Originally Posted by
briscoelab
+1
If you're spinning your 27 and it isn't STEEP (and a long steep climb at that....) the only thing you'll be doing effectively is watching everyone else pull away from you. Just a simple fact.... you need to be able to "spin" a large gear to keep up.
Obviously you have to get what works for you.... a lot of that takes time to figure out. That's why I suggest getting a few cassettes to play with and see what works well for you. Ultegra cassettes are stupid cheap form probikekit.... by 3 of them (12-23, 12-25, and 12-27) and start riding!
I'd rather have easier combos than I need than not have them when I need them.
I can climb okay on my 53/39 and 12-25, but I'd prefer a 53/38 and a 12-27, or even a compact.
One of the racers on this forum races in the 2's with a compact. Doesn't seem to give him any trouble in crits or road races. Some people put out more power at a slightly higher cadence. If I get dropped, it's because you're stronger than me, my gearing wouldn't matter.