53-39 Crank 12-28 cassette.

PLuKE

Looking at a new crankset, an Ultegra 53-39 with a 12-28 cassette.

I have a 50-34 at present with the 12-28 cassette, my riding is mainly flat and small hills only which is few and far.

Would a 53-39 be to big a jump?

Tha ks

markhewitt1978

Bottom gears
34/28 = 1.21
39/28 = 1.39

Top gears
50/12 = 4.16
53/12 = 4.41

Your bottom gear would be roughly equivalent to 34/25 (which is 1.36), if you never use a lower gear than that currently then you'll be fine.

PLuKE

Thanks.

I mainly ride on the 34 and sit on the 26? (2nd cog) if I am being lazy! Up hill.

Thanks

markhewitt1978

I guess try riding on the 34 and third cog and see if that's ok, if you're sure that's as low as you're ever going to need, including going and doing sportives or whatever you do, then fine.

brettjmcc

why not just get a lower cassette first to see, as it is a cheaper option.

I ended up changing my old bike to a 12-23 on my best bike running 50/34 as I had built another bike up with a double running 12-25. Probably the best thing I did for round in Essex. Yes, hard at first but adapted (still kept 12-27 for going to Wales though)

markhewitt1978

brettjmcc wrote:

why not just get a lower cassette first to see, as it is a cheaper option.

I think OP has a cheap deal on a new chainset?

PLuKE

I can't say for sure I won't use a lower gear that the 3rd cog.


I don't spin out in my current gear unless downhill. But that's rare!

It's cheal that's why I was going to go for the Ultegra.

Luke

markhewitt1978

How cheap are we talking here?

PLuKE

£80.

Luke

markhewitt1978

I can do you a 170mm 50/34 6800 chainset for £70 + postage. 2000 miles 'on the clock' PM if interested.

Mad_Malx

You are loosing a bottom gear that you might need, and gaining a top gear that you will never use.

Although the price is good, you are loosing more than you gain from having a better chainset. In my opinion the difference in Ultegra is more noticible in the shifters and mechs than the chainset, and even then the difference (when set up correctly) is quite small compared with 105.

PLuKE

Is the 6800 and 6700 Ultegra both a different shade of grey?

I think the cheap crankset I have seen I shall give it a miss. I don't want to have no gain, losing a top and bottom, would not gain any better ratios at all?

Luke

markhewitt1978

PLuKE wrote:

Is the 6800 and 6700 Ultegra both a different shade of grey?

I think the cheap crankset I have seen I shall give it a miss. I don't want to have no gain, losing a top and bottom, would not gain any better ratios at all?

Luke

Yeah they are a slightly different shade of grey.