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For a run-of-the-mill adult road-going bicycle, what's the ratio between the chain wheel(pedals) and the rear wheel sprocket in top gear? I'm going to assume 26"diameter wheels. I want to be able to get some idea of how far I "travel" on my exercise bicycle.
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Bit tricky to count but my Carrera Subway (26") has 44 on the big cog and 12 (I think) on the smallest cog (7th gear). But I probably spend most of my time on the flat in 5th, which has 16 teeth.
Of course it would also depend on our relative fitness levels - wouldn't you probably get just as (in-)accurate an answer by estimating your typical speed on a bike (15?) and multiply that by how long you've been going?
Last edited by: Focus on Sat 29 Jan 11 at 14:06
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Most top gears on non-racing bikes are probably about 100 - 110 inch equivalent. So on 26" wheels that gives about 1:4 ratio on pedal turns to wheel turns. No idea if this is any way comparable to an exercise bike! There the ratio of pedals to wheel turns is somewhat irrelvant as he wheel is loaded separately, and you should just crank the load up to the level you want to work at to give a cadence of about 90 RPM (if you're fit!). It's quite difficult to consistently pull a 100" gear on the level - you need to be near 20 mph, so it's quite hard work to keep the effort up.
Last edited by: RichardW on Sat 29 Jan 11 at 14:23
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>>estimating your typical speed on a bike (15?)
My bike computer tells me my average speed's 11MPH. It was only 14 when I was cycling every day.
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...My bike computer tells me my average speed's 11MPH...
I reckon that's nearer the mark.
You would need to be going some to do 15mph on a mountain bike, although road bikes are much quicker.
That and Focus is obviously a fit guy.
Perhaps Bromptonaut will pedal by in a minute to tell us what speed he manages on his little wheels.
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"road bikes are much quicker"
Only on smooth roads, and piloted by people with thighs like tugboats...
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>> "road bikes are much quicker"
>>
>> Only on smooth roads, and piloted by people with thighs like tugboats...
>>
Not so in most cases.
Cyclo cross bikes (basically road bikes with knobbly tyres) are banned from MTB races because they give the rider too much advantage.
On the subject of cycling to keep fit, distance is irrelevant. A more meaningful figure is the time you spend doing it and the effort you put in. Twenty minutes with your heart rate raised is more benefit than two hours soft pedalling.
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>> My bike computer tells me my average speed's 11MPH. It was only 14 when I
>> was cycling every day.
I didn't want to imply L'esc was unfit, unless the clue's in the name? :)
I used to run half-marathons at >11mph, but that was a long time ago...
Last edited by: Focus on Sat 29 Jan 11 at 14:34
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>> I didn't want to imply L'esc was unfit, ...........
It's more a case of I'm physically wearing out. I have extensive arthritis, plus 2 broken vertebrae of unknown cause. It's not something you think about when you're younger. It happens to some but not to others. My mother is 96 and she's fortunate enough to have no arthritis whatsoever.
>> unless the clue's in the name? :)
No, it's a nickname I acquired at work years sgo for reasons unrelated to my speed.
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Does the exercise help L'es? Does it make you more mobile?
We bought a Wii Fit Plus in December for that very reason and I feel that it is helping.
My arthritis is now starting to progress to my hips and knees despite the main problem being with my hands and wrists.
In the summer my love of gardening makes me be happy to suffer the discomfort to do something I enjoy, but I am concerned that since October I seem to be ceasing up and it's getting much worse.
Most of my winter work entails sitting at a PC and while it's easy to feel the pain after a good few hours on the garden, it worries me that after being in the warm and in a comfy chair all day, the pain just seems worse.
Since using the Wii almost daily for an hour and concentrating on Yoga and muscle workouts I'm sure it's helping and my hips and knees are stronger than before.
It also gives me the feel good factor afterwards, knowing I haven't just sat there saying ouch.
The lads at work are all going on a Go Karting day out in April and they all want me to go with them. It's something I would love to do, but worry that I won't be able to get in and out of it being so low.
Yesterday they promised to get me in and out:)
They also promised to do it in silence and NOT make any remarks......a bunch of lorry drivers?
I don't think so:)
I'd just like to know if the exercise helps you to keep mobile and if April might be possible for me if I stick at it, L'es.
Pat
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>> ............ unless the clue's in the name? :)
Many moons ago, in a former life, my forum signature used to be "L'escargot by name but not by nature", until I decided it was too ostentatious.
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>> Many moons ago, in a former life, my forum signature used to be "L'escargot by
>> name but not by nature", until I decided it was too ostentatious.
Actually I have never had the impression your name related to your physical speed. I was just so surprised at spotting the opportunity for a 'joke' that I couldn't resist. Jokes aren't my thing, as you might have noticed.
Anyway, good luck with the exercise - have you been doing it long? Wife went through a phase of using her sons' exercise bike (she has a dodgy hip and is limited in what she can do) but it only lasted a week or 2.
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>> Actually I have never had the impression your name related to your physical speed. I
>> was just so surprised at spotting the opportunity for a 'joke' that I couldn't resist.
No probs Focus. I bought the exercise bike about a year ago but had to give it a miss for several months following the sudden onset of my arthritis. With the help of multiple medications I'm vastly improved and I now try to have a workout every day.
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Thanks Focus. If I assume a 3:1 gear ratio it will suit my purpose. I'm assuming a wheel diameter of 26", so that's 245" travel per revolution of the chainwheel. I currently do 500 chainwheel revolutions per session (which I calculate is 1.9 miles) in 12.5 minutes. That's 9 mph. That'll do me for the time being.
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12.5 minutes on an exercise bike - so that's only about 12 minutes of boredom then :)
Good for you - in this weather indoor exercise does have a certain appeal.
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A bike computer will give you average speed, distance, and other functions. Don't think they do fuel consumption though. :-)
www.amazon.co.uk/Wireless-Bicycle-Computer-Ciclosport-4-1/dp/B000V0X0XS
Last edited by: Old Navy on Sat 29 Jan 11 at 16:28
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>> A bike computer will give you average speed, distance, and other functions. Don't think they
>> do fuel consumption though. :-)
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>> www.amazon.co.uk/Wireless-Bicycle-Computer-Ciclosport-4-1/dp/B000V0X0XS
>>
Quite a few bike computers measure calories consumed i.e. fuel consumption.
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Bicycle gear ratio - Focusless
