16-25 Cassette on a CAAD10 - U16 Gearing restrictions

andyoh

Chaps,

My son has a Cannondale CAAD10 size 60 as he is 6'2". He is racing this year and as BC regs state the gearing he can use is restricted to 6.93m of a full rotation of the crank. I was advised by the club he'll be riding for to get him a 52 chain ring and run a 16-25 cassette. When I ordered the bike the LBS swapped the 50/34 for a 52/38 chain rings but said that the 16 tooth ring on the 16-25 cassette would foul the seat stay. Admittedly the LBS didn't have a 16-25 cassette in stock and I haven't as yet bought one as the LBS suggested I use another cassette and just adjust the limit screws. I can obviously do this but I would like to give my son a full range of gears.

Does anyone konw if a 16-25 cassette will work and not foul the seat stay on a CAAD10 or whether it's best to just buy a 15-25 cassette and limit the last ratio and use 9 speed only?

Any thoughts or your experiences would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

mentalalex

can use a 46 outer ring then a 14-25 cassete

andyoh

I'd like to keep the 52 chainring as I've just bought it on the advice of the club.

I realise a 14-25 will work with a 46 front.

Anyone else?

mentalalex

52-16 is the norm, as when you move up to junior it's 52-14.

not herd of any problems with the 16 cassette before! sorry it's not much help.

Eddy S

I set my lad's bike up 46 with 14-25 - just seemed a better solution with a broader range to use.

I used a Stronglight chainring so relatively inexpensive and the 52 is being saved for when he goes up to the Juniors.

andyoh

Alex & Eddy,

Thanks for your replies guys. Looks like I'll keep the 52 for when he goes to Junior in 2014 and use a 46 front and 14-25 cassette for this year. This is the only option as a 16-25 will foul the seat stay.

Cheers.

Jim C

Not a caad frame, but on 2 planet x frames the 16 tooth sprocket fouled the seat stay of my u16 sons bike. We used 15 up cassettes and locked off the 15. Worked fine, no issues or drama

46 chain ring is a better solution imo

calmx5

Ok, so could I use 50x14 and restrict the gearing?

andyoh

If you already have a 14-25 cassette, a 46 tooth front chain ring isn't that expensive if you know where to get one from. If you use a 50 tooth chain ring you will still need to use 16 up which will restrict the amount of gears available to you.

I had already paid for the 52 FSA Super chain ring and the 38 FSA Super inner chain ring which were quite costly, thankfully I didn't buy a 16-25 cassette. I'll keep the 52 for when my son goes to junior in 2014. I've managed to sell the standard 12-25 Ultegra cassette which came with the bike so the change to a 14-25 Ultegra cassette and the 46 tooth chain ring is only costing me £35 net.

calmx5

Ok then, may I ask which 46t ring you've bought? (link please) Bought the 14-25 Ultegra cassette off a mate going into 3rd cat a while back, but do shimano even make a 46 ring for Ultegra FC6700 crank, or a similar esque one?

Or, if I use another cassette and just adjust the limit screws, what would be the best to go with 50/34?


Man, there was me thinking it'd be simple.

andyoh

I bought an FSA Gossamer Pro 46t chain ring from Planet X as the bike has a FSA crank. Do remember to get the right BCD. If you have a compact chain set it's 110 BCD, if its a standard chain set its 130 BCD. Do your research and you'll be fine.

imposter2.0

Stronglight or TA rings are generally available and not too pricey - ebay or Spa Cycles

calmx5

Thanks for your help everyone - all sorted, looking foward to the season.