Big ring up Norton Summit

I was taking it easy this weekend after the 200km Grand Slam last week and thought I would try something different. Someone had suggested riding up Norton Summit in the big ring only, so I tried it this morning.

To my surprise, I was only a tad slower than normal taking 22mins and was fresh as a daisy at the top.

Never got out of breath once and was flying past No 169.

Anyone else tried this?

Tags: climbing, norton summit

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike Brisco on October 17, 2011 at 13:03

From physics perspective:   Yes there is more leverage. But any advantage, gets used up, by what cog you select at the back. Output of work is the same. 

As shown by the article,  if you pick combinations based on the large cog instead of small - it makes little difference.

Permalink Reply by JDL on October 17, 2011 at 9:50

Agreed, I've never got the whole climbing in the big gear thing.. Climb in the hardest ratio you like, which ring you're on to make that ratio is irrelevant... "Big ring" sounds tough though ;)

Permalink Reply by Patrick O'Kane on October 16, 2011 at 20:31

I decided to do it on the Norton's virgins ride and found a similar result to yourself David.

Permalink Reply by MARK FERGUSON (SPARTACUS) on October 16, 2011 at 20:50

No, not even tempted.

Permalink Reply by Tarquin FintimLintin Bustop on October 16, 2011 at 21:14
Hmmm, the big ring - never used that one. Is that the bell you use to make a louder sound?
Permalink Reply by Simon Lownsborough on October 18, 2011 at 21:14

LOL

Permalink Reply by Dave L on October 17, 2011 at 8:22

Actually the real issue was about why everyone seems to change to the small ring as they turn the corner to start the ascent. You can hear everyone clicking down.

It's not that steep, so it can be done without having to spin like mad all the way up.

Permalink Reply by JDL on October 17, 2011 at 9:57

Another issue is why some riders seem to think you have to always ride the big ring on the flat.. You've got 20-odd gear combinations, pick whichever one is most comfortable for the wind/terrain/speed etc... If you'd like your chain etc to last a while it's probably better not to have it crossed up all the time, so riding on the small chain ring with a smaller cog on the back may be better than big chain ring and big cog on the back....

Permalink Reply by Baron Von Thierry on October 17, 2011 at 10:58

A cadence of 80-90 rpm is ideal in terms of converting your body's power output to torque at the back wheel. Less and you're straining your legs/knees, more and you're going to push your heartrate up for no gain.

Think of a car, you wouldn't try Nortons in 5th or 1st

How you select your gear to suit this cadence is up to you, but as JDL says, look at your chain when u have a 52/25 combination selected (or whatever your largest to largest combo). There will be a distinct bend in it and now you are pushing directly against the sidewalls of the links and twisting the rollers, instead of the rollers being parallel as designed. Do this too often & your chain wear is gonna cost you.

Permalink Reply by Dstone on October 19, 2011 at 23:59

Agree.

Permalink Reply by Rob (Chewbacca) on October 17, 2011 at 9:16
I have done five repeats up Nortons before. I tried both the small and large rings to see the time gained....there is not much difference in the time, as every attempt was within twenty seconds. The important thing about climbing is to remain within your zone and you should be able to climb all day if you hydrate and take in enough nutrition to avoid bonking
Permalink Reply by Mike Brisco on October 18, 2011 at 12:57

Impressed at 5 repeats up  - 1 trip a week is  my limit.

And, your experience confirms ,  in terms of work output - large ring or small ring, produce the same. Provided you choose a suitable back cog, and can  cycle comfortably.

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