Cassettes

Brian1
Brian1 Posts: 595
edited May 2013 in Road general
I cant get my head roud this gearing carry on! I currently run a 12/27 but was considering buying a 11/25. Am I right in saying this ratio should make me quicker on the flat? Thanks

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Comments

  • Sprool
    Sprool Posts: 1,022
    edited May 2013
    Stronger legs and pedalling technique will make you quicker on the hills and the flats.
    11/25 cassette is higher gearing that 12/27.
    I have a triple with 50 tooth outer ring. At 85 cadence the 12T sprocket will give me 27.7mph vs 30.2mph for the 11T.
    I can't keep 30mph up for very long on the flat cos I'm middle aged, a little overweight and not as fit as I'd like to be (though a huge lot fitter & lighter than I was last year....)
    I have an 11/28 cassette which is great for me as there's some serious long steep hills round my way. I would not get up them with a 25 tooth as the biggest option available.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    Brian1 wrote:
    I cant get my head roud this gearing carry on! I currently run a 12/27 but was considering buying a 11/25. Am I right in saying this ratio should make me quicker on the flat? Thanks

    Are you currently spinning out on your 12 sprocket ?? If not, why do you think an 11 will make you any quicker ?
  • Barrzy257
    Barrzy257 Posts: 411
    If and 11t will make you faster than a 12t, then you shouldn't asking us, at them speed go talk to your mechanic on your pro team... In other words, dropping from a 12 to an 11 shouldn't make any difference to you, most of us on this forum would need the 27 more than the 11
  • bernithebiker
    bernithebiker Posts: 4,148
    Barrzy257 wrote:
    If and 11t will make you faster than a 12t, then you shouldn't asking us, at them speed go talk to your mechanic on your pro team... In other words, dropping from a 12 to an 11 shouldn't make any difference to you, most of us on this forum would need the 27 more than the 11

    True to an extent, but if you run a compact 50/34, then I find the 11 essential.

    In a pack, going for it a bit, on a slight downhill, speeds can easily get up to 60kph+ (40mph-ish), and I will be spinning pretty crazily at those speeds on the 50-11.

    I use 21-11 for normal riding, and go to 28-11 for the Alps.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    No it wont make you quicker on the flat - you'd just be pedalling slower in a higher gear.
  • Brian1
    Brian1 Posts: 595
    Thanks for the replies. I will stick with what I have!
  • Pickled Pig
    Pickled Pig Posts: 233
    Barrzy257 wrote:
    If and 11t will make you faster than a 12t, then you shouldn't asking us, at them speed go talk to your mechanic on your pro team... In other words, dropping from a 12 to an 11 shouldn't make any difference to you, most of us on this forum would need the 27 more than the 11

    +1
    Also it's not just about top and bottom ratios. I switched to 12-27 for the 16 tooth sprocket which I use a lot more than either 11 or 28.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    The only thing worth changing to is a 12-25 if you do not need (i.e never need to use) the 27 (when on the small front chainring), as it will make your ratios closer.
  • Markjaspi
    Markjaspi Posts: 729
    I switched from a 11-28 to 11-25 and found the biggest benefit being the smaller gap between the cogs allow me to find a cog to suite my cadence much better. The other benefit I've found (although I did not think so at first), is that as I do not drop to the 34 at the front on the hills near me ( so now hitting them on a 25 not the 28) means I have built up a bit more leg muscle from grinding a little more and my average in the 20 mile training route I do has increased from around 19.6 to 20.31 (today). Maybe a little slower on the hills but certainly manage to match my leg speed better and gained on the flats/down slopes.
    Cipollini Bond
    Pinarello GAN

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