Ride 04/25/07, 6:00 p.m. Cary/MacGregor Village, Oh Melo Velo, RSVP

[Zonda]

There is a strict start time of 6:00 by the ride organizer Ed.

When: Wednesdays, 6:00 p.m.

Where:
MacGregor Village (http://www.ncbikeclub.org/calendar/ncbcstrt.htm#mcgvl) Cary

Meet in parking lot between Wachovia Bank and Bistro Restaurant. Try to avoid parking near the bank.

Google Maps (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=101+Edinburgh+Dr+S+Cary+NC)

Distance:
Any distance. Ride ½ your time and U-turn, finish at sunset.

Pace:
10-12 mph beginners
13-15 mph
No drop. Me, Michelle or Rick will ride behind the slowest rider. I will lead from the back this week. There are several subgroups for ride paces and distances.

Cue Sheet (attached)

Contact Person: Zonda

Comments:

Please RSVP so we can plan riding groups.
Slow Spokes join the fast Oh Melo Velo (http://ohmelovelo.dnsalias.org/) riders to lead a slow group. See Ed's website Bicycling 2007 section.
Beginners are welcome to join this ride.
Please arrive in time to prepare your bike to leave promptly at 6:00 p.m. If you arrive late, David or Ed will leave cue sheets on their car back window under the wiper blade.
All riders should carry proper equipment in case they have a flat (spare tube, pump or CO2 cartridge).
It is strongly recommended that you carry your driver’s license and health insurance card in case of an emergency. You may also want to program your cell phone with an emergency contact number under the name “ICE” In Case of Emergency.
New riders should read Bicycling Hand Signals and Safety Pointers (http://www.trianglecycling.com/showthread.php?t=17385)

[BetsyW]

Brian and I will be there Wednesday night. As usual put Brian with the 16+ group. I will ride with whoever is going 13-14, not sure I can do much more than that after this weekend, but we'll see what Wednesday brings:)

[Pugslyyy]

I don't think I'll be able to make it this week, my Dad has surgery scheduled on Wednesday so I'll be at the hospital with him.

Jon

[Zonda]

Jon, I hope everything goes well with your Dad's surgery.

[williamtash]

I hope the surgery is nothing major and that is goes well

[sportingfool]

Brian and I will be there Wednesday night. As usual put Brian with the 16+ group. I will ride with whoever is going 13-14, not sure I can do much more than that after this weekend, but we'll see what Wednesday brings:)

Betsy, my legs are achy, too...and I didn't even try to ride today :eek:

I'll be riding the 13-15mph on Wednesday.
Andrea

[JayC]

Ill probably come but doubt I ride with the fastest group like I did last week. Some of us are going to do a 50 miler on Tuesday and I imagine Wed will be more of an easy ride for me after that.

[KarenG]

Count me in for Wednesday, but at a slower pace if I get to do the 50mi ride Tuesday (some talk of having to go out of town for a project I've got in Reidsville).

If I have to go out of town, then I may not get to do the 50mi or the OMV ride. Will know more tomorrow.

**edit**
Jay, BrianJ, and myself rode the Benson/Coates route from Jay's house today. I don't know about Jay, but I really need a recovery ride tomorrow, so put me in a slower group, like 15-16mph...Jay says I can't go slow (not in my nature), so we'll see if I can tomorrow...

[Pugslyyy]

I hope the surgery is nothing major and that is goes well
Thanks, it's back surgery to correct a vetebrae that cracked/compressed. (Osteoperosis). Hoping this will cure the pain and get him mobile again.

It's an interesting procedure - they inflate balloons inside the broken vertebra to try and restore the height, then inject cement to stabilize it (same cement as used in joint replacement)

A lot better than the old options - a brace, bed rest, and pain killers.

Therle's a technical name for the problem and the procedure, but I'm an engineer not a doctor (damit jim!)

[KarenG]

(damit jim!)

haha...reference to star trek, right? we're watching an old star trek show right now.

[CharleyM3]

It's an interesting procedure - they inflate balloons inside the broken vertebra to try and restore the height, then inject cement to stabilize it (same cement as used in joint replacement)

My medical friends tell me that this procedure is pretty good. The last "best" method was separating the bone and adding a fiber material that looked like a brillo pad. Your body would fill in bone material.
My prayers are with you and him. What's his first name?
-Charley

[Pugslyyy]

Thanks Charley,

Sorry Zonda, we're now seriously off topic here, but I appreciate everyone's interest and concern.

His first name is Carl. My Dad is a retired econ professor from NC State. His Godson is an MD with Wake Radiology, and he has been a big help with all of this. Got him scheduled in for the MRI after hours, helped expedite the consultations, etc.

The frustrating thing is that his insurance won't pay for the procedure, we're having to pick up what medicare won't cover out of pocket. They just want bed rest and pain killers, but even though he is in his 80s he isn't ready to spend the rest of his days laid up watching the price is right on TV!

[Michelle W]

I'll be there. Probably at the back of the 13-15 group.

[Michelle W]

Jon. Hope your Dad's procedure goes well. Let us know how he's doing when you can. Take care.

[fvncgal]

Count me in with the 13-15 mph group or wherever!!!!!

Rebekah

[rsignore]

Hi all. I had a great ride Saturday from CSH with you all. I'm planning to join you again this Wednesday and I'll ride with the 13-15 group.

-Rob

[RickF]

I have been cleared to ride, so I will be there leading from the back this week.

[aliepins]

Add one, maybe two, to the roster.

Jon, best wishes on your dad's surgery.

Cheers,
Andy

[Zonda]

Sorry Zonda, we're now seriously off topic here, but I appreciate everyone's interest and concern.

No problem here. With the back problems I have, I'll probably need that procedure some day!:eek:

[Zonda]

I have been cleared to ride, so I will be there leading from the back this week.

That is tentative Mister!;) I want to make sure you are o.k. I'm planning to lead from the back Wed.

[TracyW]

Nevermind..........................caused too much confusion.

[Zonda]

How's the curb rash? More sore than anything?

It's his eye surgery today that I'm being cautious about.

[MikeD]

Sign me up please. With Jon out this week who am I going to chase? I hope all goes well for your Dad, Jon.

[TracyW]

It's his eye surgery today that I'm being cautious about.Ok.

[JayC]

Sign me up please. With Jon out this week who am I going to chase? I hope all goes well for your Dad, Jon.

Ill be there.. you can chase me.

[RickF]

I had bilateral laser peripheral iridotomies today. That is eye surgery to prevent acute glaucoma attacks in patients at high risk for angle closure glaucoma. The surgery was no big deal. I had a headache and blurred vision for about four hours afterwards, but I am fine now. The ophthalmologist said that the restrictions postoperatively are nothing. I can do whatever I want as soon as the headache and blurred vision go away. I told him that I usually ride my bicycle anywhere from 20 to 50 miles on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. He said there is no reason I could not ride on Tuesday.

As far as the road rash, It is a little tender, but not bad. After the ride, I went straight to The Spin Cycle to have my bike checked out. I was far more concerned about the bike than I was about the body. I knew the bodily injuries were minor and would heal, but I was not so sure about my bike.

I was prepared to have to leave my bike until the middle of this week, but Nate and Matt were both there. Matt was a little more observant than Nate was. Nate asked when the crash happened, but before I could answer, Matt said "look at him". I was still wearing my cycling clothes and there was blood running down my leg.

Nate was able to fix my bike while I waited. I was concerned about possible structural damage to the top tube, but that ended up just being cosmetic damage. The reason the brakes were rubbing and the shifting was difficult was that the brifters were full of gravel and dirt. Nate cleaned those and repositioned the hood that was twisted out of place. He did a complete inspection of the bike and could not find anything else wrong with it.

The odd thing is that I have a hole in the palm of my glove, but no mark on my hand. I have road rash on my chest and forearm, but my long sleeve jersey has no holes in it. Go figure. The worst road rash is on my shin, but that will not keep me from riding tomorrow. I am only out a pair of gloves. It could have been a lot worse.

I do want to be perfectly clear that my crash had nothing to do with riding in a paceline. We had agreed to abandon the paceline when we got to High House Road because the traffic lights and lane restrictions made paceline riding impossible. Fortunately, I was at the back of the group when I crashed, so there was no one behind me that I could have brought down with me. I tried to get closer to the curb so that an obnoxious driver could get around, but I moved over about 1/2 inch farther than I should have. The curb was about an inch higher than the road, and when the side of my tire hit the lip of the curb, I went sailing. The best thing for me was that there was a strip of grass between the curb and the sidewalk, and most of me (except for my shin) slid along the grass.

[Gerard]

Hope all goes fine with your dad Jon.
I plan to be at the ride Wed. evening.

[JimH]

I plan to ride Wednesday. I don't think work will get in the way this week.

Jim

[3MTA3]

i'm planning on being there. maybe. lol.

[Pugslyyy]

I tried to get closer to the curb so that an obnoxious driver could get around, but I moved over about 1/2 inch farther than I should have. The curb was about an inch higher than the road, and when the side of my tire hit the lip of the curb, I went sailing. The best thing for me was that there was a strip of grass between the curb and the sidewalk, and most of me (except for my shin) slid along the grass.

I know that exact area well. I can't wait til they complete their roadwork and level the asphalt out with the concrete - it really is hazardous and though I haven't taken a spill there I've gotten a lot closer to that little lip than I wanted to.

Glad it sounds like the eye op went well. We got my Dad's surgery moved up a day to tomorrow (Tuesday) so if all goes well I'll see you all on Wednesday for the ride.

Regards,

Jon

[williamtash]

Rick I am glad your surgery went well sorry to here about that wreck but very glad the bike is fine and nothing major happened to you. It really could have been a lot worse. have a good ride wed.

[RickF]

Jon,

I hope your dad's surgery goes well.

[CharleyM3]

I'm having problems with my new bike. If I can't get it all worked out, I'll be there on the tank for another week. I'm so tired of tweaking the deraileurs. Then the cassette came apart 8 miles out yesterday.:mad:

[JayC]

I'm having problems with my new bike. If I can't get it all worked out, I'll be there on the tank for another week. I'm so tired of tweaking the deraileurs. Then the cassette came apart 8 miles out yesterday.:mad:

How can a cassette come apart? Did you actually break the teeth on the thing?

[CharleyM3]

How can a cassette come apart? Did you actually break the teeth on the thing?
The damn lock ring backed out. The 11 tooth sprocket and lock ring were free wheeling. The 13 nearly got bound up. I got the thing back together finger tight and limped back. About a mile from my destination it seperated again. I just stayed on the 15 cog and rode in. I had enough cross tension in the chain to keep everything together for that long.

I rode 18 miles today at lunch and the bike ran like it really wanted to. The drive train purred like a kitten the entire way. I've got more slack in the front deraileur cable than I want, but I'm sick of messing with it and I'm not at the adjustment limit yet.

On the lighter side, I saw Fast Eddie while I was out. He was rolling up to the repaving section of Blue Ridge and not looking happy. I need a new route until they're done with the resurfacing efforts

[Forsyth]

As far as the road rash, It is a little tender, but not bad. After the ride, I went straight to The Spin Cycle to have my bike checked out. I was far more concerned about the bike than I was about the body. I knew the bodily injuries were minor and would heal, but I was not so sure about my bike.



Rick, my boyfriend Wayne who led the GSK ride from Spin Cycle on Saturday reported that he'd seen a Slow Spokes rider show up there with a little blood and a possibly hurt bike. I'm glad to hear you're okay.

Zonda, I plan to ride tomorrow night--I'll be in the 10-12 mph group.

--Forsyth

[Zonda]

Cue sheets attached to ride announcement.

Head count for Wednesday:

Riders: 19

10-12 mph
Me
Forsyth

13-15 mph
Betsy
Andrea
Michelle
Rebekah
Rob S.
Ryan
Charley

15-16 mph
Rick
Andy L.
Jim H.

16+ mph
Brian J.
Jay
Karen
Mike D.
Gerard
Brian A. (maybe)
Jon (maybe)

[JayC]

This route goes down Alt 55... boy, this keeps getting better and better. I think I'd take Tryon Rd over Alt 55.

[3MTA3]

hey everybody- i'd like to commit 100% for tomorrow, but i have some stuff to do & it's kind of out of my way. if i can make it, you'll see me in a red & blue jersey... if i can make it i'll probably be in the 13-15 group. oh & my name is ryan. :) sorry i can't totally commit, i feel bad about that.

[KarenG]

This route goes down Alt 55... boy, this keeps getting better and better. I think I'd take Tryon Rd over Alt 55.

i'm with Jay on this one....that route wasn't very friendly in some areas in the early afternoon this past fall. it's gonna be a pain at 6-7pm :(

[JayC]

Ill be the guy *****ing about everything :)

[RickF]

15-16 mph
Rick
Andy L.
Jim H.
Charley



You were concerned about my ability to lead the slow group because I had peripheral iridotomies on Monday, but you think I am fine to ride with the 15-16 mile group :rolleyes:

As you saw, I was riding pretty well this evening. I am happy to ride with either group.

[Zonda]

hey everybody- i'd like to commit 100% for tomorrow, but i have some stuff to do & it's kind of out of my way. if i can make it, you'll see me in a red & blue jersey... if i can make it i'll probably be in the 13-15 group. oh & my name is ryan. :) sorry i can't totally commit, i feel bad about that.

Thanks Ryan. I will look for you to put you with the 13-15 mph riders. If you can't make it, we understand. Join us on a Saturday if you can. Welcome to the group!

[RickF]

Rick, my boyfriend Wayne who led the GSK ride from Spin Cycle on Saturday reported that he'd seen a Slow Spokes rider show up there with a little blood and a possibly hurt bike. I'm glad to hear you're okay.

Zonda, I plan to ride tomorrow night--I'll be in the 10-12 mph group.

--ForsythYes, I talked to Wayne at The Spin Cycle. I was torn as to which group to ride with on Saturday, since I am part of Team GSK, and both were riding from Cary. Despite the crash, I enjoyed the Slow Spokes ride, and both the bike and I are fine and riding again..

[Zonda]

You were concerned about my ability to lead the slow group because I had peripheral iridotomies on Monday, but you think I am fine to ride with the 15-16 mile group :rolleyes:

As you saw, I was riding pretty well this evening. I am happy to ride with either group.

Yeah, and now I'm trying to punish you for making me chase you guys the whole route...:D Just kidding. It was a good ride.

You ride 15 mph easily and the girls said they wanted an easier ride. This is just an estimate to help others see who is riding at their pace and to help everyone get to know each other. Ride in which ever group you prefer, same for others.

[Zonda]

Ill be the guy *****ing about everything :)

Nothing new then...:D Gotcha!

David did the route since he'll be stuffing RRR rider packets next Wed. His routes usually are more rider friendly, sorry about that.

[CharleyM3]

You're joking right? I need a motor to keep up with Rick... Or maybe just the uber commuter bike. Yant-ah-ah. (That's spelled phonetically and a Midwestern thing that most people here don't understand until they actually hear it.)

[CharleyM3]

This route goes down Alt 55... boy, this keeps getting better and better. I think I'd take Tryon Rd over Alt 55.

Maybe it has really wide shoulders...

[JayC]

Maybe it has really wide shoulders...
It does but they were littered with crap the last time we rode them. Maybe it wont be so bad this time.

[Zonda]

You're joking right? I need a motor to keep up with Rick...

What started the problem was I changed my categories. I usually post 13-14 mph and 14-16 mph. Since people said to put them in the 13-15 mph group, I changed my categories to 13-15 and 15-16 mph and wasn't sure where to put some people.:rolleyes: It's just an estimate.

[JimH]

Please put me in the 13-15 group.

Jim

[CharleyM3]

What started the problem was I changed my categories. I usually post 13-14 mph and 14-16 mph. Since people said to put them in the 13-15 mph group, I changed my categories to 13-15 and 15-16 mph and wasn't sure where to put some people.:rolleyes: It's just an estimate.

We'll iron it out tonight.

[sportingfool]

Maybe it has really wide shoulders...

Hey...Holly Springs is my neck of the woods...

The 55 Bypass does have wide shoulders, but be extra alert because the cars will be traveling about 70mph :eek: This might make things tricky on the return trip when we need to migrate to the left to turn onto New Hill Rd. We may want to consider hanging a right and turning around so we can go straight across the Bypass with the green light.

Andrea

[JayC]

Thats what some of us did last time and yea, the cars will be flying and with there being a shoulder, none of them will feel the need to give any extra room for a cyclist.

[kckdunn]

I will be there. I'm feeling a bit worn down from a mountain bike ride yesterday, so planning to start out with the 15 - 16 group. If I feel sluggish, I will drop myself back into the 13-15 group.

[xflow]

Im recovering from a cold. Im planning on ridding today not sure what pace yet. Fred

[kckdunn]

hmmm, perhaps I am feeling run down from something else. I am feeling worse as the day goes on. I am changing my RSVP to not riding. :(

[CharleyM3]

If we cross 55 we can go into town make a right on Avent-Ferry and cross 55 again and pick up the rest of the route. Opposite on the return trip.
It's an out and back anyway, what's the diff?

[3MTA3]

i tried to get there but spent about an hour stuck in traffic. i don't think it should take 45 minutes to get from fayettiville rd to harrison ave. i hate traffic jams.

[Zonda]

What a proud “mother hen” (that's what Ed calls me) I was tonight to see everyone lined up ready to roll at 5:55 obeying Ed’s strict 6:00 start time. Thank you all so much!!

Riders 24: Me, Barbara, Betsy, Andrea, Michelle, Bob J., Rebekah, Rob S., Jim H., Bess, Sandy (male), John G., Rick, Andy L., Charley, Dajuan, Brian J., Jay, Karen, Mike D., Gerard, Brian A., Jon T. and Fred.

Welcome: Barbara, Bob J. and Sandy.

Welcome back: Rob S. and Bess.

Ryan, sorry you got caught in traffic. Maybe you can catch us on a Saturday ride.

Jon D., get well soon!!

Forsyth fractured her ankle today in two places. She will be off the bike for at least six weeks. We wish you a speedy recovery!

Charley, thanks for volunteering to help lead the shorter routes on Saturday. Everyone should consider giving back to the group in some way.

Michelle, it was your night off to ride at your pace. Thanks for watching out for Bob J. It was very nice of you to do that.

Rebekah, thanks for leading Bess, Jim H. and Rob S.

Me & Barbara
Distance: 13.9 miles
Pace: 10.1 mph
Time: 1:21

Michelle & Bob J.
Distance: 18.9 miles
Pace: 12.8 mph
Time: 1:29

Betsy & Andrea
Distance: 20.2 miles
Pace: 14 mph

Rebekah, Bess, Rob S. & Jim H.
Distance: 20 miles
Pace: 14.1 mph
Time: 1:24

John G.
Distance: 21 miles
Pace: 14.2 mph

Charley
Distance: 23.8 miles
Pace: 15.2 mph

Andy L. & Rick
Distance: 26.5 miles
Pace: 16.4 mph
Time: 1:36

Brian J.
Distance: 27.1 miles
Pace: 17.1 mph
Time: 1:35

Jon T
Distance: 35 miles
Pace: 17.2 mph
Time: 2:02

Dajuan
Distance: 30.6 miles
Pace: 17.4 mph
Time: 1:45

Fred
Distance: 32.9 miles
Pace: 17.8 mph
Time: 1:51

Brian A. & Mike D.
Distance: 33.4 miles
Pace: 18.4 mph

Jay
Distance: 30.0 miles
Pace: 19.2 mph
Time: 1:34

Karen
Distance: 26.4 miles
Pace: 17.6 mph
Time: 1:30

Didn’t get stats for Sandy.

Nine riders went to the Ale House after the ride.

Thanks for coming out!

[Gerard]

Got lost. My fault. Made it back OK.
32.6 miles
Avg. speed 15mph.

[RickF]

i tried to get there but spent about an hour stuck in traffic. i don't think it should take 45 minutes to get from fayettiville rd to harrison ave. i hate traffic jams.You must have been on I 40. In the future, it is better to take NC751 to US 64 and US 64 to Edinburgh Drive. Distance wise, it is a little longer, but it is almost always faster.

[RickF]

Andy L. & Rick
Distance: 26.5 miles
Pace: 16.4 mph
Time: 1:36


Dajuan
Distance: 30.6 miles
Pace: 17.4 mph
Time: 1:45
Dajuan, I told you it would not be long before I could not keep up with you:)

All I had on you before was some experience. I knew that your technique would improve a lot faster than my physical ability could. I might not be quite twice your age, but I am your father's age. My best ever for a ride longer than 15 miles was 17.2 mph.

[Dajuan]

Thanks Rick. I've dropped 12lbs since I started riding in February. Biking is great.

Hey, you still haven't told me what I'm doing wrong technically. You know, you don't really have to wait until the end of the summer before you tell me.

My feet and butt still get numb around 15 miles into a ride. Jay is going to let me try one of his seats this Saturday. If that works out, I'll be a very, very happy man.

[JayC]

If your feet are going numb, you might need to look at your cleat position or try some different shoes. I had some Shimano shoes when I first started riding and I had the same problem.

[RickF]

Dajuan,

More important than which saddle you use is how the saddle is positioned. No saddle is going to be comfortable if it is not positioned correctly. You need to make sure that your ischeal tuberosities (sit bones) are planted on the widest part of the saddle at the same time that the balls of your feet are over the center of the pedal axis. If it is only your butt and feet that are numb, it is not too bad, but if other parts become numb, that can become a serious problem.

Now that you are faster than me, there is no need for me to talk to you about technique ;) The best advice for almost everyone, though, is to use an easier gear and pedal faster (assuming you are not already pedaling in excess of 100 rpm). Once you get used to pedaling faster, you will be surprised at how much easier it is to change speeds and keep up the pace for a longer time.

[RickF]

I've dropped 12lbs since I started riding in February. Biking is great.
I agree. I have dropped 85 pounds since December of 2005. I owe most of that to cycling. I have a friend on Team GSK who has lost 100 pounds, and more importantly, has kept the weight off for more than two years. Cycling has done wonders for her.

[JayC]

Now that you are faster than me, there is no need for me to talk to you about technique ;) The best advice for almost everyone, though, is to use an easier gear and pedal faster (assuming you are not already pedaling in excess of 100 rpm). Once you get used to pedaling faster, you will be surprised at how much easier it is to change speeds and keep up the pace for a longer time.

I havent really told anyone this but I picked up a significant amount of speed when I switched to compact cranks on both bikes. I have pretty good cardio so spinning is way better for me than mashing and the compact cranks seem to compliment that much better. I usually average around 100-105 cadence for most rides.

I think I can honestly say that the compact cranks were the single biggest component upgrade I made on either of my bikes from a speed standpoint. KG is rocking the compact and I think she's picked up some speed as well.

[Gerard]

What are compact cranks?
Do you have a web link?

[JayC]

A compact crank is just basically a smaller crank on the chainrings. Standard doubles have 53 teeth on the big ring and 39 teeth on the small ring. Compacts have 50/34, respectivelly.

Shimano doesnt make a DuraAce compact crank. Here's a link to their compact. Its the same one I have on my Blue.

http://bike.shimano.com/catalog/cycle/products/component.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441774694&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302050565&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181674&bmUID=1177560403631

There are some really sweet aftermarket compacts available that aren't terribly expesnive. Most of the are carbon. Ive avoided them because of my weight. I didnt want the carbon shattering on me when I stood up out of the saddle.. Ive seen several instances of that happening and I like my skin and bones intact a little too much to go away from aluminum.

If I was going to buy a carbon compact for Shimano, this is probably the one I'd buy.

http://www.carbonlord.com/cranks.html

Middle row, last one on the right.

I've heard theyre made by the same people who make Token components, which is pretty decent stuff for the money.

[3MTA3]

from our friend sheldon brown:

Compact Crank
A double-chainring crankset with that permits the use of smaller chainrings than will fit with the common 130 mm B.C.D.. Most "compact double" cranks use the old standard 110 mm B.C.D. which permits the use of chainrings as small as 33 teeth (more commonly, 34 or 36 teeth.)

Compact crank sets usually come with a 50 tooth chainring, and will normally go with an 11 or 12 tooth top sprocket in back.

110 mm B.C.D. double cranks with full-sized (52-42, 52-40, etc.) were common in the late'70s and early '80s, but they had become nearly extinct for double chainrings. The rebirth of this format, with smaller rings, was pioneered by Tyler Hamilton who used one of these in the 2003 Tour de France

[RickF]

The complaint that Karen had was the difficulty in shifting. The larger the difference in number of teeth from one chainring to the other, the more difficult it will be to shift. A triple typically has only a 10 to 12 tooth gap between rings (mine is a 50/39/30). Standard doubles have a 14 tooth gap (typically 53/39). Compact cranks have a 16 tooth gap (typically 50/34). It is going to be more difficult to get the chain to move up 16 teeth than it is to get it to move up 14 or 12 teeth.

On my Specialized Roubaix, I had the option of the 50/39/30 triple, or the 50/34 compact double. I opted to give up the few extra ounces for the reliability in shifting of the triple over the compact double. Besides that, I find that I spend 95% of my time on the 39 tooth chainring. I do not need the 50 unless I am going faster than 24 mph (which I rarely do). The 53/39 double would not work for me, because on almost every ride from Wake County west (which is where I do most of my riding), there will be at least one hill I can not manage in the 39 tooth ring.

[KarenG]

ah...my shifting is now da bomb. had jay work on it tuesday before our ride and it appears to be working fine now. new bike - so i had some cable stretch going on most likely.

i like it really well now. just have to remember to gear down before the hills cause it won't shift as well as my triple on the hills. on hills, with the triple, i could usually lighten up on the pressure and get it to shift down in the front. but, with this compact, that hasn't worked so well and i have to remember to do the downshift before starting up the hill.

k

[3MTA3]

sram ftw.