What if you can't spin?

I looked at the 2 threads I found on gear ratios, and it seems that the assumption is that spinning is better for your health, and your knees. But what if you can't spin (which is based on cardiovascular fitness)? If one has asthma or defective lung function, and can't spin, should they use a high gear and basically never have a good top speed?

I can't spin (never could, never will), but my 48x17 is just undergeared for me. I'm sick of blokes looking like 100 years old overtaking me on their geared bikes. I should slay them with my acceleration and then top speed, but I spin, and in two seconds I am the one that becomes the 100 year old, gasping and wheezing like my time has come.

I need a bigger gear. Would a jump to 48x15 be too much of a step?

its not a big deal...it takes no time at all for you to become accustom to the gear change...
i feel a cliche coming on...HTF...

48x15 is my track gear!? That's quite high...
I find 48x19 a bit low (but good for skids and general toolin' about), 48x17 (on 27s) was too high for day-to-day riding and shredded my old knees, 48x18 (on 27s) is just right for me...
edit: You're hardcore! ;)

Spinning is more a neuromuscular thing than a cardiovascular one. It's true that those born with fast twitch fibres have the ability to hit the high revs (180rpm+), but anyone can gradually adapt to cadences of 90-100rpm. It's easier to start this process young (hence the restricted gearing of youth racers), but the brain retains more plasticity than people like to believe, even in old age.

If anything, I'd recommend dropping your gear to keep up with the oldboys.

spin to win, i ride 45x18 or 67" and i take no prisoners. spinning is actually easier, than trying to grind a big gear.

its not a big deal...it takes no time at all for you to become accustom to the gear change...
i feel a cliche coming on...HTF...

fuckit... U

i ride 48 17 and find it comfy as fuck, id say you'd be fine jumping to a 15 i did for a couple of weeks (switched a wheel and couldn't be arsed to swap cogs) and it was cool, just a little slower on acceleration to begin with (ie coming out of lights)

Spinning is more a neuromuscular thing than a cardiovascular one. It's true that those born with fast twitch fibres have the ability to hit the high revs (180rpm+), but anyone can gradually adapt to cadences of 90-100rpm. It's easier to start this process young (hence the restricted gearing of youth racers), but the brain retains more plasticity than people like to believe, even in old age.

If anything, I'd recommend dropping your gear to keep up with the oldboys.

2 Minutes Ago 10:57
dogsballs spin to win, i ride 45x18 or 67" and i take no prisoners. spinning is actually easier, than trying to grind a big gear.

i stand corrected

49x16 over here...i prefer a big gear,it allows me to keep a smooth rhythm.

46:17 here, spinning is a lot easier than grinding, i'm finding 165 cranks much better for spinning than the 172.5s that were on my bike before...

52/16, just no skids for me. i don't find any problems, knees or acceleration wise

You could always get some ducks gears? ;)

GA2Gs doesn't want to hear about spinniness! I reduced my gearing so that I don't go quite as fast.
48x16 will be step in the right direction for you - if it will make you enjoy cycling more, then who cares?

52/16, just no skids for me. i don't find any problems, knees or acceleration wise

Yeah, but you're Bradley Wiggins in disguise...

no wonder everyones crashing, they're running 80+" and can't control their bikes!

BringMeMyFix and dogsballs, No, not everyone can maintain a high cadence. I have asthma, so my lung function is defective. I cannot spin/maintain a high cadence.

"spinning is actually easier, than trying to grind a big gear". No its not - certainly not if you can't do it at all.

I used to be a courier (here in London), and cycled 10-12 hours a day, but could never spin. Not everyone in the world is blessed with average lungs. I was asking specifically for advice for me, because I can't spin. I wonder how many more people are going to tell me "spin, its easy"?

My knees were f*cked playing American Football (outside linebacker for those that know such things), so I don't worry too much about cycling and knee damage.

how about you just scrap you're bike and get a moped.

Love it...

Q: What if I CAN'T spin.
A: You can spin.

dogsballs, I ride slower than most, looking in every wing mirror that I approach, even the truck ones, and anticipate someone always running in between cars, so my accident count now is low. Years ago, I used to be a magnet for German tourists!
I consciously can use the bigger gear and control my bike, due to slowness and awareness. When I need to push on, its when I see open space. Lets hope I stay lucky.

G2G just try it but I'd give it a go with a 16 rather than a 15 two teeth on a cog is a big jump. Try a 16 for a month or so and see how it feels. I think you need to give it at least a month because of experiencing different weather conditions, personal conditions e.t.c.

On one do cheap good cogs. Buy a steel one for long lasting loveliness.

Cheers Tommy and Provenrad.

Aidan, I've got a warm beer for you.

I used to be a magnet for German tourists!

On a different note. I'm improving a bit. My initial journey time from Lillie Road to Old Street was 45 minutes when I got my Bowery, and now its 30 minutes. My first new target will be 25 minutes with a bigger gear. I know thats slow for alot of you guys, but I had to start somewhere, after not being on a bike for a long time.

Cheers Tommy and Provenrad.

Aidan, I've got a warm beer for you.

kronenberg?

Sorry, its a Delster.

"how about you just scrap you're bike and get a moped." = Delstar

http://www.ratebeer.com/Ratings/TheWorstBeers.asp

CHEERS!