Opportunity to have a diferent cassette

navrig

I've been given a pair on Bontrager Race Lites - just the basic wheel, no cassetee, tubes or tyres.

The previous owner mainly rides Compag stuff but he is pretty sure these are Shimano fit wheels. Before I start spending money (again) how do I tell what model of wheels I have and if they will be Shimano compatible.

I currently run with a compact on the front and a 12-25 casstte. Sometimes I find the bike a bit short of high gearing - particularly on the flat (with a tail wond) and downhill).

Should I put a higher gear cassette on the race wheels and give myself a choice of wheels according to route or should I the same cassette and keep the other rear for use on the turbo?

Any thoughts?

sungod

if your cadence was 91, then with a 12 sprocket on a compact you'd be doing 30mph

unless you are consistently doing this, it might be better to practice higher cadence rather than run an 11-xx

downhill, yes, an 11 would give you more scope, but unless you are racing downhill there's not really much to be gained, and you'll end up with a wider gap further up the cassette

springtide9

sungod wrote:

unless you are consistently doing this, it might be better to practice higher cadence rather than run an 11-xx

downhill, yes, an 11 would give you more scope, but unless you are racing downhill there's not really much to be gained, and you'll end up with a wider gap further up the cassette

+1

The problem with 11-25+ cassettes is that you loose one of the mid range ratios.. which is where you spend 80% of your riding. It's all a compromise unless you run a triple, but I personally think keeping the middle ratios is better than gaining an 11.
I own an 11-26 (from an 11-23) and really wish I'd gone for a 12-26. Will hopefully switch back to the 11-23 when I'm a bit more 'man'

Reality is, unless you live somewhere that has lots of areas of long downhill areas, that even if you are very very fit, you can't really make a huge amount of use from 50/11. 106rpm on 12/50 is 35mph. At that speed, in just over 17 mins - it would be an amazing TT speed over 10 miles. Think most people would be very happy with a 22min 10mile TT.

rake

youl probably loose the 16 cog which i find very usefull. i was criusing at 32 with a strongish tailwind and my legs gave out before the gearing. should be able to sling it upto 40mph and tuck in downhill. so i stick with the 12-25.

navrig

Thanks guys.

Looks like I can have a turbo tyre on one wheel and an normal on the Bonnies.

ozzzyosborn206

with a compact a 23-11 would be fine you will get up any hills you need to and then unless its really fast should be able to keep up on any tailwind sections

GordonH

Have you thought about changing from a compact to a 53/39?

navrig

GordonH wrote:

Have you thought about changing from a compact to a 53/39?

I did think about that but reckoned it would be more expensive and that changing a wheel would be w whole lot easier than changing the crankset.