And I think we all determined that someone installed your pedals incorrectly. There is nothing wrong with that crankset and nothing wrong with your bike. You have basically a brand new entry level bike. There is no reason to upgrade it. You just need a different cassette to make climbing easier. Get 11-32 and you will have no problem with any hills

Shimano HG50 8 Speed Cassette > Components > Drivetrain > Cassettes | Jenson USA


If you are going to spend $600+ upgrading that bike you might as well sell and buy something new or slightly used with 105 group

For $1000 you can buy the same bike new with 105 and disc brakes

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...400309__400309

Those are both personal preference things, there is no right or wrong. If you find yourself frequently riding at 25+ mph and running out of gears during 40+ mph downhill bunch sprints, then going for a 52/36 or even 53/39 might make sense. If, on the other hand, you find yourself wishing you had one or two more lower gears to get you up hills at a comfortable cadence then stick with a 50/34 and get a wider ratio cassette. If your current gear ratio works for you then stick to it.

As for the crank length, that is more of a fit issue. If you are particularly tall, then going for longer cranks might be helpful. If you are more on the short side and your knees sometimes hit your chest when riding fully tucked, then going for 165mm cranks might help. If you are not having any fit issues then stick with what you have.

I like your idea rms13. I will be getting the crankset for sure because i need it and i will get that 8 speed 11/32 cassette. Thank you

I'll be going with a 52/36, 11/32.

11/32 because the only other option for the 8 speed that rms13 showed me was 12/25 and I already have that on my bike. Plus its only $15. And I currently have a 170mm and it fits just fine so i'll stick with that. Thanks

Well forum you have helped me a ton. I will save my money and not buy the groupset. I have decided to get the 52/36 crankset (i do mostly flats, sometimes hills, There aren't many around here) because the one I have is broken and an 8 speed 11/32 cassette which is only $15.99. And as for wheels I'll just save my money to buy a nice bike in about a year or 2. This is for another post but i personally like the Giant Propel Advanced 0.

That is a good plan. :thumb:

Good choice. I've decided on about that same setup on my 8sp group. Don't forget you'll probably need a long cage derailleur with that 11/32.

And I've been mocked for suggesting this before, but if you have a grand burning a hole in your pocket, get Normatecs and use them to actually be able to ride more, and harder. You'll get faster that way. It'll make much more of a difference than a few more gears.

Do note that "and ride more, and harder" is a necessary component, though.

Even though it's an 8 speed as well?

I went from Sora to 105 (5800: 50/34, 12-25) via eBay. I pieced together a complete groupset made up of take-offs and new parts. A week's worth of effort made it cost about $350...then a few days later I saw a complete set in-a-box for $400. I don't regret doing it the way that I did but if I could do it over again, I'd get the box set. The real kick in the nuts was the cost of the tools...those Park tools arent' cheap--even on eBay (only bought new tools). I bought some Mavic Open Elite wheels from eBay to complete the conversion. Damn project cost me $600 but it was a fun and I'll be keeping my Allez Sport until I die now.

Yes. The cage of the derailleur is based on the largest ring of the cassette. Most of the time if you go over 28 you need the long cage. They're not expensive for 8 speed groups.

Shimano Deore M591 SGS Rear Derailleur

52/36? Really? No offense, but I don't see how that makes any sense unless you are really strong. 50/34 is plenty big, in fact too big for most.

It really doesn't make sense if you currently have 50/34 and can't get up a hill with that. But 36/32 combo is about the same as 34/32 so it doesn't matter much. But I will guarantee OP can't spin the cranks on flat surface in 50/11 gear so really no need to have that 52. Which is true for most of us that aren't racing. I never need 50/11 unless I'm spinning out on a steep descent

I checked my bike and it has a long cage.

52/36 is sometimes a better match for the 12-25 cassette, which is the only tight cassette at the 105 level. But if you need low gears, I'd rather just go with a compact.

I can but not that fast. I averaged 8-9 MPH on a 5% incline. Hill was only about 4 - 5 miles

Ribble has the 4700 10 speed group for $285 with free shipping right now. The 10 speed will fit your wheels, back exiting cables will give you a cleaner look and they have several gear ratio options in stock.

The price difference is so small between 5800 and 4700, I would run 5800 as 11 minus 1 speed just to leave the possibility of a wheel upgrade later.

There's a Seller on eBay who is advertising New OE Cannondale marked/stamped 8-speed 12-32 cassettes (made by Sunlite) for $7.99, including the shipping.


I just bought one for a friend. The cassette is punched out to save weight (much lighter than most Shimano 8-speed cassettes) and finished in silver matte (not shiny chrome).

You probably need a longer chain, to go with the bigger cassette.

Why not get a compact crankset with 34t small ring ??