Chain set/gering help

[insurance_jon]

I'm just speccing my new build for a road bike, and balancing budget/needs/desire for shiny things.

I'm liking the new mid compact 52/36 chainset on the 11sp dura ace, but it isn't available in ultegra as far as I can see.

I have noticed there is a 11-32 rear cassette though for ultegra, if I paired that with the 53/39 chainrings would that work out similar to the 52//36 with an 11-28 cassette?

sorry if this sounds dumb but can't find an easy to understand answer online

[S6PNJ]

Put the details into here: http://www.gear-calculator.com/ and it should hopefully tell you all you need to know.

[chorus]

Also take into account the 'capacity' of your rear mech.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derailleur_gears#Cage...

11-32 and 53/39 gives a 21+14 = 35 tooth total. Make sure the rear mech can handle it.

[Rouleur]

I can't see a DA mech being able to take a 32T. Why not just go for a 50/34 chainset and 11-25 cassette? A 50x11 will you up to the best part of 40mph after which you don't need any more gears.

[simonk68]

Get yourself a Rotor 110BCD chainset and a set of aftermarket chainrings e.g. PraxisWorks for your 52/36 (don't think Rotor do no-Q rings in 52/36, or at least I couldn't find anyone who was selling them) - looks better than the current DA chainset in my opinion. If you then find that 28 on the back isn't enough, you can go full compact pretty easily with a set of 50/34, and way cheaper than buying a spare set of Dura Ace rings

I went mid-compact on my best bike with 28 on the back, it was plenty for a 7 day stage race in the alps. Only comment I would add is that compared to a standard, it's a long drop from the 52 ring to the 36. I'd recommend sticking on a chain spotter or a Deda dog-fang, and make sure your front mech is really, really well set up.

[Vikeonabike]

Took a lot of setting up but I finally went for a 44 front and 15 rear...no just that, a ring at the front and one at the rear.. none of this wussy freewheel stuff either!

[insurance_jon]

Rouleur said:

I can't see a DA mech being able to take a 32T. Why not just go for a 50/34 chainset and 11-25 cassette? A 50x11 will you up to the best part of 40mph after which you don't need any more gears.

Sorry for the confusion I meant I was looking on Merlin cycles and saw the cassette option on the ultegra group set and wondered if it was an option. As there isn't a mid compact on there for ultegra


From this thread it looks like there might be other options to pursue