53/39 Cassette ratios for crits

bukowski102

Hello people's

I will race mostly flat crits this year and have
Got some tubs with a 12/25 cassette.
Could anyone recommend a better ratio as
I seem to need a lower gear as I ride with fast
Cadence, so basically i don't have to ride on the
Biggest rear sprocket and have more options
Whilst in the 53!
Many thanks !!!
Joseph

imposter2.0

I've read this a few times, but I'm not sure I understand your question. Assuming you are saying that you are overgeared on a 53 + 12-25, then just put a 50t on the front.

How Far is too Far

compact chainset with a 50t your current cassett would be a good choice. Or maybe a 28/11 cassett but even with 11 speed they are not that close ratio'ed especcially if you are use to the 25/12

NeXXus

Get fitter?

maryka

Get a 50T and also an 11-23, that will give you 50x11 plus let you stay in the big ring for any climbs (thinking of Hog Hill where I always ride in the big ring up the hill unless it's a hooling headwind). Shifting up and down the chainrings every lap is a pain for that kind of circuit. Can't think of any other circuit I've ridden where I'd want to be in anything but the big ring all the time, but maybe there are bigger hills where you are?

bukowski102

NeXXus wrote:

Get fitter?

No problem with fitness just some people are mashers and some spin!

bukowski102

maryka wrote:

Get a 50T and also an 11-23, that will give you 50x11 plus let you stay in the big ring for any climbs (thinking of Hog Hill where I always ride in the big ring up the hill unless it's a hooling headwind). Shifting up and down the chainrings every lap is a pain for that kind of circuit. Can't think of any other circuit I've ridden where I'd want to be in anything but the big ring all the time, but maybe there are bigger hills where you are?

Thanks for advice, yes I feel I need a lower gear to recover in the 53 sometimes, so would a 12/27 help?
Don't really wat to change my chainset, many thanks J

maryka

Have a play with this http://sheldonbrown.com/gears/ and see what you get when you plug in various rings and cogs, and see what speed you get for 90 or 100rpm (or however you want to compare them). A 12-27 will give you a 24T as your next gear up, so the 53x24 might be enough for what you want. Also you can get a 52T ring maybe?

imposter2.0

bukowski102 wrote:

maryka wrote:

Get a 50T and also an 11-23, that will give you 50x11 plus let you stay in the big ring for any climbs (thinking of Hog Hill where I always ride in the big ring up the hill unless it's a hooling headwind). Shifting up and down the chainrings every lap is a pain for that kind of circuit. Can't think of any other circuit I've ridden where I'd want to be in anything but the big ring all the time, but maybe there are bigger hills where you are?

Thanks for advice, yes I feel I need a lower gear to recover in the 53 sometimes, so would a 12/27 help?
Don't really wat to change my chainset, many thanks J

In what kind of 'flat' crit would you ever need a 27..??

In any case, 50t 130bcd rings are available, so no need for a new chainset.

cycleclinic

how about change down to the 39T ring if you really like spinning.

DavidJB

People use the small ring in crits ??

iron-clover

It sounds a bit unusual- why not just use the 39t inner? Otherwise get a 50t outer. You really don't want to be increasing your gear range on the cassette- you want it as close as possible so you can change to a gear that feels comfortable at slight changes of speed. When you're putting the power down you want to be able to spin at the cadence you like best.

I personally rock a 12-23t cassette when I'm racing (only 8spd, otherwise would like to stretch to 11-23) and only have a compact which gets me by fine.

whoof

On a flat crit I used to used 12/21 and was never a gear masher
A 700c wheel has a circumference of about 2.1 m or 0.0021 km. In a gear of 53/25 this is a ratio of 2.12.
If you pedaled at 120 rpm then you would be going at 0.0021*2.12*120*60= 32 kph or 20 mph. This seems very slow for a crit. If you are slowing down for the corners this could be because you are sitting a bit far back in the bunch. Move up and you can go around them at a fair speed with those further back will start to brake and then have to accelerate.

Pocket Rocket

Blimey, i've never gone up Hog Hill in the big ring.
Is there a problem with your front mech

okgo

Even the best front mech can be thrown if you shift down from big to small while applying plenty of force. I think HH in the big ring would be where the race is going some, if not then yes, spin it out in the 42/23

olake92

How much smaller do you need to go? 52/39t x 11-27 is almost 10% smaller in the 52x27. 52x11 is actually a bigger ratio than 53x12. Are you on 10 or 11 speed? 11-27 might be a bit much on 10 speed.

markos1963

bukowski102 wrote:

maryka wrote:

Get a 50T and also an 11-23, that will give you 50x11 plus let you stay in the big ring for any climbs (thinking of Hog Hill where I always ride in the big ring up the hill unless it's a hooling headwind). Shifting up and down the chainrings every lap is a pain for that kind of circuit. Can't think of any other circuit I've ridden where I'd want to be in anything but the big ring all the time, but maybe there are bigger hills where you are?

Thanks for advice, yes I feel I need a lower gear to recover in the 53 sometimes, so would a 12/27 help?
Don't really wat to change my chainset, many thanks J

Recover? In a flat crit? Need a 27? Think i'll give up TTing and go back to crit racing if it's getting that easy!