Originally Posted by
Hermes
I picked up an Ultegra 12/30 cassette for my Mount Ventoux climb in July. I have it on my Cervelo R5 with a SRAM Red long cage rear der and a 50/34 crankset on the front. I have the cassette on the bike and it is a nice climbing cassette. My power seems better when I hit the steeper switchback in the lower gear because my legs do not load up as much. There is one awkward step in the middle of the cassette where the cadence always seems too high or too low.
I would opt for the compact double and 12/30 cassette but there is nothing wrong with a triple if it is available, the width "Q" factor is okay and it works with the frame.
SaiKaiTai, have you climbed Old La Honda yet? That is a great test hill for gearing combinations.
OLH?!? No, that's always scared the bejeebers out of me. I have taken 92 East but I don't think that's quite the same.
I always felt pretty good with the 30/30 I had on my Lemond. To bad it was a 9 speed, I would have brought it over to the Giant
I've never really had a problem with the triple's "Q", nor the triple "Q" plus the external BB "Q" (BBQ? Did I just say that???)
And I've never had adjustment problems with a triple. I set 'em and the tend to stay put. I have to tighten the barrels every once in a while, that's about it. Yes, you have to pop the trim once in a while... Hardly a major effort
The idea of swapping the 30 chainring out for a smaller one -if I found one that fit- is intriguing... but, then, so is a new bike.
Maybe this Saturday, I'll head over to the Sports Basement and check out the Felt (the BMC is a wee bit too pricey for me)
Then... I *should* be training for the Giro de Pacifica on June 29th.