11-32 or man up?

dstev55
dstev55 Posts: 742
edited April 2016 in Road general
Right then, I've signed up to do the Peak Epic sportive in June. It is 165km long with a whopping 4000m of climbing.

I've got a bike with a 52/36 and 11-28 combo. I'm toying with the idea of putting an 11-32 on the rear for this sportive. It's not the climbing so much that worries me, but the length of time I'm going to be in the saddle (8 hours+). However I'm sure the easier I can get up the climbs the easier I'll find the distance. It's going to cost me about £130 to have a new rear cassette, mech and fitting. I'm assuming there will be no problem with a 36-32 combo and I can use my original chain?

What do you think - a good idea or just man up!?
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Comments

  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    You probably can't use your original chain and, someone else will confirm, I don't know if 32's play nicely with 52's.

    What groupset do you have?

    In terms of manning up, meh, you don't have to use it and, if you do need it, it's there.
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  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    a good idea
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  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Actually, may be cheaper to go compact! Similar effect.
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  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    Actually, may be cheaper to go compact! Similar effect.

    He'll be fine with the chain he's got, as long as he doesn't use the 52 x 32, which would be pointless anyway

    Besides, generally new cassette demands a new chain anyway
    left the forum March 2023
  • dstev55
    dstev55 Posts: 742
    Actually, may be cheaper to go compact! Similar effect.

    He'll be fine with the chain he's got, as long as he doesn't use the 52 x 32, which would be pointless anyway

    Besides, generally new cassette demands a new chain anyway

    For the sake of £15 I may as well chuck a new chain on although my current one has done less than 1000km.

    My bike currently has a Dura Ace rear mech and Ultegra cassette.
  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437
    I think I'd go compact. Cheaper.

    Not done the calculation but worth a look -

    https://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-ul ... 62929.html
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    36 x 32 is a 1.12 ratio
    34 x 28 is a 1.21 ratio

    not the same thing, quite a big difference, in fact!
    left the forum March 2023
  • veronese68
    veronese68 Posts: 27,826
    dstev55 wrote:
    For the sake of £15 I may as well chuck a new chain on although my current one has done less than 1000km.
    Keep the old chain and cassette, if they're not worn they can go back on together at some point in the future.
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    34/50 £99 (172.5) and get a 12-30 cassette (assuming your mech can take it).

    ;)
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  • DeVlaeminck
    DeVlaeminck Posts: 9,106
    If you already have a 28 I'd probably go with that - not against easier gears but I don't think it'll be make or break for one event - if you find you want easier gears more often then yes probably a good idea.

    Just checked out the route - at first glance it looks a cracker.
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  • mrb123
    mrb123 Posts: 4,821
    Why not go the whole hog and go to a compact with an 11-32. Living up in the North that's what I have on both my bikes. I never feel I need more than 50/11 but I'm sometimes glad of being able to bail out to my 34/32!
  • cycleclinic
    cycleclinic Posts: 6,865
    No point in stuggling up hills. Only you can decide what gearing is right for you. Point yourself and your bike in the direction of a hill and see what you can comfortably manage. Then immagine it steeper and longer.
    http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.
  • andcp
    andcp Posts: 644
    Just as aside, it may be possible to accomodate a 32 rear with a short cage mech - Shimano say it won't work, but I've got one of my bikes set up like that, albeit 105, and it runs great (plenty of 'b' screw). If you know someone with a 32 tooth rear ask if you can borrow it to try it out.

    eta - living in Matlock I ride these hills a lot and as a 54 year old ex-smoker I manage just fine on a 34/28, usually I'm on the 25.
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  • dstev55
    dstev55 Posts: 742
    Going to compact is not an option for me, I'm running Rotor Q rings on a Rotor crank, and I've only just bought the Q rings so I'm not forking out for a 3rd set of rings for what will be fairly minimal gain.

    I don't mind buying an Ultegra rear mech, only talking about £40.

    I generally don't struggle up hills but I know my body is definitely going to struggle with the time in the saddle so the easier it is getting up the hills the better for me.
  • feisty
    feisty Posts: 161
    11-32 is like the old 10 speed 11-28 with a 32 added on for good measure; i.e. the gear spacing up to the 28 is just as good as you used to get on 10 speed bikes just a few years back and most people always thought that gave good spacing

    So I think there's very little downside. FWIW I'm doing the same sportive albeit the medium version and I'm using 11-32 on a compact.

    This makes me think it worthwhile: http://veloviewer.com/segment/990240

    You may well get up in a harder gear like a 28, but I bet you in a 32 it's more comfortable and keeps your legs slightly less fatigued for the hills to come
  • dstev55
    dstev55 Posts: 742
    feisty wrote:
    11-32 is like the old 10 speed 11-28 with a 32 added on for good measure; i.e. the gear spacing up to the 28 is just as good as you used to get on 10 speed bikes just a few years back and most people always thought that gave good spacing

    So I think there's very little downside. FWIW I'm doing the same sportive albeit the medium version and I'm using 11-32 on a compact.

    This makes me think it worthwhile: http://veloviewer.com/segment/990240

    You may well get up in a harder gear like a 28, but I bet you in a 32 it's more comfortable and keeps your legs slightly less fatigued for the hills to come

    I'd be really worried about that climb - if I was going up it! 8)

    It's probably the only main climb in the Peak District that doesn't feature.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    To the OP: buying a 32 cassette is the best option, if it comes as 105 even better and cheaper. Don't listen to those who would want you to buy a whole new drivetrain... your original idea, at 23 quid or so, is the best and most convenient and does not require any other adjustment, neither longer chains, nor longer derailleur cages, just fit it and ride... period
    left the forum March 2023
  • dstev55
    dstev55 Posts: 742
    To the OP: buying a 32 cassette is the best option, if it comes as 105 even better and cheaper. Don't listen to those who would want you to buy a whole new drivetrain... your original idea, at 23 quid or so, is the best and most convenient and does not require any other adjustment, neither longer chains, nor longer derailleur cages, just fit it and ride... period

    So a 32 would work with a Dura Ace RD? I assume it would just be a case of reindexing the rear gears then?
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    dstev55 wrote:
    To the OP: buying a 32 cassette is the best option, if it comes as 105 even better and cheaper. Don't listen to those who would want you to buy a whole new drivetrain... your original idea, at 23 quid or so, is the best and most convenient and does not require any other adjustment, neither longer chains, nor longer derailleur cages, just fit it and ride... period

    So a 32 would work with a Dura Ace RD? I assume it would just be a case of reindexing the rear gears then?

    It CAN work but it's not guaranteed. Up to you to try. There's a bloke on youtube who got it to work on his bike. DA9000.

    You won't lose any money as you want a 32t. But you may find that it doesn't work and have to shell out the rest. I'm struggling to see why you won't need a longer chain mind..........
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  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,700
    I would strongly recommend a longer chain. It's happened to me and a friend that we re play racing our mates, come to a small rise and slam the mech into 52x32 instantly ripping the mech apart and breaking the hanger. Not worth the risk for the sake of 15 quid.

    Keep the old stuff and put it back on afterwards and keep using it till it wears out. Keep the 32 cassette and chain (and RD if necessary) for the next big ride.
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  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    I'm struggling to see why you won't need a longer chain mind..........

    You only need a longer chain if you want to use the 52 x 32... but it's not a ratio I would advise, same as a 36 x 11... crossing chains is never good practice
    left the forum March 2023
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    But it's something he may use, inadvertanly or not. So he needs a longer chain.

    Or he can stick a large sticker on his stem to remind himself not to use the 32t sprocket. :roll:
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  • dstev55
    dstev55 Posts: 742
    I'll inadvertently use the 52-32, guarenteed. To be fair for an extra £40 I may as well whack an Ultegra RD on too and not have to worry about any of it going wrong.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    But it's something he may use, inadvertanly or not. So he needs a longer chain.

    Or he can stick a large sticker on his stem to remind himself not to use the 32t sprocket. :roll:

    He might even make use of a portable coffee maker or a second saddle to rest the balls if they hang loose, but that doesn't mean he needs either of them. :wink:

    But then again, I am very "gear aware", others maybe just shift until they reach the end of the ratchet...
    left the forum March 2023
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    But it's something he may use, inadvertanly or not. So he needs a longer chain.

    Or he can stick a large sticker on his stem to remind himself not to use the 32t sprocket. :roll:

    He might even make use of a portable coffee maker or a second saddle to rest the balls if they hang loose, but that doesn't mean he needs either of them. :wink:

    But then again, I am very "gear aware", others maybe just shift until they reach the end of the ratchet...

    Brilliant example. He might use something that isn't present v something that is. Superb logic.

    OP, just checking, are you 11 speed? (from recollection 10 speed goes up to 30t, 11 speed 32t, so if 10 you will want a SRAM cassette which does do 32t)
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  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    As long as you don't mind the bigger gaps between gears it's always better to have a low gear than not to have it. Grinding up hills doesn't get you up them faster. So it's worth putting the bigger cassette on, you can always go back to the 28 later.
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    OP, just checking, are you 11 speed? (from recollection 10 speed goes up to 30t, 11 speed 32t, so if 10 you will want a SRAM cassette which does do 32t)

    Was the case until recently, now 4700 Tiagra has 10 speed cassettes in 11-32 and 11-34 flavours.
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    OP, just checking, are you 11 speed? (from recollection 10 speed goes up to 30t, 11 speed 32t, so if 10 you will want a SRAM cassette which does do 32t)

    Was the case until recently, now 4700 Tiagra has 10 speed cassettes in 11-32 and 11-34 flavours.

    Ta. Not 6700 though?
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  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    edited April 2016
    OP, just checking, are you 11 speed? (from recollection 10 speed goes up to 30t, 11 speed 32t, so if 10 you will want a SRAM cassette which does do 32t)

    Was the case until recently, now 4700 Tiagra has 10 speed cassettes in 11-32 and 11-34 flavours.

    Ta. Not 6700 though?

    All Shimano 10 speed cassettes are compatible. So 4700 will work fine, you just have to remember with Tiagra no spacer is required. Although if you do want 6700 then I'd recommend 12-30, it's not as low as 32 of course but it's a good way there and works with normal short cage mechs.
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    OP, just checking, are you 11 speed? (from recollection 10 speed goes up to 30t, 11 speed 32t, so if 10 you will want a SRAM cassette which does do 32t)

    Was the case until recently, now 4700 Tiagra has 10 speed cassettes in 11-32 and 11-34 flavours.

    Ta. Not 6700 though?

    All Shimano 10 speed cassettes are compatible. So 4700 will work fine, you just have to remember with Tiagra no spacer is required.

    No. I meant there's no 6700 cassette in 32t?
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