Ultegra 6800 - 30 or even a 32 cassette?

supermurph09

Hi

Currently running 34/28, but hoping to get an entry to the Fred Whitton so figure there is no harm in changing my gearing. Will a 12-30 or 12-32 fit with my existing setup? I would assume the 30 is ok, just not sure about a 32.

Thanks

davep1

I think I have 6800 (2016 vintage?) and went to an 11-32 fron an 11-28 when I did the Fred that year. The chainset is 52-36, and I had to get a long cage mech (according to the Wiggle) website, got the cassette mech and chain for about £100 in various sales.
I have to say, that wasn't enough for me for Hardknott and Wrynose after 95 miles, I had to join the walkers. If you are going to have a go at the Fred, I would say do at least 3 century rides (and I mean 100 miles, not km!) between now and May, and on top of that do as many hard steep hills as you can. If there aren't many killer hills near you, try getting up in the big ring.
We had glorious weather, possibly too good, with hot sunshine all day. Good luck!

supermurph09

DaveP1 wrote:

I think I have 6800 (2016 vintage?) and went to an 11-32 fron an 11-28 when I did the Fred that year. The chainset is 52-36, and I had to get a long cage mech (according to the Wiggle) website, got the cassette mech and chain for about £100 in various sales.
I have to say, that wasn't enough for me for Hardknott and Wrynose after 95 miles, I had to join the walkers. If you are going to have a go at the Fred, I would say do at least 3 century rides (and I mean 100 miles, not km!) between now and May, and on top of that do as many hard steep hills as you can. If there aren't many killer hills near you, try getting up in the big ring.
We had glorious weather, possibly too good, with hot sunshine all day. Good luck!

I've got some nice routes planned out (I live in the peak district so used to things like Riber, Bank Road etc) but I will have to work on my endurance as I normally do much shorter rides / races.

davep1

Supermurph09 wrote:

DaveP1 wrote:

I think I have 6800 (2016 vintage?) and went to an 11-32 fron an 11-28 when I did the Fred that year. The chainset is 52-36, and I had to get a long cage mech (according to the Wiggle) website, got the cassette mech and chain for about £100 in various sales.
I have to say, that wasn't enough for me for Hardknott and Wrynose after 95 miles, I had to join the walkers. If you are going to have a go at the Fred, I would say do at least 3 century rides (and I mean 100 miles, not km!) between now and May, and on top of that do as many hard steep hills as you can. If there aren't many killer hills near you, try getting up in the big ring.
We had glorious weather, possibly too good, with hot sunshine all day. Good luck!

I've got some nice routes planned out (I live in the peak district so used to things like Riber, Bank Road etc) but I will have to work on my endurance as I normally do much shorter rides / races.

Yeah, I made notes for myself after I did it, and I knew after about 45 miles it was going to be a toughie. I had done one century in April, but I need more than that. My suffer score was 630 on the Fred, only time I have bettered that was on a 27 hour Everesting!

john1967

What ever you do don't underestimate the climbs in the lake District.Just get the biggest stonking MTB cassette that you can get to fit and you won't regret it.

sloppyschleckonds

If you can get a long/ medium cage rear mech then get a 30 or 32.
I know some people say they can run a 30 or 32 on a short cage mech but is it really worth the risk of trashing your bike for the sake of a few pound?

If you are still struggling with Cat 3 climbs, get a coach or training plan.

mrb123

The new Ultegra has an 11-34 cassette option. Would probably work with a long cage 6800 rear derailleur I would imagine though I've not tried myself.

wavefront

Supermurph09 wrote:

Hi

Currently running 34/28, but hoping to get an entry to the Fred Whitton so figure there is no harm in changing my gearing. Will a 12-30 or 12-32 fit with my existing setup? I would assume the 30 is ok, just not sure about a 32.

Thanks

think you should be able to run a 30 fine with what you have, but also agree with a couple of others, fit a long cage and be safe in the knowledge it'll work perfectly. It gives you options of a 32 in the future for other events. One thing, do not under estimate the final ascent. It's the first time I've ever had to stop and take a breather on that climb, so make sure you pay attention to eating/drinking well and don't get carried away and blast up all the others. I'd say that's more important than gearing.

supermurph09

Cheers for the replies, to be honest i consider myself a good climber all I figured was that a 30 might be nice to have and just wanted to see if I needed anything other than the cassette. The “32” I just threw in there rather than asking again later, more for info than any major plan to use one.

Cheers

philbar72

I'm running a Di2 rear mech on one of the bikes. running 36x30 gives you a lower bottom gear than a 34-28, which should suffice if you are reasonably strong. haven't tried a 32. I think most short cage mechs would just about get away with a 32 but wouldn't say that's a long term fix.

chippyk

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

If you can get a long/ medium cage rear mech then get a 30 or 32.
I know some people say they can run a 30 or 32 on a short cage mech but is it really worth the risk of trashing your bike for the sake of a few pound?

If you are still struggling with Cat 3 climbs, get a coach or training plan.

I think it depends on the climb, I went up Teide which I think is a HC climb on Strava on a hired BMC with a 12-32, barely used the 32 and only stood up a few times. Hardknott and Wrynose have me on my arse.