Licensed Bike Geek
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Los Barriles, Baja Sur, Mexico
Posts: 1,360
Bikes: Look 585, Kirk Terraplane, Serotta Ottrott, Spectrum Super Custom, Hampsten Carbon Leger Tournesol
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Another alternative, less expensive, that works very well for me in the big hills here in Eastern Washington is to replace your cassette and rear der with a Shimano MTB cassette (12-32) and XT derailluer. It works perfectly with my Dura-Ace everything else and, if I want, it can be switched back to the Dura-Ace der and cassette easily. The only downside is that the gear ratios are a little wide in the three large cogs, but when you need a bail-out and aren't willing to sacrifice your knees, it's perfect.