Gearing - Ratio advice

h34e0f
h34e0f Posts: 370
edited March 2013 in Road buying advice
Hi, I'm close to starting my Scott CR1 build but would appreciate some opinions or advice. I currently run a 53/39 crankset with 11-22 8 speed cassette. I'm looking to stick with a 53/39, however am unsure as to which cassette to go for, my current 22 can be a little tough on steeper climbs (20%+) so I was thinking about getting something slightly larger on the back (considering I am upgrading to 10spd)

Any opinions/suggestions?

Comments

  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    12/25, 12/27 or 11/28 depending on brand and model in the range.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • h34e0f
    h34e0f Posts: 370
    smidsy wrote:
    12/25, 12/27 or 11/28 depending on brand and model in the range.

    Sorry, forgot to mention that I am looking to get SRAM Force. I would prefer if possible to keep the 11 cog, however am flexible on that one. I think a 25/7 could work! I will see what's available, just wanted to see what people's opinion was really on using a larger ratio on a traditional double.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    I run 11/23 and 12/25 almost exclusively and just stuck on a 12/27 for a hilly ride coming up. (on 53/39 up front). No issues at all, even when 53:27. Bit of clicking and won't do it under load or for long, but works fine.

    11/22 is punchy!
  • h34e0f
    h34e0f Posts: 370
    coriordan wrote:
    I run 11/23 and 12/25 almost exclusively and just stuck on a 12/27 for a hilly ride coming up. (on 53/39 up front). No issues at all, even when 53:27. Bit of clicking and won't do it under load or for long, but works fine.

    11/22 is punchy!

    This is a very good point, I never considered having two options, as I do like my 11-22 for general riding.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    Clearly need to head to Dartmoor a bit more!
  • h34e0f
    h34e0f Posts: 370
    coriordan wrote:
    Clearly need to head to Dartmoor a bit more!
    I ride on Dartmoor at least twice a week, usually via Lee Moor and often include the Tavistock-Princetown cat2 in the route. One of my favourite places to ride by far.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    Nice!
    Given you seem quite a strong rider already, the extra teeth at the back will mean you can spin while seated rather than having to mash your way up the steeper hills.
    I imagine you must be out the saddle on 20% climbs on 39:22 so by upping it to 25, it gives you just enough to be seated if you want a break.
    I've never found myself wanting with the 25, but due to a combination of issues I've put the 27 on - notably as the 25T was rubbing the spokes after a freehub change - but I've got a 200K audax in bristol this weekend (bring on the rain...) so I might want that 27T by the end...
  • h34e0f
    h34e0f Posts: 370
    coriordan wrote:
    Nice!
    Given you seem quite a strong rider already, the extra teeth at the back will mean you can spin while seated rather than having to mash your way up the steeper hills.
    I imagine you must be out the saddle on 20% climbs on 39:22 so by upping it to 25, it gives you just enough to be seated if you want a break.
    I've never found myself wanting with the 25, but due to a combination of issues I've put the 27 on - notably as the 25T was rubbing the spokes after a freehub change - but I've got a 200K audax in bristol this weekend (bring on the rain...) so I might want that 27T by the end...
    This was exactly my thought. I think 11-25 would be perfect.
  • kirkee
    kirkee Posts: 369
    I have a 13 x 26 on one set of wheels and a 13 x 29 on the other with a 39 52 chainset. Campag 10 speed. I do find that its possible to spin out on some descents locally but dont miss a bigger gear top end, I dont race or TT. The ratios I use give a balanced usage on both chainrings.
    53 x 11, that's a massive gear.

    I ride around Plymouth also, good old Porkers to Princetown, The best climb among many in the area IMO.
    Caveat - I buy and ride cheap, however, I reserve the right to advise on expensive kit that I have never actually used and possibly never will
  • ShutUpLegs
    ShutUpLegs Posts: 3,522
    h34e0f wrote:
    my current 22 can be a little tough on steeper climbs (20%+) so I was thinking about getting something slightly larger on the back (considering I am upgrading to 10spd)

    Any opinions/suggestions?

    What kind of cadence are you spinning running a 39x22 on those 20% climbs :?:
  • h34e0f
    h34e0f Posts: 370
    kirkee wrote:
    53 x 11, that's a massive gear.

    I start to spin out with it descending at 65kph+
    ShutUpLegs wrote:
    h34e0f wrote:
    my current 22 can be a little tough on steeper climbs (20%+) so I was thinking about getting something slightly larger on the back (considering I am upgrading to 10spd)

    Any opinions/suggestions?

    What kind of cadence are you spinning running a 39x22 on those 20% climbs :?:

    No idea, sorry.
  • Joe of Loath
    Joe of Loath Posts: 11
    ShutUpLegs wrote:
    h34e0f wrote:
    my current 22 can be a little tough on steeper climbs (20%+) so I was thinking about getting something slightly larger on the back (considering I am upgrading to 10spd)

    Any opinions/suggestions?

    What kind of cadence are you spinning running a 39x22 on those 20% climbs :?:

    He doesn't spin, he uses some kind of antimatter drive, or possibly a steam engine.

    But seriously, I built this bike and sold it to him when I found out I didn't like the fit, I don't know how he does it.
  • kirkee
    kirkee Posts: 369
    ref to the the quote 'I start to spin out with it descending at 65kph+'

    Peddling larger gears down hill can be offset by good bike handling/ tuck position etc. 53 x 11 is a big gear by any ones standards, Id say get a cassette with a 12 or 13 largest gear = smaller gears that are more use more often.
    On a trip to the Pyrenees years back I used a 13 x 26 with a 53 x 39, no probs with gearing whether descending cols or going through the fast river valley flats.
    Caveat - I buy and ride cheap, however, I reserve the right to advise on expensive kit that I have never actually used and possibly never will
  • h34e0f
    h34e0f Posts: 370
    kirkee wrote:
    ref to the the quote 'I start to spin out with it descending at 65kph+'

    Peddling larger gears down hill can be offset by good bike handling/ tuck position etc. 53 x 11 is a big gear by any ones standards, Id say get a cassette with a 12 or 13 largest gear = smaller gears that are more use more often.
    On a trip to the Pyrenees years back I used a 13 x 26 with a 53 x 39, no probs with gearing whether descending cols or going through the fast river valley flats.

    This is fair enough, but I use the 11 a lot on the flat too :?
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    h34e0f wrote:
    kirkee wrote:
    ref to the the quote 'I start to spin out with it descending at 65kph+'

    Peddling larger gears down hill can be offset by good bike handling/ tuck position etc. 53 x 11 is a big gear by any ones standards, Id say get a cassette with a 12 or 13 largest gear = smaller gears that are more use more often.
    On a trip to the Pyrenees years back I used a 13 x 26 with a 53 x 39, no probs with gearing whether descending cols or going through the fast river valley flats.

    This is fair enough, but I use the 11 a lot on the flat too :?

    What kind of cadence are you spinning running a 53x11 on those flats :?: :wink:
    Faster than a tent.......
  • kirkee
    kirkee Posts: 369
    the only 'flats' around Plymouth are the 60's hi risers in Devonport
    Caveat - I buy and ride cheap, however, I reserve the right to advise on expensive kit that I have never actually used and possibly never will
  • h34e0f
    h34e0f Posts: 370
    No idea as to cadence, I can't afford an Edge 500 yet :(
  • ShutUpLegs
    ShutUpLegs Posts: 3,522
    h34e0f wrote:
    No idea as to cadence, I can't afford an Edge 500 yet :(

    Time 6 seconds and see how many revolutions you make.
  • h34e0f
    h34e0f Posts: 370
    I never thought of that :oops: I'm going riding tomorrow hopefully so I'll give it a go

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