Help Need Advice - Just bought 11-32 10 speed Cassette

Privateirony

Ive gone out and bought my self a new rear cassette as the old one was knackered and needed replacing. The only thing is i've bought a 11-32 (http://tinyurl.com/ku7nrch) which, if i am right in thinking will be a little harder to pedal up hill due to having less teeth (smaller cog) in the slower gears?? (please tell me if i am wrong)
Can i off-set this difference by getting a smaller set of chainrings, or would it be simpler just to go out and buy a new cassette and chain and keep this and new chain for less strenuous up-hill challenges?

I am due to go to scotland in the next few weeks and don't want to be having to push my bike up hill due to my ignorance on this!

njee20

If you had an 11-36 before then yes, you have a slightly taller bottom gear. It would be easier to change to cassette for the right one rather than messing with rings.

craker

well I don't know what your last cassette was, so I've no idea whether the new ratios are easier or harder. FWIW, have a look at a gear calculator (eg Sheldon Brown) the difference between 32 and 34 is 5%. Just push 5% harder and you'll be fine.

thelonegroover

Privateirony wrote:

Ive gone out and bought my self a new rear cassette as the old one was knackered and needed replacing. The only thing is i've bought a 11-32 (http://tinyurl.com/ku7nrch) which, if i am right in thinking will be a little harder to pedal up hill due to having less teeth (smaller cog) in the slower gears?? (please tell me if i am wrong)
Can i off-set this difference by getting a smaller set of chainrings, or would it be simpler just to go out and buy a new cassette and chain and keep this and new chain for less strenuous up-hill challenges?

I am due to go to scotland in the next few weeks and don't want to be having to push my bike up hill due to my ignorance on this!

If you have not used it, CRC should exchange for the correct one.

Privateirony

Thelonegroover wrote:

Privateirony wrote:

Ive gone out and bought my self a new rear cassette as the old one was knackered and needed replacing. The only thing is i've bought a 11-32 (http://tinyurl.com/ku7nrch) which, if i am right in thinking will be a little harder to pedal up hill due to having less teeth (smaller cog) in the slower gears?? (please tell me if i am wrong)
Can i off-set this difference by getting a smaller set of chainrings, or would it be simpler just to go out and buy a new cassette and chain and keep this and new chain for less strenuous up-hill challenges?

I am due to go to scotland in the next few weeks and don't want to be having to push my bike up hill due to my ignorance on this!

If you have not used it, CRC should exchange for the correct one.

Yeah... Unfortunately I have used it already

The Rookie

What chainring sizes do you have?

Privateirony

Good question. I have no idea will have to check later... is there a standard? The bike is pretty much "as is" from when it was built by my lbs in terms of gearing all parts have been replaced like for like where necessary. Oh and bile is a santa cruz heckler if that helps matters

Privateirony

craker wrote:

well I don't know what your last cassette was, so I've no idea whether the new ratios are easier or harder. FWIW, have a look at a gear calculator (eg Sheldon Brown) the difference between 32 and 34 is 5%. Just push 5% harder and you'll be fine.

Love the attitude. .. go hard or go home