Gear ratios, hybrids and tyres, help please
Discussion
Hello all,
I’ve just started doing a little bit of cycling to get for, I don’t have Lycra and the like just some normal shorts so you realise I’m not “in to it “ if you will I just want to get a bit fitter.
Currently I’m using a Specialized speedster 40 I got second hand, guess it’s like 2013 or something ?
Anyway I suffer with back ache and suspect I’d like a bigger tyre, so I’ve been looking at hybrids.
I really like the look of the Cannondale Bad Boy , they do it as a 4 3, 2 and 1 1 being top of range, however the lower down the rank bike look to have more gears.
To give you some idea of my usage I’ve done two 28 mile rides and a few 12 mile cycles.
So questions are,
Is top gear on this the same as my racer ? Does this bike sound like it would do what I want? What would you get,
Moderate cycling, bad back, want a slights wider tyre.
Thanks
I’ve just started doing a little bit of cycling to get for, I don’t have Lycra and the like just some normal shorts so you realise I’m not “in to it “ if you will I just want to get a bit fitter.
Currently I’m using a Specialized speedster 40 I got second hand, guess it’s like 2013 or something ?
Anyway I suffer with back ache and suspect I’d like a bigger tyre, so I’ve been looking at hybrids.
I really like the look of the Cannondale Bad Boy , they do it as a 4 3, 2 and 1 1 being top of range, however the lower down the rank bike look to have more gears.
To give you some idea of my usage I’ve done two 28 mile rides and a few 12 mile cycles.
So questions are,
Is top gear on this the same as my racer ? Does this bike sound like it would do what I want? What would you get,
Moderate cycling, bad back, want a slights wider tyre.
Thanks
Ilovejapcrap said:
Hello all,
Is top gear on this the same as my racer ? Does this bike sound like it would do what I want? What would you get,
Moderate cycling, bad back, want a slights wider tyre.
Not sure that fatter tyres will necessarily help your back. That's more a question of getting the right riding position.Is top gear on this the same as my racer ? Does this bike sound like it would do what I want? What would you get,
Moderate cycling, bad back, want a slights wider tyre.
That said, the Bad Boy will almost certainly be more upright than your current bike, which may well be good for your back.
As for gearing, the Bad Boy has a 48x11 top gear and rolls on 650B wheels, your road bike probably has a 50x11 top gear and 700c wheels, so the roadie has a bigger top gear. In practice I doubt you'll notice it.
I've just gone from a bike with 53x12 to one with 48x11 and losing the top gear is the least of my problems.
k
Slightly more upright position may help but doing some core strength and flexibility work will probably help more and it’s free 
look at lower back, hips, glutes, hamstrings. I appreciate you’re not too serious about it but those sort of exercises will make a difference in your everyday life too.
look at lower back, hips, glutes, hamstrings. I appreciate you’re not too serious about it but those sort of exercises will make a difference in your everyday life too.klootzak said:
Ilovejapcrap said:
As for gearing, the Bad Boy has a 48x11 top gear and rolls on 650B wheels, your road bike probably has a 50x11 top gear and 700c wheels, so the roadie has a bigger top gear. In practice I doubt you'll notice it.
I've just gone from a bike with 53x12 to one with 48x11 and losing the top gear is the least of my problems.
k
So I could if wanted put a 50t on instead of a 48I've just gone from a bike with 53x12 to one with 48x11 and losing the top gear is the least of my problems.
k
It's generally easier and cheaper to change the cassette rather than the chainset. Most chainsets you can't just replace one ring or the other, as far as I know, you have to do both, and they are usually over £100 to change. Putting a bigger ring or chainset on the front might mean a new front derailleur and may also have to move it on the frame, which isn't always possible. A cassette on the other hand can be got for around £30.
With all these things, you may want to replace the chain too (it's normal practice to change the cassette and chain at the same time, if you have an old one of one, it will wear the other out quicker than if they are both new) you may also need to change the length of the chain and possibly also the size of the rear derailleur.
For most of us, it isn't top gear that is the problem, it's the bottom gear and the range we need to alter. When you hit a hill and you go for the small ring at the front and the big cog on the cassette, how does that feel?
The Bad Boy 4 has a triple, so for the steep hills you would be 26 at the front and 32 at the back, which is a real crawler gear - anything beyond 1:1 is unusual. The Bad Boy 2 has what is known as a 1 x transmission, where you have a single chain ring and a larger ratio cassette. This is a simper system, in terms of operation and maintenance, you only have one hand to change gear so you don't have to think about which hand to use. This comes out of Evans set up with a 38 tooth chain ring and an 11-32 cassette, so when you hit that hill you are 38 - 32, which is harder than the Bad Boy 4. You could change that front chain ring, for something smaller but you'd need expert advice.
As someone else said, a wider tyre probably won't help your back but will take a bit more of the bumping and bashing away from our bad roads.
With all these things, you may want to replace the chain too (it's normal practice to change the cassette and chain at the same time, if you have an old one of one, it will wear the other out quicker than if they are both new) you may also need to change the length of the chain and possibly also the size of the rear derailleur.
For most of us, it isn't top gear that is the problem, it's the bottom gear and the range we need to alter. When you hit a hill and you go for the small ring at the front and the big cog on the cassette, how does that feel?
The Bad Boy 4 has a triple, so for the steep hills you would be 26 at the front and 32 at the back, which is a real crawler gear - anything beyond 1:1 is unusual. The Bad Boy 2 has what is known as a 1 x transmission, where you have a single chain ring and a larger ratio cassette. This is a simper system, in terms of operation and maintenance, you only have one hand to change gear so you don't have to think about which hand to use. This comes out of Evans set up with a 38 tooth chain ring and an 11-32 cassette, so when you hit that hill you are 38 - 32, which is harder than the Bad Boy 4. You could change that front chain ring, for something smaller but you'd need expert advice.
As someone else said, a wider tyre probably won't help your back but will take a bit more of the bumping and bashing away from our bad roads.
Ilovejapcrap said:
Anyway I suffer with back ache and suspect I’d like a bigger tyre, so I’ve been looking at hybrids
Is the back ache a result of taking up cycling, or an existing condition? Core strength and bike position/setup would be the first place to start. I had my back operated on just shy of 30 years ago with a spinal fusion, and 3 years later prolapsed a disc. Whilst all back conditions are different, sitting more upright is not necessarily going to improve comfort, more time in the saddle will get your body acclimatised. Sometimes I'll take a 'preventative' med prior to riding if i already have some twinges.I notice your bike will take 28mm tyres, you may be able to squeeze something slightly larger, depending on brake clearance. I run 28mm on my road bike, I'm around 103kg and there's enough air in for me to run pretty soft. My commuter has 35c, although this has panniers/mudguards etc.
As others have said, I really wouldn't worry about 50/11. If you can push that comfortably on the flat at say 90rpm, you may want to get some Lycra and start racing!
Daveyraveygravey said:
It's generally easier and cheaper to change the cassette rather than the chainset. Most chainsets you can't just replace one ring or the other, as far as I know, you have to do both, and they are usually over £100 to change. Putting a bigger ring or chainset on the front might mean a new front derailleur and may also have to move it on the frame, which isn't always possible. A cassette on the other hand can be got for around £30.
With all these things, you may want to replace the chain too (it's normal practice to change the cassette and chain at the same time, if you have an old one of one, it will wear the other out quicker than if they are both new) you may also need to change the length of the chain and possibly also the size of the rear derailleur.
For most of us, it isn't top gear that is the problem, it's the bottom gear and the range we need to alter. When you hit a hill and you go for the small ring at the front and the big cog on the cassette, how does that feel?
The Bad Boy 4 has a triple, so for the steep hills you would be 26 at the front and 32 at the back, which is a real crawler gear - anything beyond 1:1 is unusual. The Bad Boy 2 has what is known as a 1 x transmission, where you have a single chain ring and a larger ratio cassette. This is a simper system, in terms of operation and maintenance, you only have one hand to change gear so you don't have to think about which hand to use. This comes out of Evans set up with a 38 tooth chain ring and an 11-32 cassette, so when you hit that hill you are 38 - 32, which is harder than the Bad Boy 4. You could change that front chain ring, for something smaller but you'd need expert advice.
As someone else said, a wider tyre probably won't help your back but will take a bit more of the bumping and bashing away from our bad roads.
Great info about ratio set ups and the different between each badboy model thank you very muchWith all these things, you may want to replace the chain too (it's normal practice to change the cassette and chain at the same time, if you have an old one of one, it will wear the other out quicker than if they are both new) you may also need to change the length of the chain and possibly also the size of the rear derailleur.
For most of us, it isn't top gear that is the problem, it's the bottom gear and the range we need to alter. When you hit a hill and you go for the small ring at the front and the big cog on the cassette, how does that feel?
The Bad Boy 4 has a triple, so for the steep hills you would be 26 at the front and 32 at the back, which is a real crawler gear - anything beyond 1:1 is unusual. The Bad Boy 2 has what is known as a 1 x transmission, where you have a single chain ring and a larger ratio cassette. This is a simper system, in terms of operation and maintenance, you only have one hand to change gear so you don't have to think about which hand to use. This comes out of Evans set up with a 38 tooth chain ring and an 11-32 cassette, so when you hit that hill you are 38 - 32, which is harder than the Bad Boy 4. You could change that front chain ring, for something smaller but you'd need expert advice.
As someone else said, a wider tyre probably won't help your back but will take a bit more of the bumping and bashing away from our bad roads.
Anything like a bad boy you would consider ? I want a slightly wider tyre etc, also just fancy a new toy
Before anything I’d suggest seeing an oesteopath (not a Chiropractor) if you can get to route of your back issue and resolve it then you will be in a better situation rather than taking chances on geometry which in all likelihood won’t help that much irrespective of the tyres or frame
It's a website - https://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/219228-6-best...
I tried to post a link last night from my phone but it didn't work.
I tried to post a link last night from my phone but it didn't work.
Ilovejapcrap said:
I suffer with back ache
Did the bad back only start when the cycling began, or have you always had it.Might want to check your positioning on the bike. You might very well be over-reaching.
Have a play about with your saddle. It might save you a few quid.
There are a lot of good resources on this if you Google "Bike fitting" or something along those lines.
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