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I've signed up to quite a few crit races this year at castle combe and i'm currently running a compact 50/34 chainset. My most comfortable cadence is around the 100 - 105 mark. A few people have said that a bigger top gear would be better for crit races for the sprint at the end or to get on the wheel of someone (as there isn't any real climbing)
Or i could change my 12-25 for a 11-23 cassette as a 50x11 is bigger than a 53x12?
my aim is to move up to cat3 as quick as possible and there seems to be a lack of 4th cat only races locally (where it would be easier to pick up points)
Can you spin out 50-12 on the flat?
Or i could change my 12-25 for a 11-23 cassette as a 50x11 is bigger than a 53x12?
I think you've just answered your own question.
How about try it with what you've got and change if needed?
i can top out on my rollers at 30-32mph but i'm thinking you could cruise in the bunch around 28-29 and may need an out the saddle sprint
In exactly the same position now.I've put an 11-25 on the back and swapped the 34 inner ring for a 38t (you have to look around for a 110bcd 38t).Seems to be a good comprimise between a pure racing set up and something I can still do big climbing days on.11-50 still gives me about 55kph.....downhill!!!
50 x 12 will be fine, if it's your first crit and I'm wrong, I doubt it'll cost you the win, and you'll be able to buy a cassette before the next one.
Use an 11-23 cassette. Cheaper and easier than changing the chainset. The problem with compact chainsets is that they're designed to give the same range of gears as a triple + close-range cassette so the cassettes are really wide, 12-27 usually which leads to unpleasant jumps in ratios.
You won't be out the 50T chainring for the entire race so get the closest cassette you can and go for it!
50/11 at 110rpm is almost 40mph by my calculations. If you can sprint faster than this on the flat, then a) hats off and b) yes you do need a smaller cassette 🙂
The cassette will be loads cheaper as you will have to get new cranks too won't you?
The bunch is unlikely to be doing 48kph average in a cat4 crit!Well not round here anyway!!!
I know a pro-level rider and he ran 12 out back and 53 up front for the Tour series last year with no issues.
Do i need
a road forum?
what Stuey said
50/11 at 110rpm is almost 40mph by my calculations. If you can sprint faster than this on the flat, then a) hats off and b) yes you do need a smaller cassette
Well I am Bristol's rollapaluza champion 😉 (spinning around 205 @50mph on rollers)
50/11 at 110rpm is almost 40mph by my calculations. If you can sprint faster than this on the flat, then a) hats off and b) yes you do need a smaller cassette
I've got a 12-25 cassette. What's 50x12 at 110?
39.1mph at 120rpm (on 23c tyres).Sheldon is your friend :o)
Just a bit of personal experience -
I ride with a compact, I actually have no idea what the smallest sprocket is on my casette though. 25mm tyres. I never really found I've spun out even hitting the mid 40s (mph) point.
Our typical crit like chaingangs hit 30mph (not including sprint) but typically average 26-28mph. Again I've never found myself lacking in gears (just legs). Normally have 2 or 3 smaller sprockets to move into.
I can sprint to about 35mph although I rarely manage to look down at the speedo during a sprint.
Personally I'd have a go at one first because you may just be wasting your money for marginal gains. And after 1 hour of racing you may find you aren't even in the running for the sprint.
I often think people suggest standard doubles because that what they think you should be riding rather than what may actually be more suitable.
That's the thing. This is the only 4cat only crit race at castle combe. The rest are e/1/2/3/4 and there's no chance of me getting any points in those. My aim is 3rd cat by the end of the season.
Fitness wise i know i'm fairly good but as a lot of people say racing is a different ball game and many others would have trained loads thoughout the winter. I'm a relatively good climber and have got a good jump as well + there are few others in the club that are strong riders where we can work together
I know what everyone is saying about having the gears to hit 30-35 mph but using the car analogy it's better to change gear at say 85/90 rpm than trying to spin at 100 to get to 115.
yes yes, i'm overthinking it all i know.
Will need to find some 4th cat only races but they are seriously lacking around here
I don't like compact because of the jump between the rings. I use triple for training normally, but coming to Munich I put the standard double on because it's a nicer crankset than my triple and it's dead flat here. Having said that, even on a windless day at 20-22mph I am spinning away at 90rpm in the little ring. Riding in the big ring on the flat (without a silly chain line) is hard work and constitutes a training session.
Btw whilst 110rpm is quick it should be fairly easy in a short sprint I'd have thought?