w00die

I am currently riding a Sequoia Elite with 9 speed Tiagra/105 mix on it. It has a 50x39x30 Tiagra crank with a SRAM PG-950, 9-speed 11-28 cassette. I recently picked up an Ultegra SL 10 speed group with a 52-39-30 crank and it came with a 12-23 cassette (10 speed). I live just North of Columbus for reference. I am new to the area so have not done a lot of riding here to know what I will need as far as hill climbing gears. I know that the 12-23 is likely gonna leave me serious lacking for hills, which I am still building my ability for. My question is, would I be ok with a 12-25 or should I go 12-27. Will I really miss the 27 that much? I would also like to hear opinions on 10 speed cassette choices, is the extra money worth it for Ultegra vs 105 or SRAM?

I was hoping I could swap the 12-23 cassette out for 12-25 or 12-27, but the deal was no substitutions. If I go for a different cassette any real need to keep a 12-23 around, knowing I will never be a racer?

All advice and input appreciated.

Mr. Beanz

How, why would you go with a 10 speed cassette if you have a 9 speed setup? You'd have to swap out the shifters too, very expensive.

w00die

I am already swapping the 9 speed set up to the Ultegra 10-speed including brifters. I found a couple of good deals.

Homeyba

Are you sure that isn't an 11-23? Regardless, it's going to be difficult for anyone here to tell you what gears you should use without knowing how strong of a rider you are, if you are a masher or spinner etc. That won't stop them though... There is a pretty big difference between the 23 and 27. There are a lot of rolling hills in your area but nothing really big. If you are strong enough you can get buy with the 23. If you like to spin you might like the 27. Of course the 25 is a compromise between the two. Do you prefer a tighter cassette? If so, are you willing to compromise a little to get that? Lots to think about...

w00die

Well I only recently switched over to a road bike and before that had less than 2000 miles on bikes as an adult, so I am still learning what I like. I can say though that I have knee and back issues so I am less likely to stand when climbing.

I guess my issue is that without having the ability to swap the 12-23 (dbl checked) for 12-25 or 12-27, then I am stuck either buying a different cassette outright or selling this one and using that to buy a different one. I guess I could go with the 12-23 and if I feel I need a 25 or 27 cog later I can buy it then. Or use this and buy a 12-27 for when I go ride in hillier areas.

I was basically wondering if in this area (having a triple crank) would I be able to get buy with the 12-23. Like you said though no-one can really answer that other than me. So I guess my question is irrelevant.



But I would like to know what the difference between using a Sram, 105 or Ultegra cassette is and if it is worth the price difference.

Thanks.

gearhead82

I live on the South side of Columbus (Groveport) and have found some decently steep but short hills in my area outside of the 270 loop. I've only lived in Ohio for a year so I'm not real familiar with your area. My C'Dale is a double so my lowest gear is a 39-26 and I've managed everything fine so far. I'm 6' and 240-ish and not an experienced rider. I'm young though, and in decent shape but I would think that since you have a triple you should be fine with the 12-23. You can always swap it out later if it doesn't work. Does your current 9-speed set up have a 23T cog? If so, then go for a ride and pretend that's your lowest gear and see how it feels.

dewaday

I'd look at it this way. Would running 27T cassette hurt your riding?
Are you going to leave the area to ride? If you head north towards the Wooster area you might like having a 27. Head SE and you'll definitely want it. If your staying in the central and SW part of the state you could probably get by with the 23. I'd rather have a gear and not need it, then need it and not have it.

LandKurt

Exactly. You should be able to test whether you'll miss your 28 cog by riding without your lowest gear for a while. Your second cog is probably a 24 which is pretty close to the 23 you're considering switching to. If you want to make sure you don't cheat then adjust your limit screw so your derailler won't go to the 28 cog.

Barrettscv 

With a triple you should be fine with the 12-23. You will just be using the smallest chainwheel more often.

Michael

w00die

Thank you sir, that is the best advice I have had yet. I can not believe I did not think of it. The cassette on there has 21, 24, 28 so if I stay on the 21 and 24 I can see where I'd be. If I am only slightly encumbered without using the 28 then I will either stay with the 12-23 or maybe go for the 12-25 as a happy compromise. I do think the triple makes it less likely that I will need the 12-27 than if I had a dbl.


dewaday:
That is also solid advice. Better to be prepared and not need it. If I can find a good price on a 12-27 I may run the 12-23 and keep the 12-27 for when I ride elsewhere.


***I would still like to hear opinions on the difference between a 105 vs Ultegra cassette.***

Thanks for the advice people.

Barrettscv 

If your going to get a new cassette, get a 12-27. The better range has no downside.

Michael

w00die

I just saw that when comparing the 12-25 to the 12-27, they are the same except for the two largest cogs, so I might as well run the 12-27.

Thanks. Off I go to shop.

Kneez

"The better range has no downside."

I am about to switch from a 9-speed 12-25 to a 9-speed 12-23 (on a triple) because I prefer to have more one-tooth jumps from cog to cog. Naturally, everyong is different, but for me , a wider range can translate into less choice. My current cog is 12-13-14-15-17-19-21-23-25. As it turns out, I often want that missing 16 and end up shifting back and forth between the 15 and 17, neither being quite right. I will gladly lose the 25 if I can get that 16. With a triple, as someone above mentioned, I don't really anticipate many problems climbing.

So, in conclusion, a greater range may be helpful for climbing but limiting in choice of gears. There are trade offs either way and you have to think about what your specific needs are.

terbennett

I met a rider (who was a bike mechanic) on my Critical Mass ride last week that is running a 12-23 on his 10 speed cassette that he made himself. I had never seen one before that, but those are probably the closest gears I've ever seen. Still if you are doing hills, I would recommend the 12-27. It won't leave you wanting for more gears if the hill really becomes challenging. 12-25s are what most bikes come with stock and it appeals to a wide range of people. Still, if you live in a hilly area, the 12-27 would be a better choice. Can you tell the difference? I'm not sure. My Velocitys have a 11-23 and the Neuvations have a 12-27. I notcie the difference but from a 25 to 27? I can't really tell you. Also, a 105 cassette will be just as good as an Ultegra or Dura Ace. The real difference in them is so minor that you can go with any of them and not be able to tell the difference- except in your wallet. My $.02.

txvintage

As terbennett said the differences between 105, Ultegra, and SRAM are mainly in weight, and we are talking grams. Go with the least expensive.

mtclifford

IMO if you are living in Ohio and don't plan on traveling to a place with big hills....why get a different cassette with a triple? Seems like you would be cheating the development of your cycling potential.

Barrettscv 

The 10 speed cassettes under discussion have been the 12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-23-25 or 12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-24-27. The only difference is the last two gears.

When compairing these two cassettes, "The better range has no downside."

Michael

txvintage

OP has back and knee issue. As someone who can relate I have a habit of making sure I have a bailout gear that I can (usually) spin home under the worst of conditions as much as for climbing.

mtclifford

Even with back and knee issues...I don't see where a triple and a 27 are going to be needed in a relatively flat area......seems like way overkill.....

MalcolmsFrejus

I live in Powell, I know the area and the steepest hills I've found are on the roads running East-West across 315 from Powell Rd/Polaris Parkway on North until you hit 23. Give Orange Rd (East of 315) a shot in the gear you're going to use. That's about the steepest grade I've found (someone will diagree) but it's really short - like 30 yards maybe. Also the longest "hill" I've found is going East or West from the below dam recreation area at Alum Creek Dam. It's not really long but long enough you should be able to figure out what will work.
Might as well go with the 27, you don't have to use it but it's nice to have.

Kneez

Hi Michael,

If, like me, one cares about jumps between gears, then the cassette with the bigger range has a downside in that one jumps by three teeth instead of two on the largest cogs. I am only suggesting that there are different ways to look at this depending upon what one's concerns are.

Barrettscv 

My recommendation is specific the first post and is not global.

I agree that tight spacing is a benefit, I also like having a 16t cog. With 10 speed cassettes, all the models starting with a 12 have a 16.

A 12-27 is better than a 12-25. You have a better spread of ratios for climbing and less cross-chaining above 15 mph on a 50, 52 or 53t chainwheel.

If you want tight spacing and easy ratios, the 14-25 is perfect . I wish Shimano made a 13-27 (13-14-15-16-17-18-19-21-24-27). Campy has the 12-27 in an 11 speed (12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-21-24-27)

Michael

w00die

Great replies folks.

Michael:

I like the idea of the 13-27, seems like it would be very useful. Thanks for mentioning the 14-25, its listed as junior or some such but I might just try it. I have a 12-27 Ultegra coming I got on sale for $65 and I also bought a 105 12-25 for $35, figure I will need a replacement sometime and this allows me the option to change out if need be. I am going to take the 12-23 to a local shop that has a bunch of Ultegra cassettes in stock and see if they will let me trade it for a different one (maybe that 14-25). I think I could run the 14-25 and the 12-27 without needing to change the chain length. But the 12-23 and 12-27 I think would cause issues with chain length, I could be wrong though.

One of the reasons I decided to upgrade to the 10-speed was to get tighter gears overall so I had less "dead" spots where I needed a 16 or 18 and didn't have it.

Thank you all for your insight and wisdom. I have been paying more attention to my gearing while riding and I am starting to get a better picture of what i do and don't need.

Hope everyone has a great day and happy riding.