MTBLover

I've got a Bianchi Volpe that I am thinking about swapping out the stock wheels for some basic road wheels for those times when I focus on road rides and the trainer.

So far, everything's stock- wheels are Shimano Tiagra (with WTB Terrainosaurus 700x28c), rd is a Shimano Deore XT, crank is 28/38/48T, and the cassette is SRAM, 11/32T 9spd.

Any suggestions for a good wheelset (was thinking just entry level here- Axiums or the like, probably with Gatorskins), and should I also think about swapping out the cassette for something like a 12/25?


Thanks in advance!

CastIron

Keep your cassette, less fuss with the driveline. After that, sure, pick a wheelset.

MTBLover

Thanks- that's what I was thinking too. I think the gearing will be fine anyway.

carpediemracing 

If you're swapping the complete wheelset I'd get a second SRAM 9s cassette. Because of your 48T big ring I'd get an 11T small cog. For the biggest you probably won't need even a 25 unless you stay off the small ring up front. Prob an 11-23 (do they make such things?) would work. A 48x11 is not a huge gear on the road, esp on descents and fast sections.

The Shimano derailleur will work from gear to gear regardless of the cog size, esp for the smaller cogs (11t range). On the larger ones a B-screw adjustment will keep things crisp if your road setup has smaller big cogs (23 or 25 versus 32).

I think you'll find that swapping wheels without having to swap cassettes is very straightforward, clean, neat. Doing the same but having to do the cassette is sort of a pain. I bought a lot of expensive cassettes so I wouldn't have to swap cassettes between my different wheels. And SRAM cassettes are pretty cheap (we're running an 11-25 on our 9s tandem which previously had an 11-34 - and it needed no adjustment when I swapped the cassette).

There may be a wear problem between the chain and the cassette/s. Usually you can put a new chain on without worrying about a slightly older cassette. The reverse isn't good though - a new cassette under a worn chain will skip.

If you do get a chain, get the most durable chain you can and put it on using the right tool. Until I went to 10s, I used Shimano DA 9s chains on my Campy drivetrain (now I use Campy 10s chains). I always bought the appropriate chain tool and never had a chain go on me.

hope this helps,
cdr

merlinextraligh

I agree with the second cassette. It makes the swap a 2 minute, no tool job, instead of 10-15 minute, where did I leave the chainwhip, job.

As for wheels, Ultegra/ Open Pro really are good wheels. You can get them under $200 at Performance with the right coupons.

MTBLover

Thank you both- this is really helpful. For the $60 or so for another cassette, it sounds best to just get one and leave it on the road wheelset. Thanks for the advice re: chain and wheel suggestion too!