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Cassette help please!

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  • May 18, 2013 at 1:17 pm #18826
    climbingkev

    Hi all, I’m new around here so hello – and go easy on me!

    I’ve got some events lined up for when summer arrives, namely the Dartmoor Classic and Etape du Tour and hills are not my forte (strange choice of events given my weaknesses, but they’re the ones we’re meant to target right!?). I have a compact chainset and 11-28 cassette. My question is how bigger cassette (sprocket) can I squeeze in on my 105 (5700 short cage) rear mech? Was wondering specifically if a 11-32 would fit and whether the real world gains would be significant?

    Any help appreciated,

    Kev

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Viewing 15 replies - 46 through 60 (of 65 total)
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  • May 20, 2013 at 9:10 pm #736241
    0
    Simon E

    In the end we can only make
    In the end we can only make suggestions to the OP, he can choose to buy whatever he likes. Being rude doesn’t help anyone.

    Dave Atkinson wrote:
    Contador ran a 32T on the day the Vuelta went up Angliru last, and he wasn’t the only one. Millar ran an XX mech and a 36. You going to tell them to man up? Use the gears that work for you.

    And Cobo won that day (and more or less secured the Vuelta) because he twiddled up in 34×32 while Brad and Froomey honked and stalled with their 38t oval chainrings.

    May 20, 2013 at 7:17 pm #736239
    0
    chiv30

    dreamlx10 wrote:Still no need

    dreamlx10 wrote:
    Still no need for your use of the word “Prick”.You obviously can’t handle criticism, even though it’s not directed at you.

    Anyone else notice the irony here…..

    đŸ‘¿

    May 20, 2013 at 7:10 pm #736237
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    dreamlx10

    Still no need for your use of
    Still no need for your use of the word “Prick”.You obviously can’t handle criticism, even though it’s not directed at you.

    May 20, 2013 at 4:15 pm #736235
    0
    chiv30

    dreamlx10 wrote:Quote:And I

    dreamlx10 wrote:
    And I guess you think ppl shouldn’t ride triples either?

    Advice, don’t be an elitist prick all your life X(

    Nothing wrong with triples, I didn’t mention them, you just asumed that I have something against them. Thanks for the “prick” comment, I don’t remember insulting you or anyone else for that matter.

    You’re welcome.

    Not insulting? You told someone to either lose a lot of weight , get fitter and basicly he should only ride gears that you deem correct on a road bike without any real advice .

    So yes my comment still stands from my perspective , perhaps it may help you think before typing in future đŸ˜•

    May 20, 2013 at 1:17 pm #736233
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    Al'76

    A friend ran a 32 cassette in
    A friend ran a 32 cassette in the Alps last year and will do so again this year in the Pyrenees.
    He only used that gear (34 x 32) on one occasion, but says is was a real psychological help to know that it was there if needed. BTW, the cassette is used in conjunction with a long arm Ultegra derailleur.
    If it makes the rides more enjoyable then who cares?

    May 20, 2013 at 11:53 am #736231
    0
    climbingkev

    Cheers for the comments guys.
    Cheers for the comments guys.

    To be honest I’m not surprised with the “Man Up” style comment from dreamlx10, just thought it might be an avenue worth pursuing. From what I’ve read and like someone else said, there’s plenty of pro’s out there doing it on alpine stages. Fitness and weight are certainly not an issue, from what I’ve ascertained on my last 2 (and only!) events, nor am I poor at climbing it’s just “my” weakness.

    However, I hadn’t considered a team kit as a viable performance enhancer! Do you find a particular team strip passes you more frequently than others, dreamlx10? Or is there a colour scheme in particular you despise? Clearly, these would leap-frog to the top of my shopping list! đŸ˜‰

    Cheers All!

    May 20, 2013 at 7:15 am #736229
    0
    pirnie

    Well said Dave. Ride whatever
    Well said Dave. Ride whatever gears make things easier for you, in my view there’s a lot of stigma attached to riding low gears for no real reason.

    I ride a triple and get some (friendly) stick from my clubmates about it, but I’m the one laughing as I spin up >20% gradients while they’re grinding away.

    Like I said, ride what works for you. I usually climb at a cadence of over 100 rpm so the low gears a triple offers are great for me

    May 20, 2013 at 7:12 am #736227
    0
    dreamlx10

    Quote:And I guess you think

    And I guess you think ppl shouldn’t ride triples either?

    Advice, don’t be an elitist prick all your life X(

    Nothing wrong with triples, I didn’t mention them, you just asumed that I have something against them. Thanks for the “prick” comment, I don’t remember insulting you or anyone else for that matter.

    May 19, 2013 at 9:11 pm #736225
    0
    dave atkinson

    The 105 5701 GS rear mech
    The 105 5701 GS rear mech will take a 32T rear sprocket if you want to stay with 105: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-105-5701-10-speed-rear-derailleur/

    Is it worth it? well, if it’s the difference between riding up hardknott pass or walking up it, like it was for me at the Fred Whitton, then yes. it’s worth it.

    dreamlx10 wrote:
    you need to get fitter. How low are we going to go on gears just so unfit people in team jerseys and riding fancy bikes can pretend to be cyclists. I’m afraid to say there is a lot of pain and suffering to go through to get there. But when you’re dropping people on a climb it feels brilliant. So stop riding a road bike with MTB gears and just get stuck in.

    that’s a pretty poor attitude, thanks for sharing. Kev’s bike has 105 on it and you have no idea what he wears on a ride, so try not to make sweeping generalisations.

    Contador ran a 32T on the day the Vuelta went up Angliru last, and he wasn’t the only one. Millar ran an XX mech and a 36. You going to tell them to man up? Use the gears that work for you.

    May 19, 2013 at 9:07 pm #736223
    0
    chiv30

    dreamlx10 wrote:”And that

    dreamlx10 wrote:
    ”And that answer is helpful how?”

    Straightforward advice really,you need to get fitter. How low are we going to go on gears just so unfit people in team jerseys and riding fancy bikes can pretend to be cyclists. I’m afraid to say there is a lot of pain and suffering to go through to get there. But when you’re dropping people on a climb it feels brilliant. So stop riding a road bike with MTB gears and just get stuck in.

    And I guess you think ppl shouldn’t ride triples either?

    Do you know how far up your own rear you sound? , it’s comments like yours that put ppl off riding a road bike

    The op asked for gearing advice and the helpful ppl have given it , if a 34-32 allows him to enjoy his cycling the more he will cycle , ergo the fitter he will become and eventually will have no need for his 32 cassette

    Advice, don’t be an elitist prick all your life X(

    May 19, 2013 at 8:36 pm #736221
    0
    mhtt

    wow, that’s a lot of rubbish
    wow, that’s a lot of rubbish elitism, there are plenty of people rocking an 11-25 and 0 spacers under their stem who have an awful pedalling technique, dodgy knees and avoid riding up a long hill, but they look down on people just because the bike doesn’t look ‘pro’.

    Your rear dĂ©railleur will take 11-30 (or 12-30 tiagra cassette to keep prices down); current tiagra (4600) or 105 (5700) mid-cage mechs will take up to 11-32 with a compact crank. As was mentioned a cheaper option might be a 9 speed mtb mech (a 10 speed mtb mech wont work). The difference in gear ratio is 15%, which is pretty significant, but not a game-changer really. And don’t listen to anyone who tells you what you should or shouldn’t put on your bike, or how to ride, bikes are all about freedom (and legs rather than equipment).

    May 19, 2013 at 8:11 pm #736219
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    dreamlx10

    “And that answer is helpful
    “And that answer is helpful how?”

    Straightforward advice really,you need to get fitter. How low are we going to go on gears just so unfit people in team jerseys and riding fancy bikes can pretend to be cyclists. I’m afraid to say there is a lot of pain and suffering to go through to get there. But when you’re dropping people on a climb it feels brilliant. So stop riding a road bike with MTB gears and just get stuck in.

    May 18, 2013 at 10:31 pm #736217
    0
    Bedfordshire Clanger

    Simon is right. If you can’t
    Simon is right. If you can’t ride up something on 34×28 you probably need a ladder. That ratio should get you up hills that are 25% plus and you won’t find anything that steep on the Dartmoor Classic or the EdT.

    However, if you do feel the need for an extra bail out gear then you’ll want a medium cage rear mech.

    Good luck on those rides and have fun. I really enjoyed the Classic last year.

    May 18, 2013 at 7:11 pm #736215
    0
    Simon E

    34×28 is already a pretty low
    34×28 is already a pretty low ratio. The 32t cassette isn’t a lot lower and may well require a MTB derailleur (Shimano say 10-speed Tiagra works with up to 30 teeth on the cassette). It won’t really get you up really steep inclines much easier – when they’re that steep they are tough work whatever your lowest gear is.

    dreamlx10’s comment may be a little blunt but the fact is that riding hills will help you far more than even smaller gears. You will both get fitter and improve your climbing technique. If you’re not very good at hills that means there is scope for being better at it, and it will be a more rewarding experience.

    If at the same time you can lose some weight will also make a significant difference (assuming you’re not already skinny). This also brings additional benefits such as feeling good about yourself and finding that tight-fitting lycra isn’t quite as restrictive as before đŸ˜‰

    May 18, 2013 at 7:11 pm #736213
    0
    Shanefutcher

    Whack it in the big chain
    Whack it in the big chain ring,dance on the pedals and push through the pain

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