WHAT SIZE CHAINRING TO USE?
As many other parameters of cycling that are traditionally thought to be depended on something else, the size of the chainring is also determined more by the level of your skill of riding rather than anything else.
There are three main factors in cycling that separate the better cyclists from the rest of the pack: 1. Skill of movement (ability to use your bodyweight to your advantage). 2. Muscle strength and 3. Aerobic capacity. At the elite level, the latter doesn't play that big of a role because all elite cyclists have more or less similar aerobic capacity.
If you were to take two identical Lances Armstrongs on two identical bikes, but one bike with a standard and the other with a large chainring. Lance on the bike with the larger chainring would get ahead. That is because his level of skill allows him to net the entire benefit of a larger size chainring, the benefit being more force in pedaling. But take two identical bikes, Lance on one and somebody else on the other bike - guess who wins again? Mr. Armstrong, due to his exceptional skill level.
Would a heavier cyclist benefit from using a larger chainring? Not if his technique is so so. Bigger body mass could help create bigger rotational torque, but you will have to pay a physiological price for that (more oxygen for your larger mass will be required), so if not adequately prepared the bigger ring will work against you. The biggest difference in your cycling will come from adjustments in your technique, and only then, you will further benefit from all other things like bigger chainrings and badder bikes.
In Pose Method®, it is recommended everyone learn the proper cycling technique and train using a standard size chainring ( 52/39-front and 23/12 -rear). As you continue your strength training (very important) and your riding skill improvement, it would make sense to switch to a bigger size chainring, but do not rush, if you're not ready the switch will become a "negative" instead of the planned "positive". Also remember that moving to a larger chainring should not be done at the price of lowering your cadence.
Article by Dr. Nicholas Romanov
Composed by L. Romanov
