drivetrain Archives - Page 2 of 3

Climb Like A Pro – Part 2 (Podcast #22)

In the last podcast, Climb Like A Pro – Part 1, I covered some of the basics of climbing physiology and what makes a good climber. In part two, it's time to tackle some of the more technical aspects of your bike and your technique: namely gearing and leg speed. Along with fitness, perhaps the most important choice you can make in terms of climbing strongly is your gearing choice. Are you on a standard when you should be on a compact? Do you use an 11-23 tooth cassette when a 12-27 is more appropriate? And how does your leg speed, or ability to control that leg speed, factor into those decisions? I'll cover the following in part 2 of the “Climb Like a Pro” series:

Proper crankset gearing
Proper cassette gearing
The importance of leg speed while climbing
Leg speed out of the saddle and efficiency
“Flattening” the terrain

As noted in this podcast, here are links to some in depth information on choosing proper gearing:

Choosing Crankset Gearing

Choosing Cassette Gearing

Be More Efficient: Pedaling Efficiency

As always, take a moment to rate the Tailwind Coaching podcast on iTunes and help me reach more and more people. And if you have any questions, you can either email me or post them to the Tailwind Coaching Facebook Page.

If you want to check out the rest of the “Climb Like A Pro” series, check here:

Climb Like A Pro – Part 1

Climb Like A Pro – Part 3

I'll see you next time: I'm going out for a climb or two…

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:18 — 36.9MB)

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Tags: climbing, Coaching, components, drivetrain, podcast, skills|

Choosing Cassette Gearing
Gallery
Choosing Cassette Gearing

components and wrenching, Wrenching and bike maintenance

Choosing Cassette Gearing

While we've already dealt with choosing crankset gearing, you may still be in the dark about choosing cassette gearing. Along with your crankset gearing, that cluster of cogs on your back wheel is what will determine if you're toddling happily up the next climb or walking (and cursing) on the way up.

So how do you assure that you're not plodding when you should be pedaling? What factors go into choosing a proper cassette to match your ability and terrain?

Let's look at how to choose the proper gearing for you.

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Tags: components, drivetrain, wrenching|

Quarq Customer Service/Warranty Process

UPDATE:

According to Quarq, the electronics pod failure that I experienced was not necessarily weather related; it was more of a "destined to fail" issue. (After searching the web) It appears that there were a bad batch of electronics pods installed on some units. Quarq says "There was a flaw in the molding of the electronics pod that caused a stress crack allowing moisture to get in."

Disheartening that something like this slipped through QC initially, but I'm pleased it was a fast turnaround.

Original Article:

Many of you know that I'm a fan of Quarq and their Cinqo power meter. I was thrilled to hear they had become a division of SRAM and I was excited to see that the new Red group had been built to include an updated Cinqo power meter. I own a Cinqo power meter and I've been very pleased with it (except for the weird 2450 battery that it takes) for the past year or so. But one thing I was always hesitant about was the inevitable change in customer service principles that generally accompanies a large scale purchase such as the SRAM/Quarq purchase. Unfortunately, I recently had to make use of the Quarq warranty process, and fortunately, it is still everything that it has been reported to be.

The Back Story

Here in the northeast, we've been lucky this year: cold and wet weather managed to hold off until late December, making it extremely easy to ride outside and enjoy real, live on-road training as opposed to "illin' with the trainer." In this case, approximately two weeks ago (on a Sunday) we ventured out for a "classics" ride, taking in the rural dirt and gravel roads of southern Hunterdon county. And what "classics" ride would be complete without some damp and drizzle? The rain mostly held off, but we did find our fair share of puddles and grime, and our bikes were well washed off by rain as we drove home.

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Tags: components, drivetrain, reviews|

Quarq Cinqo Installation

Quarq Cinqo unpacked

With the release of the 2012 Sram Red Quarq, prices for the previous Quarq Cinqo Saturn have been dropping precipitously. That being the case, now is the perfect time to grab them before they disappear from the market and used becomes your only option.

Since mid-season rest weeks are always prime tinkering time for me, what better time to change things up and swap out my Powertap in favor of one of the aforementioned Cinqo Saturns? After scoring a brandy new 130mm bcd Cinqo and having it arrive safely at my door (thank you UPS for not throwing it from 15 feet away) it was time to get my hands dirty and swap cranksets.

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Tags: components, drivetrain, road bike, wrenching|

More Dura Ace 9000 Photos

As I talked about in my previous post about the new 11 speed Dura Ace group, there has been some wholesale redesign of the group. Some new photos (actually scans, it appears) have surfaced, giving some more depth and detail to the group.

First up, the rear derailleur:

From what we see here, it looks like they've redesigned the P-Knuckle a little bit and stylized the outer parallelogram pieces to look more “swoopy.” The barrel adjuster also appears revised, and looks to be metal (could be glossy plastic, but aluminum would be nicer.) The cage shape looks a little more angular with more material on the bottom of the cage. Overall it doesn't look too bad, and I'm sure it will be typically smooth, Shimano trademark operation.

More photos after the jump:

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Tags: components, drivetrain, road bike, wrenching|