Standard Double Cassette help

mjjbuk

Hello.I have a standard double road bike 39/53 with a 12x25 cassette. I'm now getting back into my cycling and was wondering what I could do to give me a few more gears for the hills without swapping out the whole chainset. I have heard I can change the cassette to give me a couple of extra gears but what would I need to change it to? And would I also need to change my rear durailler and lengthen the chain etc?

Thanks in advance.

super_davo

What groupset is it? I'm presuming it will be 10 speed as most 11 speed cassettes start at 11.

If Shimano (or SRAM) 10 speed, there is a Tiagra 12-28 cassette which will cost about £20. You shouldn't need to change your mech but you might need a longer chain; try it first as you might be OK as is.

If that's not enough, there is a 12-30 Ultegra which may work with a short cage mech (be pushing it) and if that's still not enough then Shimano now make up to an 11-34! Though that would almost certainly need a long cage mech as well, and by the time you're doing that, you might as well pick up a compact chainset.

If Campag there are similar ratios, I think there is a 12-29 - they are just miles more expensive!

Anonymous

Ladies and gentlemen of the class of 2017........... change the chain
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, changing the chain would be it
The long term benefits of changing the chain have been proved by scientists
Whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable
Than my own meandering experience, I will dispense this advice now

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth, oh, never mind
You will never understand the power
And the beauty of your youth until they've faded
But trust me, in twenty years
You will look back at photos of yourself

And recall in a way you can't grasp now
How much possibility lay before you
And how fabulous you really looked
You are not as fat as you imagine

Don't worry about the future or worry that know that worrying
Is as affective as trying to solve an algebra equation
By chewing bubble gum
The real troubles in your life are apt to be things
That never crossed your worried mind
The kind that blindsides you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday

Do one thing every day that scares you, sing
Don't be reckless with other peoples' hearts
Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours, floss
Don't waste your time on jealousy
Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind
The race is long and in the end, it's only with yourself

Remember compliments you receive, forget the insults
If you succeed in doing this, tell me how
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements, stretch
Don't feel guilty if you don't know what to do with your life

The most interesting people
I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives
Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't
Get plenty of calcium
Be kind to knees, you'll miss them when they're gone

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't
Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't
Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the "Funky Chicken"
On your 75th wedding anniversary
Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much
Or berate yourself either
Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else's

Enjoy your body, use it every way you can
Don't be afraid of it or what other people think of it
It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own, dance
Even if you have nowhere to do it but your own living room
Read the directions even if you don't follow them
Do not read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly

Brother and sister together will make it through
Someday a spirit will take you and guide you there
I know you've been hurting, but I've been waiting to be there for you
And I'll be there just helping you out, whenever I can

Get to know your parents, you never know when they'll be gone for good
Be nice to your siblings, they are your best link to your past
And the people most likely to stick with you in the future
Understand that friends come and go
But a precious few, who should hold on

Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle
For as the older you get, the more you need the people
You knew when you were young
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard
Live in northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft

Travel, accept certain inalienable truths
Prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old
And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young
Prices were reasonable, politicians were noble
And children respected their elders

Respect your elders, don't expect anyone else to support you
Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse
But you'll never know when either one will run out
Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're forty
It will look eighty-five
Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it

Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of
Wishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off
Painting over the ugly parts and recycling for more than it's worth
But trust me on changing the chain

mjjbuk

Thanks super_davo. I'm riding ultegra - this is my bike: https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/tcr-advanced-2-2012 - its 10 speed as far as I'm aware.

super_davo wrote:

What groupset is it? I'm presuming it will be 10 speed as most 11 speed cassettes start at 11.

If Shimano (or SRAM) 10 speed, there is a Tiagra 12-28 cassette which will cost about £20. You shouldn't need to change your mech but you might need a longer chain; try it first as you might be OK as is.

If that's not enough, there is a 12-30 Ultegra which may work with a short cage mech (be pushing it) and if that's still not enough then Shimano now make up to an 11-34! Though that would almost certainly need a long cage mech as well, and by the time you're doing that, you might as well pick up a compact chainset.

If Campag there are similar ratios, I think there is a 12-29 - they are just miles more expensive!

sandyballs

Carbonator wrote:

Ladies and gentlemen of the class of 2017........... change the chain
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, changing the chain would be it
The long term benefits of changing the chain have been proved by scientists

It's a little early for that much wine, even on a Saturday.

mjjbuk

Thanks oxoman!

oxoman wrote:

You can change the ratio on your rear cassette for a 12 to 28 or 32 depending on what derailieur is fitted and lengthening or replacing the chain. You could possibly change how many gears you have but you would have to replace the shifters. Another option is to replace the front crankset from existing to a compact set. How many gears you have on the cassette also has an effect on availability as well.

mjjbuk

That's some convincing argument

Carbonator wrote:

Ladies and gentlemen of the class of 2017........... change the chain
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, changing the chain would be it
The long term benefits of changing the chain have been proved by scientists
Whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable
Than my own meandering experience, I will dispense this advice now

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth, oh, never mind
You will never understand the power