Smaller Chain set ot bigger cassette??

chirpy200903
chirpy200903 Posts: 7
edited June 2009 in Road beginners
Hi all

This is my first post.

I got a good deal on a Boardman PRo road though my cycle to work scheme as I fancied a change from MBK.

I am struggling a bit around my locale do to hill etc and the gearing of the Pro road (53/39)

I was wondering what you folks thought about sizing down the crank set or upsizing the 9 speed rear cassette?

Any advice would be appreciated

Ps. The bike itslef is amazing, if a tad firm.

Cheers

Si.

Comments

  • richa
    richa Posts: 1,632
    Si,
    What cassette do you currently have?
    How much are you struggling? A bit or a lot?
    Rich
  • Wappygixer
    Wappygixer Posts: 1,396
    It would be much cheaper to change the cassette than the crankset.
    As above says it depends how much your struggling as to which your best changing.
  • chirpy200903
    chirpy200903 Posts: 7
    Hi guys

    thanks for the replys.

    I can move put it that way but its putting me off going further afield.

    Ive got the stock cassette on which is the Shimano Dura-Ace CS-7800, 12-23T so its on the small side.

    I suppose its because im used to switching down to such an easy to ride gear on the MTB.

    Ive seen a shimano xtm770 11-34t on on wiggle for £57, do you recon this would help me out without spending £180-£200 on a decentish front set up?

    cheers
  • fast as fupp
    fast as fupp Posts: 2,277
    no coz youll need a long cage rear mech with a dinner plate cassette like that- also you ont be able to keep a steady cadence coz the ratios will be too far apart

    a 12-27 should suffice
    'dont forget lads, one evertonian is worth twenty kopites'
  • chirpy200903
    chirpy200903 Posts: 7
    Thanks again, i think that one i mentioned is an mountain bike cassette primarily. Thanks for the comment, im still learning.

    Si.
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    You would need an MTB rear mech for anything larger than a 27 (you may just get away with a 28 ).
    You have really got 3 options.
    1/ 12/27 cassette.
    2/ Compact chainset.
    3/ Both.
    OR 4/ Train harder.
    4 is cheapest and will get the best results in the long run. I would go for 1 and 4.
    My Fleet.
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    7800 is 10speed, so you want a 10speed cassette - the majority of MTB cassettes will be 9-speed or below.
    I like bikes...

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  • chirpy200903
    chirpy200903 Posts: 7
    Thanks John for the bluntness of no. 4 and redddragon for pointing out i cant count, worryining as I work at a stockbroker.

    Ant comments on the following - Shimano Ultegra 6600 10 Speed Cassette, 12-27.Gets some good reviews.
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    I have found Ultegra cassettes to be very hard wearing. I have one with about 8000 miles on it and it is still good. Summer use only. 105 are cheaper but as yet I can not comment on longevity. My current one is fairly new.
    My Fleet.
  • rjh299
    rjh299 Posts: 721
    Sorry to hijack but... my brother's having same problem. He's got a 53/39 with 25 on the back. He struggles a bit on some hills which are everywhere down here. I suggested a 27 on the back or changing his chainrings on the front to compact (just chainrings not entire crankset, is this possible, sure it must be but thought i'd check).

    OP, Ultegra's good cassette got good few thousand miles on mine, not a single problem.
  • rjh299
    rjh299 Posts: 721
    Just looked two threads up and there's a sticky on this very subject. Question answered. Thanks reddraggon

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