View Full Version : Upgrading cassette questions
First, I'm not great w/all the cycling terminology, so please bear with me! I have a Cannondale R500/650 wheels...just bought new Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels, that I love, but feel like I'm max'g out when shifting into the higher gears. Local bike mechanic recommended upgrading my cassette & chain (which has about 25% wear right now) Currently, I have Shimano Tiagra 12/25 and was thinking of upgrading to Ultegra 12/27. Is this worth it? If not, any recommendations would be much appreciated. I'm not looking to spend a fortune -- next big expenditure will be a new bike, so this is to improve my ride experiences!
audiojan
04-21-05, 11:39 AM
What is your front rings? Maybe a bit more expensive solution, but have you considered a compact (50/34)? This would allow you quite a wide range with the 12/25 you already have and I've found that the compact really promotes good cadence.
Don't you need higher gears? Bigger chainrings for a 650cc
What is your front rings? Maybe a bit more expensive solution, but have you considered a compact (50/34)? This would allow you quite a wide range with the 12/25 you already have and I've found that the compact really promotes good cadence.
Front ring is a triple--52. I just got back from a bike shop and they were recommending new cassette (11/23) and chain. Apparently, I have 25% wear on my chain and wasn't told by my regular mechanic to replace....Is there any significant difference b/w SRAM and Shimano? Considering either Shimano Ultegra 9 speed cassette and HG-93 chain or SRAM PG970 Road Cassette & Hollowpin chain...
Don't you need higher gears? Bigger chainrings for a 650cc
My front ring is a 52 -- don't think I want to go bigger than that, do I?
barleyrocket
04-21-05, 01:54 PM
First, I'm not great w/all the cycling terminology, so please bear with me! I have a Cannondale R500/650 wheels...just bought new Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels, that I love, but feel like I'm max'g out when shifting into the higher gears. Local bike mechanic recommended upgrading my cassette & chain (which has about 25% wear right now) Currently, I have Shimano Tiagra 12/25 and was thinking of upgrading to Ultegra 12/27. Is this worth it? If not, any recommendations would be much appreciated. I'm not looking to spend a fortune -- next big expenditure will be a new bike, so this is to improve my ride experiences!
by maxing out do you mean that you can't push the gear or that your spinning out and you need more gears to keep pushing?
Well, a 650 wheel is smaller then a 700 (obviously) so one crank revolution on a 650 won't get you as far as a 700.
Few can sustain a 50-12 for extended periods w/ a 700 wheel. 650 is another matter. if you're spinning out a 50-12, a 53 might be in order.
What are you riding? what sze? what is your height? Few tri bikes really need 650 wheels nowadays.
by maxing out do you mean that you can't push the gear or that your spinning out and you need more gears to keep pushing?
Spinning out and need more gears to keep pushing
Well, a 650 wheel is smaller then a 700 (obviously) so one crank revolution on a 650 won't get you as far as a 700.
Few can sustain a 50-12 for extended periods w/ a 700 wheel. 650 is another matter. if you're spinning out a 50-12, a 53 might be in order.
What are you riding? what sze? what is your height? Few tri bikes really need 650 wheels nowadays.
I'm riding a Cannondale R500 road bike, 44cm - female specific. I'm 4'11'' and weigh about 105 lbs. Appreciate the input!
cjbruin
04-21-05, 07:04 PM
If you're spinning out, going from a 12-25 to a 12-27 won't help you. I'm not sure I understand what you are asking us.
My front ring is a 52 -- don't think I want to go bigger than that, do I?
650 wheels often come with larger chainrings to make the equivalent gearing to a 700 wheel. A 55/42 or 56/42 chainrings for 650s. With a 52 you have a lower geared (easier) setup.
I'm riding a Cannondale R500 road bike, 44cm - female specific. I'm 4'11'' and weigh about 105 lbs. Appreciate the input!
my girlfriend has the same bike, but in the 40CM.
The 40cm has the 160mm crank, not sure on the 44cm.
A larger front ring is your only real option. I know how hard it can be for women under 5' to find a bike that fits, so you must have tried a great many bikes to settle on this one.
a 55 tooth front ring should work. Not sure what the bolt pattern is on the crank, but that is something to bring up with your mechanic. an 11-23 cassette would help, but it would be so minimal, i'm not sure its worth the money.
audiojan
04-22-05, 09:20 AM
How high is your cadence? Seems unreasonable that you spin out unless you are wickedly fast.. :)
pcsanity1
04-22-05, 06:39 PM
You will have a worse situation going to a 12-27....the LBS mechanic does not appear to know what he is talking about.
My wife went to a 11-23 and loves it. The 11 is what will give you "more gears" withouth topping out your cadence.
Scarry when the LBS mechanic suggested you going to a 12-27. With 650's and an 11-23 my wife runs her big ring and 11 at about 24 mph and 90 cadence....without increasing cadence she can not go faster.
PC
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