Originally Posted by
cvall91
Couldn't find anything in search so sorry if there actually is something.
I recently got a new road bike and the current gears are 12-28 in the back and 50-34 in the front. I was talking to someone in my group about his wheels and said that before the wheels, a big upgrade will be changing the gears. He said to get a 11-25 cassette and switch the chainrings to 53-39. He said I'll easily get a 2mph gain and much cheaper than wheels. Would switching these actually be that much of an improvement? I mainly do group rides in the 20+ speed group if that changed anything.
Thanks
No, it would not be an upgrade at all. With the 11 alone you will gain a gear that you will use mostly downhill, and changing to a 53 would add another one you will use mainlyh downhill. Adding high gears will never, never increase your speed.
I have never ridden with a group (and I raced cat 3) where anyone spun at less than 90 rpm (most were 100-120) At that cadence the 50/11 is 33 mph. the 53/11 moves that to 35 mph. More typical rpm's take you into the 40 mph realm. I raced a criterium where we averaged a blistering 29mph (fast for a cat 3/4 crit). I had a 48/13 high gear (on a loaded tour, so had a smaller chainring). I finished 6th because I was boxed out on the sprint.
For the type of riding you specify I do agree with the 39 small ring, as shifting will be crisper, less jarring, and you will have a greater selection of cruising gears.