New cassette....?
08-20-12, 10:49 AM
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New cassette....?
Hi there bike geniuses,
I just got my first "road-style" bike, it's actually a Giant TCX1 (cyclocross).
I was wondering if I got a larger cassette.....how much of a difference will I notice in the lower gears?? I have a 12x26 10 speed on this bike currently. I don't want to waste the money if I'm only going to notice a very very very subtle change in the gearing. I am used to my 24 speed mountain bike, so the gear range is very different to me (and I miss the granny gears on the killers hills when my legs are all used up!).
Thanks!
I just got my first "road-style" bike, it's actually a Giant TCX1 (cyclocross).
I was wondering if I got a larger cassette.....how much of a difference will I notice in the lower gears?? I have a 12x26 10 speed on this bike currently. I don't want to waste the money if I'm only going to notice a very very very subtle change in the gearing. I am used to my 24 speed mountain bike, so the gear range is very different to me (and I miss the granny gears on the killers hills when my legs are all used up!).
Thanks!
08-20-12, 10:54 AM
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You'd have to check to see how large a cassette your bike (derailleur in particular) is capable of. A 28 will likely fit but those 2 extra teeth won't make much difference. If you have a long cage derailleur, which you might on a CX bike, you could go to a 32 or larger and that would be noticeable.
08-20-12, 10:57 AM
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I would. The difference between 26t and 28t is sometimes the difference between making it to the top or having to walk, at least for me.
08-20-12, 11:51 AM
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It looks like the TCX1 comes with a 130mm BCD crank and 46/38 chainrings. That's common for cross racing but higher than what many people need for road riding that includes climbs.
You need a "compact" 110mm BCD crank with 50/34 chainrings. If you just bought it, try asking the shop. They may be able to make a deal to keep you happy.
You need a "compact" 110mm BCD crank with 50/34 chainrings. If you just bought it, try asking the shop. They may be able to make a deal to keep you happy.
08-21-12, 03:26 PM
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Out of curiousity, how much-ish (a range) should I expect to pay for a conversion to a larger rear cassette or to a compact? The place where I bought my bike seems to run on the more expensive side for everything, so I just want to get an idea of what I should expect kind of as a price (although I do know quality of the components could change the cost dramatically).
08-21-12, 03:58 PM
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I just changed my cassette from a 105 12-25 to a SRAM PG-1070 12-28. Worked great. Had to adjust the der a bit, but it works well.
A bunch of us Clyde's just did part of a local mountain climb here in L.A. a few weeks ago. Now, I'm 30 lbs overweight, just finished a year of laying around doing nothing (medical), have no hamstring in my right leg and am generally out of shape. I did part of the climb in the 25 just to see if I NEEDED to change it. I could have done it, but it would have been really hard on my knees. I was very grateful for the 28. I could definitely feel the difference. When I get stronger, maybe I'll put the 12-25 back on, but I doubt it.
BTW, I paid $86 on ebay for the new-in-box cassette.
A bunch of us Clyde's just did part of a local mountain climb here in L.A. a few weeks ago. Now, I'm 30 lbs overweight, just finished a year of laying around doing nothing (medical), have no hamstring in my right leg and am generally out of shape. I did part of the climb in the 25 just to see if I NEEDED to change it. I could have done it, but it would have been really hard on my knees. I was very grateful for the 28. I could definitely feel the difference. When I get stronger, maybe I'll put the 12-25 back on, but I doubt it.
BTW, I paid $86 on ebay for the new-in-box cassette.
08-21-12, 05:59 PM
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Colorado Cyclist has a sale on Sram Rival compact cranks for $160. Normally they are in the $240 range. But before you buy a new one, double check that the one you have is 130mm BCD. The distance between bolt centers for 110mm BCD is 64.7mm. On 130mm BCD its 76.4mm.
If the one you have is actually 110mm you can buy 50t and 34t rings for it.
https://www.vueltausa.com/media/pdf/bcd_guide.pdf
If the one you have is actually 110mm you can buy 50t and 34t rings for it.
https://www.vueltausa.com/media/pdf/bcd_guide.pdf
