Chainrings/cassette options - new to 11 speed
Discussion
After much swapping and changing I have decided to buy a frameset and build (get built up buy a LBS) to my spec.
My current bike, which I have had for 8 years now, runs a 9 speed cassette 12/23 and front chainrings 53/39.
I am going for Dura Ace as the build is for my upcoming 40th present to myself so decided not scrimp. There is retailer pretty local to me selling the following groupset options for below £1000
12-25 / 34/50
12-25 / 36/52
11-28 / 36/52
11-28 / 34/50
Its pretty flat near me but plan on doing a few trips this year so might come up against decent climbs in Wales or Scotland. Not being exposed to big climbs that often round here I wondered which might be the best all rounder from above?
Any help much appreciated.
My current bike, which I have had for 8 years now, runs a 9 speed cassette 12/23 and front chainrings 53/39.
I am going for Dura Ace as the build is for my upcoming 40th present to myself so decided not scrimp. There is retailer pretty local to me selling the following groupset options for below £1000
12-25 / 34/50
12-25 / 36/52
11-28 / 36/52
11-28 / 34/50
Its pretty flat near me but plan on doing a few trips this year so might come up against decent climbs in Wales or Scotland. Not being exposed to big climbs that often round here I wondered which might be the best all rounder from above?
Any help much appreciated.
OP,
Looks like you have a fairly old school standard double. Dead good for going fast flat / down a hill, hard work up a big hill though!
I live on the edge of the Cheshire plain - so spend most of my time in the peak district. I have a 11-28 / 34/50 setup on my bike, and find it pretty versatile. OK, sometimes I wish I had a lower gear (for evil things like Winnats pass, which is 20%), and very occasionally I can run out of gears the other way down a hill - but above 32 mph to be honest I'm going as fast as I dare anyway =)
If you got one this setup, you'd probably notice that the gaps between gears are bigger than you're used to - so it'd be less perfect for your local bits. All depends how realistic your hilly trip plan is - hats off to anyone hard enough to do a proper hill on 25/39 =)
Looks like you have a fairly old school standard double. Dead good for going fast flat / down a hill, hard work up a big hill though!
I live on the edge of the Cheshire plain - so spend most of my time in the peak district. I have a 11-28 / 34/50 setup on my bike, and find it pretty versatile. OK, sometimes I wish I had a lower gear (for evil things like Winnats pass, which is 20%), and very occasionally I can run out of gears the other way down a hill - but above 32 mph to be honest I'm going as fast as I dare anyway =)
If you got one this setup, you'd probably notice that the gaps between gears are bigger than you're used to - so it'd be less perfect for your local bits. All depends how realistic your hilly trip plan is - hats off to anyone hard enough to do a proper hill on 25/39 =)
I run a 52/36 11-28 10 speed setup and live in Yorkshire. I struggle with anything more than 10% incline to be honest, my riding partner runs a 50/34 11-32 11 speed setup and that slightly larger sprocket with the compact up front sees him spin up most things. I like the top end of the 52/11 combo, and I quite like the 36T 'granny' ring, next time I change the cassette I might see if I can go larger at the back.
Your 39-23 gives you a 45 gear inch and your 53-12 gives you a 116 gear inch
If you went
12-25/36-52 then 36-25 would give you a 38 gear inch and 52-12 would give you a 114 gear inch
12-25/34-50 then 34-25 would give you a 36 gear inch and 50-12 would give you a 110 gear inch
11-28/36-52 then 36-28 would give you a 34 gear inch and 52-11 would give you a 124 gear inch
11-28/34-50 then 34-28 would give you a 32 gear inch and 50-11 would give you a 120 gear inch
If you went
12-25/36-52 then 36-25 would give you a 38 gear inch and 52-12 would give you a 114 gear inch
12-25/34-50 then 34-25 would give you a 36 gear inch and 50-12 would give you a 110 gear inch
11-28/36-52 then 36-28 would give you a 34 gear inch and 52-11 would give you a 124 gear inch
11-28/34-50 then 34-28 would give you a 32 gear inch and 50-11 would give you a 120 gear inch
I have a 11-32 / 36/52 combination (11 speed). I ride in mostly flat London and the Surrey hills at the weekends with the occasional 21% gradient. I upgraded recently from a 28 on the back and I think the 32 has made a big difference to my climbing even if its just mental. I don't think I can generate enough power and speed to spin out on the flats with my combination, though I have managed it when descending. Also the ratios aren't as big a jump then they are on my 8 speed cassette on my other bike.
Mac. said:
I run a 52/36 11-28 10 speed setup and live in Yorkshire. I struggle with anything more than 10% incline to be honest, my riding partner runs a 50/34 11-32 11 speed setup and that slightly larger sprocket with the compact up front sees him spin up most things. I like the top end of the 52/11 combo, and I quite like the 36T 'granny' ring, next time I change the cassette I might see if I can go larger at the back.
Similar to me, I bought my bike with 52/36 and 11-28 but have swapped things for a 11-32 for some long rides with big climbs (and some Alpine stuff later in the year). I thought I'd miss the 11-28 as I really really enjoy fast rolling terrain and quick descents, but I've not found that to be an issue. I may end up keeping the 11-32 on permanently. Relative to my CV system my legs are quite weak (knee surgery is my other hobby) so I'm much happier spinning than grinding.I think it's only an issue if you've got a really narrow cadence preference and spend the majority of your rides on flat terrain.
I have 10sp 50/34 with an original 12-30 which is on the winter wheels, summer wheels is a 11 or 12-28.
I a bit like Gruffy have bad ish knee so cadence is the name of the game over until it drops on 15-25% stuff.
In Tenerife I had a mid compact Durace with 11/12-28 which was fine for climbing all day, there were a few 12-15% sections which were a little troublesome and one 2km section which averaged 15% with short sections of 25%.
I rarely find myself using the big ring / little ring as I cannot power it.
When I do the same as the OP (40th next year) I will go mid compact and 11-28, if it's a groupset upgrade to the existing then Ultegra as they do a longer rear mech.
I a bit like Gruffy have bad ish knee so cadence is the name of the game over until it drops on 15-25% stuff.
In Tenerife I had a mid compact Durace with 11/12-28 which was fine for climbing all day, there were a few 12-15% sections which were a little troublesome and one 2km section which averaged 15% with short sections of 25%.
I rarely find myself using the big ring / little ring as I cannot power it.
When I do the same as the OP (40th next year) I will go mid compact and 11-28, if it's a groupset upgrade to the existing then Ultegra as they do a longer rear mech.
audikentman said:
Personally I'd go for Di2 Ultegra but Di2 you wont regret it. No sticky cables, no adjustment, just fit and forget. I fitted Di2 10 speed over 2 years ago and its not missed a best (apart from when I forgot to charge the battery)
I was at a the LBS Saturday and test rode 2 different sized bikes before ordering my frameset and in that time 2 different people brought their Di2 equipped bikes in, not booked in just dropping it off, with issues. I had considered Di2 but wasn't sure, that put me off a bit and when the customers went the shop owner, who looks after 4 current world champs, said he had had quite a few Di2 bikes in with issues.
He isn't selling me the Dura Ace, I am getting it elsewhere as he cant compete on price, but he advised to stay away from Di2 for now as he felt it still needed time to develop.
Shame as I would have liked Di2 but Dura Ace will be more than good enough, my old bike has been fautless and it runs Ultegra front and rear mech.
I've honestly had no trouble with mine (Ultegra) converted a friends bike (bought the bits from various Ebay sellers, Ultegra) no trouble and a friend who bought a Giant with it fitted from new no trouble (Ultegra). I'd be interested in knowing what problems they've had. Possible the chain and rear mech all crudded up, it copes so well with dirt that people don't bother cleaning all the winter muck off.
Edited by audikentman on Tuesday 21st April 07:48
I have 2 bikes running ultegra Di2 and its brilliant, the first one has done thousands of miles and is still perfect, actually even better now you can hook it up to your Garmin and it gives you a battery level.
Shifts perfectly every time - and so much easier to set up than fiddling with cable tension - obviously like any mechanical system you need to look after it, i'd be interested to know what the issues are..........
Shifts perfectly every time - and so much easier to set up than fiddling with cable tension - obviously like any mechanical system you need to look after it, i'd be interested to know what the issues are..........
Matt_N said:
Can you get the 12-28 cassette, IMO it's nicer than an 11-28 as whilst you lose the 11t you'd never normally use that but you gain a 16t which mean less of a gap from 15-17 like you have on an 11-28.
Much more usable gear I'd say.
No 12-28 option I am afraid. Will the below be the ratios on each?Much more usable gear I'd say.
11-28: 11-12-13-14-15-17-19-21-23-25-28
12-25: 12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-21-23-25
Both will give much wider range than I have now?
audikentman said:
I've honestly had no trouble with mine (Ultegra) converted a friends bike (bought the bits from various Ebay sellers, Ultegra) no trouble and a friend who bought a Giant with it fitted from new no trouble (Ultegra). I'd be interested in knowing what problems they've had. Possible the chain and rear mech all crudded up, it copes so well with dirt that people don't bother cleaning all the winter muck off.
One guy brought in his TT bike he uses for Iron Man and it was the rear mach that was shot on that. Was out on a test ride when the other bike was dropped on. They another in the workshop that was suffering power drain/loss...wold hold charge at all. Matt_N said:
12-28 cassette option is available from Ribble as a groupset for £976 but yes it will give you a better spread of ratios than present.
With an 11-x you always lose either the 16 or 18t which is more useful IMO.
I was Ribble site last night....just had a look and they have it available with a 34/50 on 172.5 cranks.With an 11-x you always lose either the 16 or 18t which is more useful IMO.
Basically you can get any variation you want, don't limit to buying from this shop you mention, they don't have every option. Have a look at pro bike kit, they're usually very cheap for groupsets.
Personally I'd always like an 11 on there just incase you do have a tailwind on a slight downhill section
The only time I had a 12 and thought it was OK was when I had a 55t front ring on my roadbike. Even with 53-11 at times I've felt like I wanted a bigger gear at times, worth having it over the 12 I think.
Personally I'd always like an 11 on there just incase you do have a tailwind on a slight downhill section
The only time I had a 12 and thought it was OK was when I had a 55t front ring on my roadbike. Even with 53-11 at times I've felt like I wanted a bigger gear at times, worth having it over the 12 I think.Believe it not Evans have quite a few options...most places seem the same price within £10-ish of each other
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/dura-a...
Merlin are the cheapest I have found for the options they have on their bulk ordered stock...start at £900 for 12-25 / 34/50 or 12-25 / 36/52 and £930 for 11-28 / 36/52 or 11-28 / 34/50 for £940.
My thoughts are at £900 I could replace the cassette with 11/32 ,for an Ultegra its £40, if needed and still be cheaper than anything else I have seen....
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/dura-a...
Merlin are the cheapest I have found for the options they have on their bulk ordered stock...start at £900 for 12-25 / 34/50 or 12-25 / 36/52 and £930 for 11-28 / 36/52 or 11-28 / 34/50 for £940.
My thoughts are at £900 I could replace the cassette with 11/32 ,for an Ultegra its £40, if needed and still be cheaper than anything else I have seen....
Edited by BlueNGT on Tuesday 21st April 12:19
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