SRAM WiFl?

stueys

Passed a guy on the etape riding wifli, the casette was massive Anyone tried it? Have to say it didn't seem to be doing much for the guy's climbing.

Surely once you get past a compact 28 you are trading too much forward momentum for reduced effort?

andyfla

I used one last year for the haute route and loved it , made a real diff to drop from a 28 to a 32

Maybe just me but I was bloody thankful I had it (12% at the top of the Madeleine was bad enough as it was)

sharky1029

You get a wider range of gears as you still get an 11 tooth cog so you could still use a double if you want. Wouldn't personally use it with a compact unless I was doing some sort of crazy alpine ride.
Just remember, many pros use it so it can't be useless.

andyfla

I was using a compact so able to run 34 x 32, but would bother in the uk, unless it was the Fred Whitton

Grill

Some pros use a 34x34. It's all about keeping the cadence up.

DavidJB

Just use 53/39 with 11/25 on the back and MTFU...that being said I'd stick a 27 on there if I was in the mountains

borisface

DavidJB wrote:

Just use 53/39 with 11/25 on the back and MTFU...that being said I'd stick a 27 on there if I was in the mountains

Obviously you are very inexperienced and/or have never ridden up a mountain. Whilst in the UK, for most purposes a 39x23 or 25 is adequate, in proper mountains ie climbs that are going to take at least half an hour its all about keeping the cadence up and remaining comfortable you can only really do that repeatedly with at least a 28 or preferably a 32.

When I lived in the Uk I rode round on a 39x25 for years but now I live in a mountainous area (Portugal) I run 34x11-32 and use the 32 at some point during most rides. Yes you lose momentum, if you mean by that slow down, but hey that's what happens when you ride up a mountain! As an approximation if you ride a 32 your cadence has to be around 10rpm higher than on a 28 to maintain a similar speed.

I seem to recall that when Cobo won the Vuelta, the year that Brad cracked on the Angliru, Cobo was riding 34x36.

mpie

I swapped my usual 11-26 (Compact) for 11-32 for a trip up to Scotland recently and was very glad of it. It meant I could just spin up climbs like Bealach na Ba (and worse) and enjoy the experience rather than 'busting a gut'. It really depends on whether you are out there to 'ride' or 'race'.

DavidJB

borisface wrote:

DavidJB wrote:

Just use 53/39 with 11/25 on the back and MTFU...that being said I'd stick a 27 on there if I was in the mountains

Obviously you are very inexperienced and/or have never ridden up a mountain. Whilst in the UK, for most purposes a 39x23 or 25 is adequate, in proper mountains ie climbs that are going to take at least half an hour its all about keeping the cadence up and remaining comfortable you can only really do that repeatedly with at least a 28 or preferably a 32.

When I lived in the Uk I rode round on a 39x25 for years but now I live in a mountainous area (Portugal) I run 34x11-32 and use the 32 at some point during most rides. Yes you lose momentum, if you mean by that slow down, but hey that's what happens when you ride up a mountain! As an approximation if you ride a 32 your cadence has to be around 10rpm higher than on a 28 to maintain a similar speed.

I seem to recall that when Cobo won the Vuelta, the year that Brad cracked on the Angliru, Cobo was riding 34x36.

It was obviously a joke.

hatch87

Maybe you should of put a cheeky winking smiley next to your post so we knew it was a Joke! Oh wait............

wishitwasallflat

Each to their own but I've got APEX WiFli 11-32 with a Compact and its fab - spin and improve your CV fitness rather than grind and wear out your knees (but I'm 50 and 18 st!)

bazzer2

I think it has it's place. I live in Somerset, famous for being flat. However, I am well within the range of the Quantock hills, so rather than have only the choice of flat or walk, I chose a bike with Apex and that massive cassette. There's a 20% mile long hill I''ve unfinished business with that it's incredibly handy on.

Grill

bazzer2 wrote:

I think it has it's place. I live in Somerset, famous for being flat. However, I am well within the range of the Quantock hills, so rather than have only the choice of flat or walk, I chose a bike with Apex and that massive cassette. There's a 20% mile long hill I''ve unfinished business with that it's incredibly handy on.

Segment?

bazzer2

Grill wrote:

bazzer2 wrote:

I think it has it's place. I live in Somerset, famous for being flat. However, I am well within the range of the Quantock hills, so rather than have only the choice of flat or walk, I chose a bike with Apex and that massive cassette. There's a 20% mile long hill I''ve unfinished business with that it's incredibly handy on.

Segment?

http://app.strava.com/segments/3664117

http://100hillsforgeorge.blogspot.co.uk ... oombe.html

Grill

Seems fine. If ever I'm in the area I'll give it a go.

bazzer2

If you are in need of a guide / cheerleader, tap me up!

djhermer

Sorry to divert the topic - but it is related. I recently bought a set of Wheelsmith Racelights from the classifieds here, the chap kindly left a cassette on. I looked at it and thought 'blimey, that's an MTB cassette' and whipped it off. It is indeed a SRAM 11-32.

I have thought it would be useful for a trip to the Lakes or Scotland. My question is, i normally run 11-26 (or 12-28 if i have the powertap wheel on). Do those of you that swap between cassettes and up to a 32 find you need to extend the chain by a link or two? I can swap between 26 & 28 without any adjustment.

Cheers,

Grill

Unless you're running a wifli or medium/long cage mech you really need to swap the rear mech to the aforementioned.

djhermer

Grill wrote:

Unless you're running a wifli or medium/long cage mech you really need to swap the rear mech to the aforementioned.

Ah, OK. Thanks. S0d that then.

stueys

I'm not convinced to be honest. I get that it's lower and you can spin but surely if you're not fit enough to spin a compact 28 then you're going to struggle no matter what you're on? Doing 5mph up for 10 miles doesn't hold a great appeal.