost never use a 53/11 combination. Certainly not in the foreseeable future. I'm betting that you won't even be using your 50/11 very much. Some racers in the lower cats don't run anything smaller than a 12 on the rear, depending on the course. And in fact, 50/11 is a higher gear ratio than 53/12.
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