What ratio do you run

drummer
drummer Posts: 246
edited March 2011 in Training, fitness and health
Fella's,
I'm a 'fitness only' type rider who also enjoys a bit of competition with my pals.

On my winter bike I run a with 11-25.

My best bike has 11-23.

Both bikes are compact and I can tackle most climbs in the 50x25.

Should I swap cassettes and go 25 on my best bike or build strength with the 23?

I run record and a new cassette is about 250 so I need to be sure it will make a difference to my riding.

Thoughts please?
chris

Comments

  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    Simple really. Do you struggle at times or are you OK on the 23. Only you can say. If you do then get a bigger cassette. If you don't then enjoy the closer ratios that the 11/23 gives you.
    No need to go with record. Any of the lesser ones will still fit.
    My Fleet.
  • chrishd883
    chrishd883 Posts: 159
    I wouldn't run an 11-23 cassette - but that's me and takes into account my fitness & strength and the terrain & length of my rides.

    You say that you can " tackle most climbs in the 50x25."
    Well that's the equivalent of a 54" gear

    Your summer bike had a lowest gear of 34x23 = 40"
    So why change the cassette on your summer bike?
    If you can't manage a hill on the 50x23 - change to the 34 cog on the front

    34x17 is a 54" gear and thus the equal of your 50x23 combo.

    When you find it too hard or can't manage on the 34x23, then it's time to buy another cassette!
  • emx
    emx Posts: 164
    drummer wrote:
    so I need to be sure it will make a difference to my riding.

    it won't - and 50/25 is too much crossover anyway....be kinder to your transmission and find the equivalent gear on the 34...
  • stevewj
    stevewj Posts: 227
    Go with 39x17 for four weeks, then 39x16 for four weeks then 42 x16 and so on until you find a gear that suits you. Single free saves any worry about blocks etc and turns riding into training.
  • jibberjim
    jibberjim Posts: 2,810
    Record won't make a difference to your riding. So why not just buy a cheaper cassette and see?
    Jibbering Sports Stuff: http://jibbering.com/sports/
  • thiscocks
    thiscocks Posts: 549
    12-21
  • cat whore
    cat whore Posts: 13
    you might want to bear in mind that a bigger sprocket on the back will be easier on your knees - if they're not troubling you now they eventually will if you're constantly grinding big gears on climbs - said the broken old man :wink:
  • cat whore
    cat whore Posts: 13
    you might want to bear in mind that a bigger sprocket on the back will be easier on your knees - if they're not troubling you now they eventually will if you're constantly grinding big gears on climbs - said the broken old man :wink:
  • cat whore
    cat whore Posts: 13
    you might want to bear in mind that a bigger sprocket on the back will be easier on your knees - if they're not troubling you now they eventually will if you're constantly grinding big gears on climbs - said the broken old man :wink:
  • cat whore
    cat whore Posts: 13
    wtf?? sorry about that
  • Slack
    Slack Posts: 326
    Depends how hilly it is in your region, combined with the efficiency of your body. Only you can answer the question! I live next to Dartmoor, and my smallest gear is a 39x27 which gets me up 25% inclines, all be it with a reduced cadence.
    Plymouthsteve for councillor!!
  • freehub
    freehub Posts: 4,257
    39/25
  • Garz
    Garz Posts: 1,155
    34/27 best
    34/23 old

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