Help needed for climbing set up
#1
Nerdy Fred
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Lexington, Ky
Posts: 63
Bikes: 2008 Trek Madone 5.2, Gary Fisher Monona
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Help needed for climbing set up
Greetings all. I'm a newb cyclist, and I've reached the point after a couple months that I'm going to try and tackle some very painful climbs in a couple weeks. Its a group ride, and being a newb I'm curious should I get a 12-27 cassette over the one I'm currently using 12-25 ? Would this make a big difference?
#2
Carpe Diem
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MABRA
Posts: 13,149
Bikes: 2007 CAAD9; 2014 CAADX; PedalForce CG1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The additional 2 teeth will make a difference.
What chainrings are you running up front?
What chainrings are you running up front?
__________________
"When you are chewing the bars at the business end of a 90 mile road race you really dont care what gear you have hanging from your bike so long as it works."
ΛΧΑ ΔΞ179 - 15% off your first Hammer Nutrition order!
"When you are chewing the bars at the business end of a 90 mile road race you really dont care what gear you have hanging from your bike so long as it works."
ΛΧΑ ΔΞ179 - 15% off your first Hammer Nutrition order!
#3
.....
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Long Island
Posts: 4,816
Bikes: 2006 Cannondale CAAD8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
if you have a regular double and a short cage rear der. try to get a 38 front chainring and a 12-27 cassette. After that you may need a med/long cage rear der.
#6
Nerdy Fred
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Lexington, Ky
Posts: 63
Bikes: 2008 Trek Madone 5.2, Gary Fisher Monona
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Do they make an Ultegra sl 52/38 ?
Also thanks for all the advice
Also thanks for all the advice
#7
CPM M4
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: The West Side (Of Rochester, NY).
Posts: 4,930
Bikes: Light.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Chainrings, sir.
__________________
Ten tenths.
Ten tenths.
#8
Carpe Diem
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MABRA
Posts: 13,149
Bikes: 2007 CAAD9; 2014 CAADX; PedalForce CG1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You can buy any standard 130mm BCD (Bolt Circle Diameter) chainrings for your Ultegra SL crankset.
__________________
"When you are chewing the bars at the business end of a 90 mile road race you really dont care what gear you have hanging from your bike so long as it works."
ΛΧΑ ΔΞ179 - 15% off your first Hammer Nutrition order!
"When you are chewing the bars at the business end of a 90 mile road race you really dont care what gear you have hanging from your bike so long as it works."
ΛΧΑ ΔΞ179 - 15% off your first Hammer Nutrition order!
#10
Carpe Diem
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MABRA
Posts: 13,149
Bikes: 2007 CAAD9; 2014 CAADX; PedalForce CG1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
FSA chainrings are good. I prefer the Super Road chainrings but they don't make a 38t in 130mm BCD
Salsa makes good chainrings, too.

__________________
"When you are chewing the bars at the business end of a 90 mile road race you really dont care what gear you have hanging from your bike so long as it works."
ΛΧΑ ΔΞ179 - 15% off your first Hammer Nutrition order!
"When you are chewing the bars at the business end of a 90 mile road race you really dont care what gear you have hanging from your bike so long as it works."
ΛΧΑ ΔΞ179 - 15% off your first Hammer Nutrition order!
#11
Nerdy Fred
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Lexington, Ky
Posts: 63
Bikes: 2008 Trek Madone 5.2, Gary Fisher Monona
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hmmm now I have a lot to think about.
One last question on this topic. How hard would it be to switch my standard double to a compact double ?
One last question on this topic. How hard would it be to switch my standard double to a compact double ?
#12
CPM M4
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: The West Side (Of Rochester, NY).
Posts: 4,930
Bikes: Light.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: So Cal
Posts: 2,678
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I was running a 53/39 & 12-23 combo which is fine for flat and rollers but I started doing climbs and needed a little more gear so I went to a 12-27 I did consider a 12-25 but figured if the situation came up that I needed the gears I would have it, the difference in the 12-25 and 12-27 was only on the low end (larger) of the gears ratio the range I use on flats and rollers was the same so I went to the larger gears, I just don't use them on flat and roller rides in the end I have the same ratios I use with the extra gears for those climbs which suites me fine for now as I get stronger I will most likely go back to my old gearing or go to a 12-25 just incase but for now I need the 27 sometimes.
__________________
It may not be fancy but it gets me were I need to go.
https://www.jtgraphics.net/cyclist_bicycles.htm
It may not be fancy but it gets me were I need to go.
https://www.jtgraphics.net/cyclist_bicycles.htm
#14
Nerdy Fred
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Lexington, Ky
Posts: 63
Bikes: 2008 Trek Madone 5.2, Gary Fisher Monona
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I was running a 53/39 & 12-23 combo which is fine for flat and rollers but I started doing climbs and needed a little more gear so I went to a 12-27 I did consider a 12-25 but figured if the situation came up that I needed the gears I would have it, the difference in the 12-25 and 12-27 was only on the low end (larger) of the gears ratio the range I use on flats and rollers was the same so I went to the larger gears, I just don't use them on flat and roller rides in the end I have the same ratios I use with the extra gears for those climbs which suites me fine for now as I get stronger I will most likely go back to my old gearing or go to a 12-25 just incase but for now I need the 27 sometimes.
#16
.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Rocket City, No'ala
Posts: 12,737
Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 5.2, 1985 Pinarello Trevisio, 1990 Gardin Shred, 2006 Bianchi San Jose
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 51 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
sheldonbrown.com/gears is a calculator you'll find very interesting.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: So Cal
Posts: 2,678
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well it did enough for me so in my case yes, if you end up needing more you may then need to go the the chain rings for more help. 1 tooth up front is like 2-3 in the rear can't remember exactly in the back, motorcycle racing days been awhile.
Edit: I checked my records and 1 tooth change up front is equlivent to 3 in the rear just for the record.
Edit: I checked my records and 1 tooth change up front is equlivent to 3 in the rear just for the record.
__________________
It may not be fancy but it gets me were I need to go.
https://www.jtgraphics.net/cyclist_bicycles.htm
It may not be fancy but it gets me were I need to go.
https://www.jtgraphics.net/cyclist_bicycles.htm
Last edited by JTGraphics; 09-30-08 at 12:37 PM.