[Griff500]

I often climb Talla (~20% in places but Strava says some bits 35%!) and Coulter (~18%), and in my late 50s I am relatively comfortable with my top 25% times, but these are achieved at a ridiculously low cadence of about 1. I have semi compact (52/36) front and 11-28 rear, but find 36/28 a real slog on these hills. I am in two minds about whether to go for an 11-32 cassette (which needs a new rear derailleur), or just to man up and take the pain as 11-32 is for wimps!  What do others use on this type of hill?

Topic

[nortonpdj]

In support of Griff500, I

In support of Griff500, I fitted a (10 speed) SRAM 11-32 with an Ultegra short cage for a recent trip to the Grand Colombier with the (soon to be famous) 22% pitch from Virieu le Petit for those who have already seen the TdF2017 parcours. Works fine. Shimano say that 28 is the max, but it’s not.

Good luck.

[Griff500]

spinner98 wrote:

Get an 11-32 definitely

You don’t need to change the derailleur, the short cage works perfectly with an 11-32, just screw the b-screw in and you are sorted, I have it on my bike and it works great in every combination, even cross chaining. 

 

Spinners are winners

Thanks, I might give that a go, although I have heard that hangar length etc can also have an impact, so the short cage works better on some bikes than others.

Good to see that a whole bunch of regulars on here are all pointing in the same direction. Thanks all.

 

[Charlie-CarbsAndCycling]

Get an 11-32 definitely

Get an 11-32 definitely

You don’t need to change the derailleur, the short cage works perfectly with an 11-32, just screw the b-screw in and you are sorted, I have it on my bike and it works great in every combination, even cross chaining. 

 

Spinners are winners

[HalfWheeler]

If you can go faster uphill

If you can go faster uphill but with more comfort and less effort then who gives a shit what others think?

[The _Kaner]

I am in my late 40’s and

I am in my late 40’s and likewise hills are a bane!

On a std 53/39 – 10 speed – I was running a 12-30 cassette – with 23mm tyres – giving a lowest gear GI of 34.2.

This is very similar to what you are running with the 52/36 and 11-28 (assuming 23mm tyres – gives a GI of 33.9), but like you my cadence dropped off considerably when attacking hills.

If I am specifically going out looking for hills, or doing a rolling/hilly sportive – I am now using a 50/34 compact (11 speed) running 11-32 and 28 mm tyres.

This gives a low gear GI of 28.3, which means I can up the cadence to keep a better/steadier pace (not necessarily a faster speed) or can pedal at a lower cadence without stalling.

But I’m sure there are lots that will not go near a compact (some velominati shit…)…or just tell you don’t upgrade ride up grades or that you should run a 25 max on the rear and MTFU…

Do whatever makes you comfortable.

On the 53/39 with the 12-30 there was no need to change to a mid derailleur…or if you’re in the market for a fresher gruppo go for a WiFli (SRAM) and climb like a mountain goat with the spread that gives…

Just keep cycling and enjoy it one day at a time…like me…

[Griff500]

Dutchie wrote:

It just depends on what you feel is right. I’m probably somewhere near you on the Talla climb, done on either 30×23 or 34×25. I’m about to change the bikes to 30×25 and 36×28 as Talla isn’t very pleasant and i really struggled on the Bealach earlier this year. Other people will go up it with bigger gears than me but go slower: I need a high cadence.

How often do you actually use 52×11 in anger? Would changing to 50×34 be an option?

Thanks for the input.

I do use 52×11 a fair bit, particularly on that route, with its long downhill sections. I did consider changing cahinrings, but 36 to 34 is only a 6% change and probably not worth the effort. Once fitted, a medium cage would give me more versatility and tbh I don’t understand why Shimano and the bike manufacturers bother with the short cage. 

[tritecommentbot]

Same as you, semi-compact and

Same as you, semi-compact and 11-28. Only went to Talla once to check it out (bit of a ride from Edinburgh) and found it was a proper slog. If I was doing it regularly, I’d go 11-32 to be honest. Still be tough but I think times will improve.

 

I hill repeat on the semi and recently took the winter bike with a compact to see the difference.

 

No difference really. Times were faster on the semi (both 11-28). Then again, I wasn’t fresh trying it, but even still.. clearly it’s not making a huge difference to me.

 

I’d definitely think about the 11-32 if properly doing gradients and wanting better times.

[Dutchie]

It just depends on what you

It just depends on what you feel is right. I’m probably somewhere near you on the Talla climb, done on either 30×23 or 34×25. I’m about to change the bikes to 30×25 and 36×28 as Talla isn’t very pleasant and i really struggled on the Bealach earlier this year. Other people will go up it with bigger gears than me but go slower: I need a high cadence.

How often do you actually use 52×11 in anger? Would changing to 50×34 be an option?

[Author]

Replies