changing my rear cassette, worth it?

Va Va Boom

I have a moda stretto with SRAM force compact gearing.

It has an 11-25 on the rear. Im finding this hard on hills which on my winter bike werent that bad.

Im thinking of changing it to an 11-28. My LBS said they will change it for £50.

IS it worth it? Will i notice a difference?

Thanks.

sungod

you'll notice a difference, at the same cadence the 28 will be about 12% easier vs. the 25, so it''ll help you keep cadence up rather than slow hard grinding

having said that, if you spend a few months doing hill repeats a couple of times a week you could save the 50 quid and end up stronger/fitter, been through that myself, really is a case of no pain no gain :-)

Pep

Yes, you will notice the difference.

change it yourself, save a few quid on labour and have fun doing it. Needs some tools but it's very easy.

springtide9

Yep, very easy to change.... you just need something like (if it's SRAM or Shimano)

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... t_1238.htm

Takes about 5mins once the wheel is off the bike. Basically the whip stops the cassette from moving, the the 'HG tool' allows you to remove the locking ring. The cassette will only drop on one way due to the groves..

Useful to swap yourself as you might decide to go back to the other cassette later.

Pokerface

I'm assuming the £50 cost is to change it INCLUDING a new cassette?

Va Va Boom

Thanks for the replies.

No, it's £46 for the part & £5 labour.

( he must be giving me a quid discount because £50 would do!)

My LBS is Slane Cycles in Belfast who deal with high end race bike builds so I'm trusting they will do a good job!

Pokerface

To be fair, Slane is ACE. And for £50 I assume you're getting a Force Cassette? PG1070


It's a good deal - take it. If your old cassette isn't too worn, you can resell it to recoup some of the cost. Just give it a good scrub up.

Garz

Or put that cassette on a cheap wheel and use it as the winter turbo training so your good wheel doesn't get as worn.

night_porter

At £50 fitted it will probably be a PG1050 but that is still a good price. Unless you already have a cassette removal too and chainwhip you cannot really do it cheaper yourself.

Especially as they might need to put some extra links into the chain too.

You will definately notice the difference on the hills.

Bar Shaker

I paid £46 for my 1070.

£5 to fit is great deal as you may need a tweak to index the derailleur too.

And yes, I would change to a 28 if your local hills need it. Don't damage your knees for the sake of £50.

markos1963

Bar Shaker wrote:

I paid £46 for my 1070.

£5 to fit is great deal as you may need a tweak to index the derailleur too.

And yes, I would change to a 28 if your local hills need it. Don't damage your knees for the sake of £50.

Why do people always say this re. knees? If your bike fits you properly and you have no underlying injuries you won't damage your knees by using high gears. You might tire more quickly and feel some muscle soreness but you won't damage anything.

By all means get a bigger range cassette but it will only help you to go slowly up hills. As others have said train a bit harder for hills and you won't need the cassette anyway.

alfablue

markos1963 wrote:

You might tire more quickly and feel some muscle soreness but you won't damage anything.

achilles tendonitis can be a consequence of too much climbing in too big a gear (particularly as you get older ).

rake

alfablue wrote:

markos1963 wrote:

You might tire more quickly and feel some muscle soreness but you won't damage anything.

achilles tendonitis can be a consequence of too much climbing in too big a gear (particularly as you get older ).

who says so, or just quoting what youve had?

alfablue

rake wrote:

alfablue wrote:

markos1963 wrote:

You might tire more quickly and feel some muscle soreness but you won't damage anything.

achilles tendonitis can be a consequence of too much climbing in too big a gear (particularly as you get older ).

who says so, or just quoting what youve had?

Many sources say so, including my sports physio and an orthopaedic surgeon (yes I have had it which is why I have found out about it), I can't actually be bothered to find the web links for you, too tired to be bothered quibbling with you, as you most certainly our very own expert on this forum, just ignore my contribution and move along.

For everyone else, as you approach your mid thirties, be aware you become more prone to such injuries and it might make sense to realise that your muscles may well be stronger than the tendons that attach to them.

Lillywhite

rake wrote:

For everyone else, as you approach your mid thirties, be aware you become more prone to such injuries and it might make sense to realise that your muscles may well be stronger than the tendons that attach to them.

Well I'm approaching my mid sixities and climb hills on the big ring, 90% of the time, using a compact 50/34 chain set with an 11 speed 12-25 cassette on the rear and have no problems that you mention.

For what it's worth to the OP I would stick with the cassette that you have and get yourself fitter.

John.T

Well I'm approaching my mid sixities and climb hills on the big ring, 90% of the time

Hills? Are there any down there? I find I do need my 38/27 at times up here but I am older than you.

alfablue

Lillywhite wrote:

rake wrote:

For everyone else, as you approach your mid thirties, be aware you become more prone to such injuries and it might make sense to realise that your muscles may well be stronger than the tendons that attach to them.

Well I'm approaching my mid sixities and climb hills on the big ring, 90% of the time, using a compact 50/34 chain set with an 11 speed 12-25 cassette on the rear and have no problems that you mention.

Ah! Proof then

My grandma is 110 and smokes 30 a day

Lillywhite

John.T wrote:

Hills? Are there any down there

Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Rutland have what can be described as a rolling terrain and are not as flat as some Northerners think.

John.T

Lillywhite wrote:

John.T wrote:

Hills? Are there any down there

Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Rutland have what can be described as a rolling terrain and are not as flat as some Northerners think.

Ah, but we dont call them hills until well into double figures. Some of the b*ggers get up to 30%+. They are a grovel even with 34/27. I have been known to walk. :oops:

Dmak

If you're not fussed about being a weak cyclist then go for it. Otherwise, man up. :P

John.T

Don't you just love the macho tone that creeps in now and again.
Some folks just want to enjoy riding their bikes rather than suffering. :roll:

rolf_f

John.T wrote:

Don't you just love the macho tone that creeps in now and again.
Some folks just want to enjoy riding their bikes rather than suffering. :roll:

No, I think if they can get up Greenhow Hill in their big rings (compact or not) then they are entitled to talk the talk - of course, they need to prove it

Dmak

Nice hill! 2.5 miles of fun. 6.7% average gradient.

John.T

Dmak wrote:

Nice hill! 2.5 miles of fun. 6.7% average gradient.

Yes. It is the steps at 16% that hurt. Park Rash with pitches at 25% is somewhat harder but several in the North York Moors top 30%.

rake

alfablue wrote:

rake wrote:

alfablue wrote:

markos1963 wrote:

You might tire more quickly and feel some muscle soreness but you won't damage anything.

achilles tendonitis can be a consequence of too much climbing in too big a gear (particularly as you get older ).

who says so, or just quoting what youve had?

For everyone else, as you approach your mid thirties, be aware you become more prone to such injuries and it might make sense to realise that your muscles may well be stronger than the tendons that attach to them.

im surprised you post so frequently, youll be getting repetative strain injury, better get a light action keyboard.

Dmak

John.T wrote:

Dmak wrote:

Nice hill! 2.5 miles of fun. 6.7% average gradient.

Yes. It is the steps at 16% that hurt. Park Rash with pitches at 25% is somewhat harder but several in the North York Moors top 30%.

My playground isn't quite so severe. The peaks around here are around 200m, there is some pretty steep stuff but not that steep and not for so long. I can't find anything around here that'll stop me, which is actually a bit annoying. I'm tempted to throw the bike in the car and drive to something a bit more challenging, like this.

alfablue

rake wrote:

im surprised you post so frequently, youll be getting repetative strain injury, better get a light action keyboard.

Wow, stunning wit! (or something similar, anyway).