Originally Posted by
bruce19
my focus is really more on changing out the cogs on the cassette. < snip > just changing the cogs from 12-25 to something like 14-26. I think what got me thinking about all of this was the fact that I don't use the 53x12 or 53x13 very much. I was also curious to see what kind of gearing I could turn at a reasonable rpm now that I'm 66.
Ah, it's clearer now. Thanks.
I'm a big fan of multiple cassettes. Two of the first bike tools I bought were a chain whip and cassette lockring tool. My 9 and 10-speed bikes each have a 12-23 and a 12-27. My 8-speed has a 13-23 and 12-28. Once upon a time, I owned a 10-speed Ultegra juniors cassette, 16-27.
In any event, as much as possible, I run the 12-23s because I really like the close ratios at cruising speeds and above. It's part of the reason I've focused on strengthening my climbing, so I that can go on most rides without needing the 27. I'd have give up the 18 to get the 27, and especially in variable headwinds, I like having the 18. I miss it a lot on the 8 and 9-speed bikes. So I've learned to climb using flatlander gearing.
I haven't worried about what I can push in the 53 or 52. I'm in the 39 enough of the time I could probably forego the big ring entirely. I might use it twice in a day for maybe two or three miles total at most. More often, I just don't bother, and back off the power instead. What keeps me in the 12x cassettes instead of switching to a 14x juniors cassette is that I use the 13 a lot, and the 12 a lot more than I should.
I was going to say I have no need of an 11, but then I remembered I also own a 9-speed 11-21. Now there's a flatlander cassette.