specialized road bike, What chain and cassette???

c4rpy
c4rpy Posts: 3
edited July 2010 in Road beginners
I have just bought a specialized allez 16 road bike. The chain and cassette have seen better days, ive been looking around at new ones and the more i look the more confused i am getting.

Where i live is totally flat, so basically need a set up for speed and distance. The cassette i have is a 8 speed, can and do i need a 9 speed?? What teeth will be best and any recommended makes?

Thanks in advance

Comments

  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    changing to 9sp would also involve additional expense of replacing shifters and derailleurs. 8sp 12-25 on th rear should be fine for general use...
  • Cleat Eastwood
    Cleat Eastwood Posts: 7,508
    The reasons for going from 8 to 9 are basically around the range of gears open to you. The jumps in 8 speed can be a bit harsh but for flat lands its more than ok.

    a few options for you. The if you want to keep it 8 speed then you can get a new HG50 cassette and chain.

    If you want to go 9 speed your biggest expense will be the change of shifters, chain and cassette.

    The spesh allez you have came with Sora 8 speed shiters. SHimano now have 9 speed shifters.

    The nine speed chain is narrower than the 8 speed on and the 9 cassette is narrower, so you'll need to buy both.

    When I changed mine from 8 to 9 speed I also changed the front and rear mechs just for consistancy though this isnt necessary.

    If you like the look of shifters with the gear change paddle on the brake lever then your next port of call is Tiagra, the next highest groupset.



    shimano_tiagra_4501_sti.jpg

    To go up a whole groupset, that is to go from Sora to Tiagra can be costly, and with the new sora 9 speed that might be the best option till you get used to the bike.....and then in 6 months you'll want to sell it and go carbon....and then you're hooked.
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  • night_porter
    night_porter Posts: 888
    Given that you are confused by the options available I am guessing you are not an experienced bike 'fettler' therefore I would suggest you just take your bike to a lbs and get straight replacements for the existing cassette and chain.

    You are able to buy these online and if you want to know which ones to choose then look for 2200/2300/Sora 8 speed cassettes do not buy anything that has greater than 27 as the largest sprocket as you may need to change your derailleur. Any Shimano compatable 8 speed chain will work okay.

    The easiest replacement would be the same as you have so just count the teeth on the largest and the smallest sprocket and that will tell you what size cassette you need.

    Remember buying from the web means you will also need to buy the tools to remove the cassette and chain whereas getting bike shop to replace them these tools will not be needed.

    For info the tools required are: chain tool, Shimano cassette removal tool, chain whip plus if you have one already a spanner to fit the cassette removal tool (I use a very large adjustable spanner).

    Upgrading to 9 speed will involve new shifters complete with cables (as suggested by other posters) also completely setting up the rear derailleur but no special tools are required just knowledge (plenty of U-Tube videos to help).

    If you are happy to make the changes and you already have the tools then I have misunderstood your request.
  • ex-pat scot
    ex-pat scot Posts: 939
    If you live somewhere flat then go for a basic 12-23 8 speed cassette.
    No real point in going to 9 speed
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  • c4rpy
    c4rpy Posts: 3
    Thank you all for your help, i think ill stick with the 8 speed for now then but those new shifters look great. I'll get used to riding before i make a complete change. I am a beginner really. But hoping to really get into it!!!!

    The teeth on the bike now are a 13-26. Is there and would i notice.... (being a beginner) any differance with a 12-23 or anything similar?
  • PeterBL
    PeterBL Posts: 209
    What chainrings do you have in the front? I would consider a 13-23 for the flats. The step from 17t to 15t is a bit to big in my opinion.

    If you exchange the 13-26 with af 12-23, you basically give away your lowest gear and get a new higher gear, whereas with the 13-23 you loose your lowest gear, but fill out the biggest gap in your cassette. Your top gear would remain the same.
  • night_porter
    night_porter Posts: 888
    Some great advice but sometimes we forget that not everyone understands what we mean.

    So for the benefit of any beginners the higher the number of teeth on the cassette equals easier to pedal and this means you will be going slower for the same amount of pedal revs per minute.

    The lower number of teeth on the cassette equals harder to pedal but of course you will be going faster for the same amount of pedal revs per minute.

    Therefore if you live in an area with fewer hills you can use the speedier (12-23) option.

    Just ask yourself if you currently use the easiest gear you have available now, if not then it would be safe to say go for the smaller toothed cassetes. If you do use it then stick with what you have already got.
  • Weejie54
    Weejie54 Posts: 750
    Just ask yourself if you currently use the easiest gear you have available now, if not then it would be safe to say go for the smaller toothed cassetes. If you do use them then stick with what you have already got.
    Sound advice, but also bear in mind that the more you cycle the longer distances you are likely to cover and you may find yourself ending up in the hills!
    If your cassette is that badly worn, it would be best to replace it but if you can live with it for a while longer, it would help you decide what to go for when replacing. You may find, for example, that there is a jump in the gearing that you would like to fill in. Not easy to convey in words, but the more you ride the clearer it will be.
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    I would not go to 9sp at all. If you feel the need to change then go straight to 10sp. It saves the cost of doing 2 changes.
  • Dazza993
    Dazza993 Posts: 99
    I'd stick with 8 speed for the time being - replacing the existing cassette & chain will be the most cost efficient method. If you're new to road riding, you may well find youself getting hooked and wanting a whole new bike.

    I've currently got an Allez triple with a 12-25 cassette and I live in quite a hilly area, but the 25t spocket combined with the 30t chainring makes it usable.

    I came very close buying a 10-speed setup for my Allez, but glad I didn't as I've just committed to a whole new bike which is 10-speed.
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