Bicycle Mechanics - Cassette Suggestions? Colorado

I live in Colorado and came from a bike with a triple in the front. That was great while it lasted, but I upgraded to a 2006 Fuji Team with 36/50 in the front and 11-23 10 speed in the rear. I have trouble going up steep hills and trying to keep my cadence in the right zone. Being a beginner, i think the gearing is just too high for climbing hills. I would like to make some mountain climbs later on as I get better. What gearing do you guys recommend? And is there a limit for the highest number of teeth I can achieve in the cassette?

I am looking at the tools to remove the cassette and know that I need the lockring tool and a chainwhip. There is one lockring tool with a stick and one without. Does anyone know which one I need?

Thank you!

For tools, see the guide here, it should cover everything you need to know. http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/cassette-and-freewheel-removal

For cassettes, you most likely have a short cage rear derailleur, this will take upto a 12-30t cassette (you may need to reverse the b screw for this), although a 12-27 or 11-28 will give closer ratios, and should make life a lot easier going up hill.

As per tool.
I have the remover without the pilot, but I use the QR skewer or axle nut to hold the tool in place.
Both should work, but I see no reason for me to "upgrade".

Assuming your chain is properly sized, you'll need a longer chain to use a larger "big" cog.

Another option is a smaller "granny" ring.
You can theoretically go down to 33T with a 110mm BCD crank.....IF you can find one.
http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/chainrings/110.html

That would result in about an 8% reduction in gearing or equivalent to going to a 25T large cog from your 23T.
IF that would work, you wouldn't need a new chain.

I would try a cassette with bigger cogs and leave the crankset chainrings alone for now. You probably do not need an 11 cog on the cassette. A 12-37 may be enough. You could go to a 12-32 but would need a 9-speed mountain type rear derailleur to be on the safe side. Do not buy a 10-speed mountain derailleur, they are not compatible with road shifters.

An 11-28 cassette is almost guaranteed to work with your setup, but you'll need a slightly longer chain.

Also, practice climbing out of the saddle. :thumb:

As a shop tool the 1 with the pin , 1/2'' drive and the ratchet wrench
are the way to go..

An 11-28 cassette is almost guaranteed to work with your setup, but you'll need a slightly longer chain.

Also, practice climbing out of the saddle. :thumb:

Is there a way to make the chain longer without getting a whole new one? The chain I have on probably has less than 200 miles on it.. I was on a hill today that even out of saddle, I was beginning to stall!! I think 11-28 will be good. I never used the 11 before as I don't ride crazy fast.

Hmm, what brand is the chain? 10-speed chains are finickier than the ones of old, so you can't add length to most of them without a special pin.

Hmm, what brand is the chain? 10-speed chains are finickier than the ones of old, so you can't add length to most of them without a special pin.

I believe the chain is Shimano CN-5600

I believe the chain is Shimano CN-5600

If you have some of the chain, the KMC Missing Links would allow you to easily add a length.

I believe the chain is Shimano CN-5600

Yeah, I found this on Google: http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/techdocs/content/cycle/SI/Chain/SI_08V0C/SI-08V0C-001-ENG_v1_m56577569830682230.pdf

You'd need two special pins and a chain tool (if you didn't have it already) -- hopefully you didn't throw out the leftover chain! ;)

argg.. i bought the bike with the original chain.... Oh well I will just have to buy a new chain when i decide to upgrade.

11-28 sounds good now; im just worried the gear spacing is too big.

argg.. i bought the bike with the original chain.... Oh well I will just have to buy a new chain when i decide to upgrade.

Buying a new chain with a new cassette is rarely a bad idea. :thumb:


11-28 sounds good now; im just worried the gear spacing is too big.

They're closer than what I ride (6-speed 14-28 and 7-speed 12-28) -- you'll be fine. Work on that spin if you can't yet. ;)