New bike and gearing
 

Got a new bike with a compact double (50/34. 11/28. ) the granny gear on it gives 32.18 gear inches. My old bike was a triple(30t granny and 25t rear cog) and it's granny gear works out to 31.8 gi.

Should I be able to feel this difference? Because the new bike seems a bit more punishing on hills but that difference seems slight. Could it be anything else?

Also do they make a shimano compatible 10 sp cassette that would have higher than 28 rear teeth for some more help?

Thanks.

You should be OK with your new gearing. Your triple had a slightly lower climbing range, but the difference is about 3%. This means that your crank will be turning 3% slower while you climb, if you are at all fit, it's meaningless.

Be sure the new bike is well adjusted and fits well, the new bike should not feel more punishing.

You cannot put a different cassette with a larger rear cog than 30 on your bike without changing the rear derailleur. Shimano's official maximum cog size in 28, but 30 fits.

If you wanted to install a long cage MTB rear derailleur, you could install a 11-32 Sram Apex ten speed cassette. This will give you a bigger range than your triple.

Absolutely no way you will feel the difference.

I purchased a shimano compatible 10 speed cassette made by IRD ( www.interlocracing.com ) that was an 11-34.
Full retail price was rediculous but the LBS gave it to me for 1/2 price.

Other factors than gearing contribute to how a bike feels. I achieved a huge benefit recently by changing MTB tires to road tires. Bike fit, handlebars and geometry also come in to play.

were you able to use that cassette without switching out the rear derailer?

thanks

[QUOTE=chumpy36;12386463]were you able to use that cassette without switching out the rear derailer?/QUOTE]

The original RD was an Ultegra Long Cage and it works fine

+1. I have a bike with the same triple setup you had (30-25) and a bike with a compact double like you now have (34-28). I can't discern a difference between those gears riding the bikes back to back.