Double to compact options - advice please

mosa

I've been out of riding most of the year (my bad). I've just bought a 2010 madone 5.2 which has a double set up with 25 rear. I know I'm going to struggle but my questions is will moving to a 28 rear help me on the hills (I know it will to some respect) or should I look for a compact group set ??

markhewitt1978

Depending on what spec you go for then changing the cassette is going to be the cheaper option, e.g. £30 for a cassette instead of about £150 for a new chainset; so that should always be your first option, and it's easy to fit yourself.

A 28 rear will certainly help you - 39/25 = 1.56 vs 39/28 = 1.39. Your rear mech may be able to handle a 30T rear cassette; much like the 12-30 Ultegra cassette I have on my bike 39/30 = 1.3.
S

mosa

I think I have a short cage on rear would that go to 30? And will I see much difference on the hills?

cougie

Sounds like you're changing stuff before you've ridden it ?

I'd ride the bike and then see if you need the lower gears. And if you've not ridden all year - will you really start in the winter ?

markhewitt1978

mosa wrote:

I think I have a short cage on rear would that go to 30? And will I see much difference on the hills?

Some will some won't. You'll have to change your chain whatever.

Can't say if you'll see a difference, only you can say that. But a 5T difference is a lot.

lakesluddite

I went from a 11/25 to a 11/28 cassette in the spring on my standard 53/39 set up, and I could tell the difference strainght away, and as has been said before, this is the much cheaper option to begin with.

If you're struggling with that, then you can always go compact later.