This (big gear training) came up on the Strength/weight training thread recently, so thought I would post this link, as was just directed to this article, written by Andy Coggan himself, from something else I was reading, so might be of interest to some. As I indicated, I am only posting the link, so have no opinion either way.
Basically, he concludes that big gear training is of limited use, if any...
"because the forces generated, while higher than normal, are still too low to represent a significant overload to the pedaling musculature."
However,
"the forces generated during maximal efforts of brief duration performed at a low (initial) cadence, e.g., standing starts, or seated “stomps” in a large gear, are roughly comparable to those typically encountered when, e.g., training with weights. Consequently, this type of training would seem far more likely to result in increases in muscle size and strength, and hence possibly in maximal neuromuscular power."
http://www.aboc.com.au/tips-and-hints/why-we-dont-use-strength-endurance-anymore
Basically, he concludes that big gear training is of limited use, if any...
"because the forces generated, while higher than normal, are still too low to represent a significant overload to the pedaling musculature."
However,
"the forces generated during maximal efforts of brief duration performed at a low (initial) cadence, e.g., standing starts, or seated “stomps” in a large gear, are roughly comparable to those typically encountered when, e.g., training with weights. Consequently, this type of training would seem far more likely to result in increases in muscle size and strength, and hence possibly in maximal neuromuscular power."
http://www.aboc.com.au/tips-and-hints/why-we-dont-use-strength-endurance-anymore