Triban 5 Cassette Upgrade

[AmiableChimp]

Looking for some advise please.

I have a Triban 5 road bike and whilst I love it, I feel that I am running out of gears both when climbing hills (compared to the gears available on my Ridgeback Velocity hybrid) and when upping the speed on downhill sections.

I believe the bike comes with Shimano Sora triple up front (50/39/30) and a 12-25 rear cassette.

I have been looking at alternatives and Wiggle have an 11-30 available, would this fit with my current setup?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-hg50-9-speed-casse...

I have only done about 300 miles on this bike, do I still need to replace my chain at the same time?

I believe I will also require a chain whip tool and cassette removal tool to do the job?

I have a couple of guys who live local who have helped with bike stuff before so I might ask them to assist in the fitting to try and avoid any mishaps.

I assume this new cassette would give me better hill climbing options?

Thanks for any pointers.

[S10GTA]

AmiableChimp said:

Looking for some advise please.

I have a Triban 5 road bike and whilst I love it, I feel that I am running out of gears both when climbing hills (compared to the gears available on my Ridgeback Velocity hybrid) and when upping the speed on downhill sections.

I believe the bike comes with Shimano Sora triple up front (50/39/30) and a 12-25 rear cassette.

I have been looking at alternatives and Wiggle have an 11-30 available, would this fit with my current setup?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-hg50-9-speed-casse...

I have only done about 300 miles on this bike, do I still need to replace my chain at the same time?

I believe I will also require a chain whip tool and cassette removal tool to do the job?

I have a couple of guys who live local who have helped with bike stuff before so I might ask them to assist in the fitting to try and avoid any mishaps.

I assume this new cassette would give me better hill climbing options?

Thanks for any pointers.

You do know that you can use the little ring at the front don't you?!

Seriously, a 30/25 is a tiny gear, you shouldn't need anything lower!

[AmiableChimp]

S10GTA said:

You do know that you can use the little ring at the front don't you?!

Seriously, a 30/25 is a tiny gear, you shouldn't need anything lower!

And yet I still find my hybrid much easier to sit on and spin up the hills?

Not sure what range the Ridgeback comes with but it's definitely easier up the climbs.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Indeed that is a small gear, but from memory only the same as a 34/28 on a compact? (I could be wrong)

Personally I wouldn't want to go much lower, as you get such little forward motion from each pedal stroke! Fine offroad where you have to balance weight and power to avoid slippage!

How steep are hills you riding?

How do the positions on the bikes compare? I find lowering the saddle 1cm on 1 bike makes it easier to spin on the hills , but the saddle is then too low on the flats.

See how the positions/setups of the bikes compare, is the Ridgeback lighter?

[Kell]

Could be the more upright riding position on the Ridgeback makes it easier to breathe.

[Barchettaman]

I´d consider a 12-27 Tiagra cassette or a Sram pg 950 in 11-28, both available from Evans.

The 11-28 will give you a bit more top and bottom end.

I´d pick up a chain at the same time, as 9-speed stuff is cheap, maybe put the new chain and cassette on but don´t discrd your current ones. Then when your fitness is up and you feel you don´t need that crawler gear, swap back on the old cassette and chain together.

You´ll need a chain whip and cassette tool, and a chain tool. Use the old chain for sizing, but check on the drivetrain too. There are various tutorials online to determine your chain length.

Best of luck.

[Amateurish]

I'm in the same situation (T3) and just bought this:

Sram PG850 8Spd Cassette 11-28T

For £13 from Amazon.

eta this is of course the 8 speed version!

Edited by Amateurish on Friday 8th May 16:07

[TheInternet]

AmiableChimp said:

I have only done about 300 miles on this bike, do I still need to replace my chain at the same time?

Personally I wouldn't bother after such small mileage. Might be worth checking your derailleur is OK with 30T.

Edited by TheInternet on Friday 8th May 16:24

[sjg]

With a bigger sprocket you'll probably need a few more links of chain in case you ever go big/big. So yes, new chain needed too.

30/25 should be fine to sit and spin up just about anything though. You are allowed to use the flat part of your bars for a more upright climbing position, you know!

Work on climbing better, wait till your chain needs replacing then see how you feel then.

[Barchettaman]

We don't know the OP's fitness level, weight or usual riding terrain.

If he wants easier gears to spin up the hills the advice he should be receiving is which cassette to replace his existing 12-25 with.

'Toughen up' or 'you should be OK with what you have' is unhelpful advice.

[AmiableChimp]

Update:

So I have given up on the idea of replacing my cassette on the Triban...

...and I am now looking at buying a new bike instead

Current favourites are Cube Peleton or Scott Speedster 20.

Heading out to Hooked On Cycling in Bathgate for a chat/look.

They throw in a full cycle fit for free with all road bike purchases so man maths dictates that this, coupled with selling my Triban make the new bike an almost irresistible bargain.

[jamiebae]

I'm not entirely sure a new bike will make a difference. You're going to have a compact chainset (34T) and probably a 28 on the back so you're going to need to swap the cassette and possibly the rear mech to run a 32T or you aren't going to notice any difference at all.

[AmiableChimp]

jamiebae said:

I'm not entirely sure a new bike will make a difference. You're going to have a compact chainset (34T) and probably a 28 on the back so you're going to need to swap the cassette and possibly the rear mech to run a 32T or you aren't going to notice any difference at all.

Both Scott Speedster and Cube Peleton come with 50/34 and 11/32T according to specs bud.

[AmiableChimp]

Plus it's a reason to justify a new bike, isn't that enough in itself?