New to Bike Forums, need gearing advice
05-13-13, 12:49 PM
#1
Roubaix Fan
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Location: North-Central VT (just outside Montpelier)
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New to Bike Forums, need gearing advice
Greetings!
I'm new to the Forums. I have a gearing question. Which forum is the best place to post this? Or is there anyone who has done this here? Thanks for reading...
Question: "I'm running a Specialized Roubaix with a mix of Red and Force components. My chainrings are 50/34, my cassette is 11-28 (Ultegra I think). Living in Vermont I've been struggling with the Cat 4 and steeper climbs, I could really use one or two easier gears. I know, 34-28 isn't bad, but being a spinner, I just can't spin it fast enough, so I end up more like Jan Ulrich and have to pound the gears to get up our gap rides, resorting to switchbacking using the whole road at times. I was wondering if I can go to an 11-32 cassette and keep my Red rear and front Force derailiers, or can I go down to a 30 small chainring, (but then do I need to go down to a 48 big chainring)? I have the Pro model S-Works carbon crank, so I don't even know if going down to smaller chainrings is an option which is why I thought the cassette option might be the better way to go..."
Any thoughts?
I'm new to the Forums. I have a gearing question. Which forum is the best place to post this? Or is there anyone who has done this here? Thanks for reading...
Question: "I'm running a Specialized Roubaix with a mix of Red and Force components. My chainrings are 50/34, my cassette is 11-28 (Ultegra I think). Living in Vermont I've been struggling with the Cat 4 and steeper climbs, I could really use one or two easier gears. I know, 34-28 isn't bad, but being a spinner, I just can't spin it fast enough, so I end up more like Jan Ulrich and have to pound the gears to get up our gap rides, resorting to switchbacking using the whole road at times. I was wondering if I can go to an 11-32 cassette and keep my Red rear and front Force derailiers, or can I go down to a 30 small chainring, (but then do I need to go down to a 48 big chainring)? I have the Pro model S-Works carbon crank, so I don't even know if going down to smaller chainrings is an option which is why I thought the cassette option might be the better way to go..."
Any thoughts?
05-13-13, 12:52 PM
#2
Carpe Velo
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I don't have an answer for you on it, however this sounds like a compatibility question you have. The bicycle mechanics forum would probably be the best sub-forum to post it on.
05-13-13, 12:58 PM
#3
Roubaix Fan
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Thanks! I posted there, I'll see what happens...
05-13-13, 01:01 PM
#4
got the climbing bug
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no the Red Rear D can't handle that large of a cassette in the back. Good thing is that SRAM uses the same shifting ratio for their MTBs, so you can run XX, XO, X9, X7, X5 10 speed rear Ds in medium cage no problem. Any of these 10speed rear D with work with the shifter you already have. Longer chain will also be needed.
__________________
Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
Rule #10 // It never gets easier, you just go faster.
05-13-13, 01:21 PM
#6
Roubaix Fan
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Location: North-Central VT (just outside Montpelier)
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Can I run a new Force Wifi RD with my old school Red shift/brake levers?
05-13-13, 01:25 PM
#7
Senior Member
05-13-13, 01:25 PM
#8
SuperGimp
yes you can. The only difference is that it takes up more chain.
Post a picture of your bike dammit!
Welcome to BF.
Post a picture of your bike dammit!
Welcome to BF.
05-13-13, 01:39 PM
#9
Roubaix Fan
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Here's what it looks like, not my actual bike. I've changed the seat and stem: My seat is now a black Romin, and my stem is now a bit longer and is white. I also have a 2004 Titus 26er in Blue.
Last edited by dreamwalkn; 05-13-13 at 01:45 PM. Reason: added picture...
