sfnorton

Hello all. I'm 53, semi-in-shape, and new to road biking. I rode a road bike when I was a kid but it was a steel tubed cheapie. My new bike is a 2011 Trek Madone 5.2 with the triple crank option. I live in a pretty hilly area, California Central Coast, and even with the triple crank, at times I could use a few more teeth in the cassette. I currently am running the stock 11-28 105 cassette. Could I use a 11-32 xt cassette without having to change my derailer? Is there another cassette option that would work? I'm guessing I'd have to replace my chain too?

Thanks for any replys. I'm really loving getting back on the roads.

jezmellors

Someone will correct me if i'm wrong but i think, as long as the brand is compatible, you can have any tooth configuration you like on your cassette. Of course, if you are running 9 speed shifters you need to stick with 9 speed cassettes etc. and that will determine your chain too, 9 speed chain on 9 speed cassette.

TonyA

I think it probably won't work, assuming you have a 105 rear derailleur. But I think it depends on exactly which model. Rear derailleur specs usually include a minimum and maximum sprocket. Here's a 105 rear that says it's limited to 11-28. And here's an XT rear that says it can go from 11-36.

When I lived in Seattle I had a 14-32 freewheel on my road bike. That low gear was great on those hills.

CbadRider

Welcome to the forum!

I've moved your thread from Introductions to the Bicycle Mechanics forum.

cyccommute 

The limits on a rear derailer are very conservative. The best thing to do is to get a new cassette and see if it works. You'll need a new chain because the range is larger and the chain has to be longer to accommodate that change. A new cassette will cost you around $70 (google them) and a chain will be $40 to $50. Some people report that they can make a 32 work with a road derailer and others just don't bother.

A new mountain bike derailer will make life much easier, however.

Keep all the old parts - at least initially - in case you have to change back.

jimc101

You many find compatibility issues trying to run 10 speed road with 10 speed Dyna-Sys (Shimano mtb).

Shimano do a 12-30 in the 4600 Tiagra range; SRAM do a 11-32 in the Apex range, you will probably need to change you RD if it is a short cage, as these as spec'd or 11-28t (which is another option), the long cage can handle the 32t, a new chain would be needed if you went for a larger cassette.

davidad

Replace the 30 on the front with a 24.

cyccommute 

Probably can't. The Ultegra has a inner BCD of 92 mm which is too large for a 24 tooth inner.

Ellis Wyatt

Welcome to Bike Forums

gilaasepeda

this what im using on my road bike triple crank tiagra fc 4603, tiagra rd 4600 gs long, my cassettes 12-30. for your 105 rd max tooth what shimano say 28. which is for tiagra long max tooth 30. maybe this is the lightest for road bike using road bike component shimano for hilly ...... PS: sorry for my messy English

cobba

If you do get a new mtb derailleur it'll have to be a 9 speed, the 10 speed mtb derailleur won't work with your 10 speed road shifters.

bradtx

sfnorton, Here's a link that may help: https://www.bikeforums.net/archive/in.../t-799502.html .

Brad

davidad

I knew they screwed up the DA, but I didn't know that they did it to the Ultegra. They suck!