Originally Posted by
c_m_shooter
REI has an 8 speed 12-25 cassette for $30. If you don't like your triple, just unbolt your inner ring and adjust the endpoint of the derailer so that you can only shift between the two bigger rings. There isn't much point in spending the money to upgrade to 9 or 10 speeds unless your shifters were wore out and you needed to replace them anyway.
Thanks for the responses everyone. For $30 this seems like it will do what I want (and cheap!) well enough till some day in the future when I can upgrade. I don't think I will bother removing the smallest chainring, not worth the work. Plus always good for that what-if scenario (although Ive done a few tough hills and still haven't found a use for it). I think 12-25 is a good fit as I do use the 26 now, so I'd like to have the 25 in there then to go so low as a 23. I guess I should mention I'm on the 52 front 95% of the time and i really only go down to the 42 on an uphill. And yes I am racing, I prettymuch only ride this bike for Triathlon training which I will be doing year round (obviously I'm new to it all though). I have an old Trek Hybrid with Knobby tires that I mountain bike with or ride to the store or the pool and stuff like that.