darkwing7

Is anyone else realizing that the 10 speed road configuration makes it very expensive to get lower gears by changing out the rear cassette like most other 9 speed bikes? I really don't have the money to dish out for a new shimano 105 BB and triple crankset + front derailleur. Or any brand of the above said parts really. Does anyone know if 10 speed mountain cassettes will be a possibility in the near future (say before next spring?)? Or will mountain bikes find a 10 sp config kind of useless, as it is.

well biked

Do a search for IRD cassettes, they make 10 speed "mountain" cassettes I believe. They're kinda pricey, though, if I'm not mistaken-

EDIT, Here's a link: https://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=1558

You'll very likely need a new rear derailleur as well-

nitropowered

You could use campy flat bar shifters. Largest cog on campy is 29t

darkwing7

Thanks well biked, I will check the link out. I was counting on not having to change my shifters however, what do you mean by your comment nitro? I'm also looking for a max rear cog of around 34t.

DMF 

Consider the unthinkable and look at trading in your current bike for what you really need, which is a triple drivetrain. To put one on this bike will cost a lot - brifter, crankset, both dérailleurs. Around $500.

darkwing7

But DMF, that's exactly what I am trying to avoid here by NOT changing the brifter, crankset and derailleurs. I think with the IRD cassette suggested and fingers crossed all I'll need to change are my rear D, the chain and ofcourse buying the $159 cassette. Still going to be cheaper than changing my BB and all the front stuff. Call me vain but I'm in love with my bike despite how ill fitted it is for a beginner rider like me.

'nother

You could try using a 9-speed mountain cassette with your 10-speed shifters. Please read this before hitting 'reply'...

Al1943

If you have 105 10-speed shifters you would not have to change them to go to a triple. You would need the new crankset, both derailleurs, and bottom bracket to match the crankset. The downside of a mountain cassette on a road bike is the big ratio jumps from cog to cog. I would hate that.

Al

darkwing7

Hey 'nother,
does that small adjustment to the derailleur relaly work? As in, have you tried it? Or seen it work?
Seems too good to be true...

'nother

Have seen it working.

Sheldon is a pretty good authority on it; he's described in more detail before as to why it works.