50T Compact with a 11 or 12 cassette?

white91

Sorry if this has been done to death.

I currently ride a 50/34 with a 12-26 cassette, all of my friends ride 53/39, I am a powerful rider who tends to mash more than spin.

Would I notice any difference switching to a 11-26 cassette? Sometimes on a fast downhill I would like a it more.

rpd_steve

Well changing to a 11T would mean you will get a hole in the ratios that will feel huge... At 120rpm you'd be doing 40 MPH in 50-12T, so unless you live on the top of an alp with a car back up it would be very seldom that the 11T would help you when compared to how frequently the closer gear range would help you. Id probably learn to spin a bit more - easier on your legs/knees, on your gears/chain and uses less energy.

ShutUpLegs

white91 wrote:

Sorry if this has been done to death.

I currently ride a 50/34 with a 12-26 cassette, all of my friends ride 53/39, I am a powerful rider who tends to mash more than spin.

Would I notice any difference switching to a 11-26 cassette? Sometimes on a fast downhill I would like a it more.

How much power are you putting out :?:

white91

Maybe spinning out more is a better option, I thought someone who had switched would be able to offer advice. My GPS top speed was recorded at 49.7 mph, however this was very brief.

My peak power was measured 2 yrs ago and it was 1480 watts, I have since started plyometrics, weighted sled pulls and sprints and squat reasonable weights so maybe that would give me a little more.

mroli

It is a damn sight of an easier fix than going from a compact to a standard. There'll be a difference, but not much of one, you're not suddenly going to be grinding away going downhill at 50rpm. I ride a compact and have a mixture of cassettes on wheels and I wouldn't rush out and get an 11-26 to replace a 12-26, unless you are looking at replacing anyway. In relation to the "massive" gaps thing - I'd take that with a pinch of salt - people ride 12-28s happily and you could (depending on your lowest gear requirements) go 11-25 if you felt it was going to cause a problem.

You'll probably go better on a fast downhill if you think about your body position and get in a good tuck.

StillGoing

What do you use more; are you spinning out more in your 50/12 or spend more time using the middle range? Gear for what you use most and not least.

white91

Think I have my answer, when my cassette wears out it will be replaced with an 11-26 or similar, it's not that often I'm pushing 50 12 anyway