[rola643]

As I was thinking about the start of the Tour Down Under and reading a few different articles on it I started to wonder about something? Do racers change cranks, or chain rings and cassettes for different stages of the race? Flat vs, rolling, vs hill stages or rated climbs- pretty sure they do for those anyway. I had just never really thought about this before. Anybody?

 

[qmsdc15]

On big mountain stages for sure. Cobo won on L'Angliru with a 34x32 granny, a lower ratio than most of his competitors.
Vuelta tech: Gear ratios critical up the Angliru

 

[rola643]

Thanx qm! That was a good read. Interesting to see the different choices and different ratios they achieved. I have never really understood the asymmetrical ring, I mean I know what it is just not what benefit is.

Gota love this statement

"Wiggins explained that at one point he nearly fell over as he struggled up the steepest part of the Angliru."

 

[qmsdc15]

Heras got it right in 2002.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nYgzAXgqDg]Vuelta España 2002 - Climb of the Angliru (Pt. 5/6) - Final kilometers - YouTube[/ame]
"During stage 15 in 2002, riders climbed the Angliru in rain. Team cars stalled on the steepest part, some unable to restart because their tires slipped on messages painted by fans.[2] Riders were caught behind them and others had to ride with flat tires because mechanics could not reach them. David Millar crashed three times[3] and protested by handing in his race number a metre from the line. The judges ruled he had not finished the stage and he left the race.[4][5] He regretted his temper - he had been ninth - and apologised to his team.[2]"