About that 52T cog... well, more accurately, the swap to that big ol' 52 tooth gear. How was adjusting to it?
Normally do a 33 1/3mile(aka
The Frank Drebin) run on my 20" 'Goose BMX(1.95 Hookworms @65psi) 3x a week. Geared 44/14(3.14 ratio). Makes for fast and smooth. It takes ~2:30, this is a run with 2-3 pit stops, stop signs, rail road crossings, stoplights and other obstacles. ~13MPH is not my average speed, 16.5MPH is closer to actual.
FWIW, 44/16(2.75 ratio) is what's normally found on older 20" BMXs, newer BMX use 25/9(2.78 ratio) micro gearing.
With the Fusion current gear ratios are;
1st 52/28(1.86)
2nd 52/24(2.17)
3rd 52/20(2.6)
4th 52/17(3.06)
5th 52/14(3.71)
With the original 44 crank sprocket and 28T(1.57) first gear was too low, very easy to loop out.
3rd gear is 2.6 and 4th is 3.06. These are lower ratios compared to the BMX but the ATB uses larger(2.125) and lower pressure(35-40Psi) tires. Most cruising is between 3rd and 4th. 4th gear equates out to the same as the 'Goose. 5th gear is a bonus for downhills and trolling roadies.
Tires I've had on the Kent;
Duro Motocross-Grips are 2.125 @35psi, these are mud tires and are quite slow and rumbly for the street.
Kenda Comp II K44 2.125 @40Psi are much smoother, but are still an offroad tire that drags a bit.
Primo Dirt Monsters 1.95 @65Psi are dirt tires, smooth but are still snake bellies, they get buzzy at speed.
These are large/soft tires, the Kent is also quite a bit heavier than the 'Goose. Heavy steel ATB frame and chrome vs lighter steel frame and AL bits on the 'Goose.
Adapting wasn't a problem, it's more psychological than physical for me.
Have these various gears to choose from now, so find myself seated more, which I *think* is being lazy/slow. When used to a given cadence=a given speed, cranking out the same cadence and the speed is lower, it can be a bit frustrating.
I'm not a cadence chaser, this is a new experience for me.
Cmdr Ronald said:
Got extra long crank arms to take advantage of the extra oomph? Does / did it stress your muscles?
I've stuck to 175mm cranks. It's what was fairly common with BMX and my 24" Murray ATB, so I'm used to it. Might just switch to 170mm or 165mm cranks. BB on the Kent is so low on occasion nailed a high curb that would normally miss on the 'Goose. Also have not had the inside pedal up high enough when taking a corner and nearly highsided. But that's more of remembering which bike is being ridden.
As for 'stress', the Kent is heavier so it requires more work to keep up at the same speed as the Goose. Riding with the same group it can take a bit more effort to keep my position than the 'Goose, but that has more to do with the bike being heavier, loose ball bearings, and large squishy tires. So more of a workout at times, but not fatigue inducing. Don't try cruising around in 5th(3.71) gear, that would just cause knee pain by overloading at low speeds. Stick to 3rd(2.6) and 4th(3.06) gears on most flats. Bike isn't aero, not dressed in spandex cause not a cadence chaser, trying to maintain any kind of higher speeds(20+mph) on the flats is not really fun. Although, do do it from time to time if a roadie/gravel dork is being a bit of a D-bag.
Takes em down a peg or two when some fat guy on a 20" starts grinding their back tire.
Might have to add whitewalls and fenders for added insult
