cassette advice please

notaclue74

Hello,

I've been searching around for a few weeks now and settled on the giant defy 2 for my 24 mile round commute when my cycle to work scheme opens next week. As the commute is hilly, a friend has suggested changing the rear casette from the 12-25 standard to a 12-28.

I'm averagely fit, but not bike fit - I run and swim regularly. What are the pros and cons and is it quite straight forward to do (have done)?

Im Bald Ok

If you havn't tried riding your commute yet i would give it a go with your current cassette first. You might find that you don't need the extra range of gearing.

If you do want to change it's quite straight forward. Just make sure your rear mech can take the larger tooth cogs.

notaclue74

I haven't tried ti yet, but I have a hill between me and work that climbs around 250 metres - even if I go the longer way round, it's a pretty daunting hill. My logic, which may be wrong, is that if I change it before I use the standard casette - the bike shop may do me a deal on the new one. Are there any advantages to keeping the 12-25 over the 12-28? From what i can work out my route into work is uphill in both directions

autobahn

Its likely that your chainset is a compact set for the Giant Defy. That combined with fact that you are reasonably fit means you should be ok and there is no need to change the cassette.
I started cycling 18 mnths ago and had no fitness on a Giant Defy with a 12-25 cassette and compact chainset. I found I could cope with the majority of hills.
If it doesn't suit it will be quite straightforward to get a new cassette put on, and not a big hassle. Unless it's the hill from hell I'd stick with the current set up that comes with the bike.

tri-sexual

i'll personally stick with the 12-25 with a compact chainset
it will be suitable for most rides if you are reasonably fit
a 12-28 may sound tempting for its wide gear range but it will reduce your choice of actual useful gears and wide ranging gears often feel very "gappy" where there is a big difference between one gear and the next.

maddog 2

if we're talking Shimano 10spd then

12-25 is 12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-23-25
12-27 is 12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-24-27
11-28 is 11-12-13-14-15-17-19-21-24-28

so 11-28 goes higher (11t), doesn't have a 16t and has lower top two sprockets (24 and 28 ). I think SRAM 11-28 is slightly different though.

Personally, I think 12-27 and 11-28 are a good idea. You lose very little in the middle of the cassette and you have a bailout gear for really steep stuff. 11-32 cassettes are gappy but I've never felt 11-28 was personally.

notaclue74

Unless it's the hill from hell I'd stick with the current set up that comes with the bike.

This is the worst hill on my route, but the whole thing is pretty bumpy:

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/5173980#climbs

I'm test riding it in the mendips, so I'll have a crack with the 12-25 and see how I get on. I'm just trying to avoid being seen pushing a 700 quid bike up a hill!

thanks for your advice...

nicktheluddite

I climb Dundry with 11-23 and 52/39 on the front (ie non-compact) but that's what the bike came with and I didn't know any better at the time. I've also ridden up some brutal Mendip climbs on it - it is hard work but doable. Vanity and stupidity now makes me keep that cassette and chainset. Changing cassette is easier/cheaper than changing chainset.

Don't forget no-one has a monopoly on being right and gearing is a very personal choice.

kingrollo

Swap the cassette - it want cost you much

2alexcoo

Maybe try the climb from Winford up to Dundry rather than Limeburn hill? It's a bit further but a lot easier!

notaclue74

excellent advice from the local lads. Have you seen the potholes on the Winford road though!? North face of the Eiger one way, surface of the moon the other....

chrisw12

nicktheluddite wrote:

I climb Dundry with 11-23 and 52/39 on the front (ie non-compact) but that's what the bike came with and I didn't know any better at the time. I've also ridden up some brutal Mendip climbs on it - it is hard work but doable. Vanity and stupidity now makes me keep that cassette and chainset. Changing cassette is easier/cheaper than changing chainset.

Don't forget no-one has a monopoly on being right and gearing is a very personal choice.

There's a few good points here, back in the day before forums and books if you rode on your own without guidance, you just road whatever was on the bike and as you said, you knew no better.

Also, you're right, gearing is a very personal choice. I like the 28 not particularly cause of the gear size but because I have a phobia about ridding at the ends of the block (especialy the end that goes onto your spokes :twisted: ) With a 28 on there, the 25 becomes very 'useful' and allows me to not have to change onto the small ring too often (I also have a phobia about front shifting :roll:) The 28 is there then for those Sunday hangover rides.

notaclue74

test rode the defy 2 this morning, and love it. I'm going to stick with the 12-25 for the forseable - it was great on the hills. Thanks for all your input...