Change to 32 tooth cassette

craigus89

Got a new bike for the Mrs end of last year which is a semi-compact and 28T rear cassette. She needs a bit at the high end so I'm just about to order a 32T cassette and long cage 6800 Ultegra rear derailleur.

Question is, will I need a longer chain too?

Thanks.

svetty

Chances are you'd get away with the 32 tooth on a standard rear mech in most instances. Suggest you fit it and see - you might need an extra link if she is going to be cross-chaining from the 52 to the 32.

Assuming the chainset is 6800 as well you might try just changing the chain-rings to 50/34........

craigus89

She doesn't make a habit of cross-chaining from what I've seen riding with her, might just get the cassette first and see how things look.

The crankset is a carbon FSA jobby which is actually bloody expensive and from what I've read quite light so hoping she can stick with it. Haven't been able to source any chain-rings though as that was my first thought.

slowbike

I've just put a 32 cassette on a 105-10speed bike - swapped over the shortcage rear mech for a medium cage - wound up the screw and checked chain length - which is all ok.
If you need extra chain then, assuming she hasn't over stretched the current one too much - it'll be fine just to add a couple of links off another chain which you've shortened using quicklinks ... well - that's what I did anyway

Sutton_Rider

Take the guess work out of it: http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-hel ... -section-6

MarkOneToo

Slowbike wrote:

I've just put a 32 cassette on a 105-10speed bike... all ok.

Do you also have a semi compact 52/36? I'm in the process of doing the same, but 11-speed as per the op (I presume) .. Seems uncommon!

The Rookie

I wouldn't risk the chain being too short, the damage it can do can be pretty expensive (new mech, new hanger, damaged frame (even if only paint) and some trashed spokes........at most it's a pair of links.