Recommended rear cassette ratios?

daniel_b

Chaps,

mine any my gf's two roadbikes have the following gear ratios:

Trek 1000 Double (16 gears):
52/38 & 12/26

Felt F70 Double (18 gears):
53/42 & 12/24

We both struggle a little bit up some of the steeper hills near where we live, but not to the point of not being able to get up them, but I find i have to force my way up the hill, spinning is often not an option.

Part of me thinks this is good, as we both have to work harder, and part of me thinks perhaps on a longer ride when we are more tired, a lower gear would make sense.

Both bikes are virtually new, in terms of use, so I am a little reluctant to start changing the cranks and front cogs.

I have seen an Ultegra rear 9spd cassette in a few places for £25 ish, that has the option of a 12-27 spread, would this make a noticeable difference do you think?
The groupset on the Felt is 105, will this work together ok?

What about for the Trek, I think it is Sora/Tiagra groupset, is there a rear cassette that would make a difference, I imagine it would have to be a 28 to make any real difference.

EDIT: I've just noticed cassettes such as Shimano XT - 11-32 or 34 even, is there a good reason not to fit one of these, are the gaps deemed to be too big for road use?

Thanks in advance

Dan

maddog 2

compact chainset?

34/50
34/48
36/50
or whatever

swapping to a 12-27 will help, but a compact will give you much more flexibility. You can still 'force' your way up the hills if you want, but you'll also have a spinning gear if you need/prefer it.

Do a search on the forum, there's plenty of info. ps I run 34/48 and a 12-25 as I ride hilly routes and use a high cadence.