New small chainring or bigger cassette

badgolfer1973
badgolfer1973 Posts: 11
edited March 2016 in Workshop
Hi, please forgive any newbie errors

I have just bought a 2015 specialized tarmac sport, crankset is FSA gossamer 52/36 with 105 11 speed cassette 11-28, and 105 rear mech.

I have realised i'm going to need an easier lowest gear, but I love having the higher gears also, my questions are....

1, Can I simply replace my small chainring for a 34T? as I'd like to keep the 52T
2. Would I be better off changing the rear cassette to a 11-32
3, shall I change both, 50/34T and 11-32 cassette?

I have entered events with 10,000ft of elevation and yes I'm worried.

any advice appreciated

Comments

  • keezx
    keezx Posts: 1,323
    The difference between 50x11 or 52x11 is futile, both huge gears, a 52 brings no avantage whatsoever to mortals.
  • 97th choice
    97th choice Posts: 2,222
    Do you have a short cage or medium cage rear mech?
    Too-ra-loo-ra, too-ra-loo-rye, aye

    Giant Trance
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  • badgolfer1973
    badgolfer1973 Posts: 11
    edited March 2016
    Keezx

    My question wasn't about the 50 or 52T, unless you are suggesting I change to 50/34T
  • badgolfer1973
    badgolfer1973 Posts: 11
    97th choice wrote:
    Do you have a short cage or medium cage rear mech?

    It's a short cage I think.
    Why does this matter?
  • arlowood
    arlowood Posts: 2,561
    badgolfer1973 wrote:
    97th choice wrote:
    Do you have a short cage or medium cage rear mech?

    It's a short cage I think.
    Why does this matter?

    To run an 11-32 cassette you will need to fit a medium cage rear derailleur, the short cage will not cope. However medium cage derailleurs are not that expensive so that might be a good initial step to see how you get on.

    Failing that you could always sell off your 52/36 chainset and buy a 50/34 - that would help a bit with the smaller 34t inner ring.

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