tandemnh

I ride a 2004 Cannondale R2000. I love the ride but I want to expand the climbing capability. My current gearing is a 12x27 with the climbing gear a "27" but I would like to go a bit bigger.

Can I bump up to the 6700 or should I consider SRAM? What is the best way to transition? What do I need to consider?

My goal is better climbing as I live in NH and I love to climb hills and I need to catch up to a couple riding partners on the hills. One has a Madon 6.9 with a "28", he is also a couple inches shorter and 10 lbs lighter.

I'd love a new bike but I have 3 kids in college....

Retro Grouch 

Calculate the ratios. Frankly, there isn't very much difference between a 27 and a 28 tooth rear cog.

mcyak

Unsure about the 6500 series but the 6600 ultegra is-according to shimanos technical support devision-incompatable with the 6700 series cassette.
The good news-I suppose- is: either the 6600 or the 6700 derailleur (and the 105 series stuff as well-again according to shimanos tech.support)works fine with existing 10speed brifters.
If the 6500 series are 9spd, I'm assuming the situation might be the same.
Apparently the new (5700 series stuff)105 derailleurs come in two setups. Road and touring and the touring derailleur will handle up to 32t cassettes while still offering crisp shifting.
(anyone having issues with what I wrote..please....contact Shimanos Tech. Support devision as they're the ones who offered the info)
I posted a similar question a few months back.
Some respondents had tweaked a 6600 derailleur to handle the 28t cog on the 6700 series cassette.
I had a top pro shop give it a go with my ultegra 6600 setup and wasn't happy with the shifting at all.
Picked up a nearly new 6600 12-27 and went with that.
Not great but better than the 25.

Cyclesafe

Get a MTB rear derailleur and a 11-32 or 11-34 9 speed cassette. That (along with Ultegra 6510 shifters) is what I run on my touring bike. For me, the larger gap between cogs (even while unloaded) is scarcely noticeable and I still can run a road cassette when I find I'm not using the lower gears. NB: I have a 46T big ring; with 50-53T road rings you might need to put a few more links in your chain.

surreal

i agree, the difference between a 27 and 28t as your lowest gear in a cassette is pretty minor. I'd also like to point out that 6500 rear derailers can handle a 28t, so if you're due for a new cassette, grab something in a 11-28. If your cassette is still in good enough shape, i'd stick with it, as the improvement in climbing wouldn't be major. Another option would be a compact crankset, or grab yourself an mtb-series shimano RD in conjunction with a 11/34 or 11/32 cassette, although some folks don't like the big "jumps" between gears.

-rob

tandemnh

So would you be suggesting



SRAM PG970 9-Speed Cassette by Sram with maybe a SRAM X.9 Rear Bicycle Derailleur (MTB)? Would this be a feasible replacement for those rides with big hills? On the Derailleur, what size cage would be required for the set up on my bike?

tandemnh

Would this be a viable option?
Shimano SLX CS-HG-61 Cassette Cs-Hg61, 9-Speed, 11-34

Would I need to change the Ultegra Derailleur?

ArthurIhde

not much difference between them

tandemnh

How do I determine the correct cage length on the rear derailleur?

Barrettscv 

You would need a new derailleur for a 34 rear cog. A Shimano long-cage (SGS) rear derailer, such as Deore, LX, XT, XTR would be needed. But it is a worth while upgrade if you want the better gearing for hills.

I was able to slip a 11-32 cassette on-to my bike with an Ultegra GS rear Derailleur, but the fit is partually due to the hanger design on the bike. A shorter hanger would not allow this combination.

Harris Cyclery has a 11-30 or 12-30 9 speed cassette that would not require a new derailleur: https://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=2369

Barrettscv 

From Sheldon Brown: https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/derailers-rear.html

Wide Range SGS 86 mm center-to-center If you want to use a rear sprocket bigger than 30 teeth, this is the type you must have.
The marketeers call this a "mountain" size, but that's a bogus designation. This is what you want for most touring applications.

Medium Range GS 74 mm center-to-center Erroneously called "long cage" in "road" contexts, this is actually the medium length cage.
It is, however the longest that has the marketing designation "road." Shimano rates this with a max size of 27T cog, but a 30t fits all bikes and 32t will fit many, depending on hanger length.

Narrow range SS 50 mm center-to-center Road racing. Not recommended for general use. SS cage derailers don't work any better than GS models, just a couple of grams lighter.

tandemnh

I'm thinking the 12-30 is the trick. I'm going to give this a try first. Adds the extra cog just 3T up without having to go with a new derailleur. I'll get a new chain too.

Barrettscv 

What crankset is on the bike? What front chainwheels?

tandemnh

Shimano Ultegra, 39/53

Al1943

That's probably the best bet. You may need to adjust the "B" screw so that the rear derailleur's upper pulley can clear the chain. Or it may be necessary to replace the B screw with a longer one or insert the one you have backwards. A hardware store should be able to help you with a longer compatible screw if needed.
Be sure to size the new chain for the big chainring-big cog combination just in case you accidentally cross-chain to that combination. This is to avoid damage.

tandemnh

Thanks to all for the input yesterday.

CCrew

I'd be interested in hearing what the incompatibility is, because I'm using a 6700 cassette on two bikes with the rest all 6600 just fine.