Brink4422

I recently purchased a 2nd set of wheels on bonktown.com for my racing/triathlon/going fast wheels and I'm wondering whether to choose a different cassette for these.

I currently have a 105 crank with 53/39 and a 12/25 9spd cassette and it's my only experience with a road bike, so I'm not sure if I'm missing out on anything.

I'm 6'4" 210lbs and live in Maryland where it's rolling for the most part, not too many major hills.

Thanks!

StanSeven

Do you have trouble going up hills with your 25 gear? If not, switch to a 12/21 or 12/23 to get a better range of close gears. I'm 6'0" and 165 and don't find a need for anything more than a 21 gear around the DC area.

cyclist2000

Why did you get a new set of wheels? for racing? Touring? What do you think you need larger gearing? smaller? you need to look at your chain and see if you will need to add some chain links when changing the cassette size. If you want to go really large with a rear cassette you may need a new rear derailluer. What derailluer do you have? what is the cage length?

tsl

Don't ask us, ask your legs.

When asked, my legs always say they like small steps between the gears instead of big jumps. I know other people's legs say, "What the hell was that?" when they get a one-tooth difference between gears.

My "go for a bike ride" bikes run 53/39 in front, 12-23 rear, and stand for climbs. When I plan very hilly rides, or rides with long hills, I swap on a 12-27. My commuters also run 12-23 rear, but add a 30-tooth granny ring in front for hauling groceries uphill. When I mount the studded snow tires, which weigh nearly a kilo apiece, I switch to a 12-27.

Pat

I agree with TSL. It is a matter of asking your legs. The body has to endure what the ego decrees. I can make it up all of the hills here in Central Florida with a 53/39 and 12-25. But I am not you and Maryland is not Florida. It is always nice to have one more gear than you "think" you are likely to need. But if you don't ride hills in your area that much, you can always get a 12-27 and use it for those rare times when you do an extra hilly ride.