9s to 10s Gearing?

CAnd3tribike
CAnd3tribike Posts: 4
edited February 2019 in Road buying advice
Current setup is 50/34 and a 12-26 from a 2014 CAAD8. I love the bike too much, plus I'm still in school. I'm usually in the 19T or 17T cog in the back with no issue in the busy Houston,TX streets. I rode up some hillier areas last year and struggled a bit on the 26T. I plan on bringing the bike to Colorado this summer and know I'd have to go lower and get stronger too. So I have 2 questions:

1) Would a 28 suffice or go even lower to 30 or even 32 :shock: ? A new cassette and chain would be the least expensive option, as long as I don't give up the 17 and 19.
2) Would upgrading to 10s be overkill just for another gear to get me through summer riding? Bike is on a 10s hub and I like the cleaner look of shift cables under the bar tape too.

Comments

  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    As you say option 1 is the most economical way to go, 30 or 32 if you think you need it on bigger hills, not a massive difference IME between 26 & 28. Before you buy make sure your rear derailleur can cope with the bigger cogs.
    The Shimano HG 9 speed 11/32 has the 17 & 19 cogs you want to retain.
  • CAnd3tribike
    CAnd3tribike Posts: 4
    diamonddog wrote:
    As you say option 1 is the most economical way to go, 30 or 32 if you think you need it on bigger hills, not a massive difference IME between 26 & 28. Before you buy make sure your rear derailleur can cope with the bigger cogs.
    The Shimano HG 9 speed 11/32 has the 17 & 19 cogs you want to retain.

    When reading Shimano’s specs, it’s says the short cage can handle the 32. Doesn’t seem right and doesn’t look possible, but I’ll trust their page. Thanks for the input.
  • svetty
    svetty Posts: 1,904
    You don't say which 9spd groupset you have but you will need a long cage rear derailleur for anything over a 27 sprocket.
    FFS! Harden up and grow a pair :D
  • raisinberry777
    raisinberry777 Posts: 141
    Svetty wrote:
    You don't say which 9spd groupset you have but you will need a long cage rear derailleur for anything over a 27 sprocket.

    The 2014 CAAD8 Sora came with Sora 9 speed.

    Specs for the RD are here:

    https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/ ... 00-SS.html

    It will take an 11-32 cassette. They call it a short cage but it's more like a medium in reality.
  • CAnd3tribike
    CAnd3tribike Posts: 4
    raisinberry777 wrote:
    Svetty wrote:
    You don't say which 9spd groupset you have but you will need a long cage rear derailleur for anything over a 27 sprocket.

    The 2014 CAAD8 Sora came with Sora 9 speed.

    Specs for the RD are here:

    https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/ ... 00-SS.html

    It will take an 11-32 cassette. They call it a short cage but it's more like a medium in reality.

    Sorry, I should have clarified, but that’s the bike and rear mech. After a new fit, I’m switching to 165mm cranks and decided to make a few more changes to last me another few years until I’m done with school. I think I’ve decided to stick with the 9s. 10s isn’t worth the upgrade and is almost as outdated now too. Thanks for the responses.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    CAnd3tribike wrote:
    diamonddog wrote:
    When reading Shimano’s specs, it says the short cage can handle the 32. Doesn’t seem right and doesn’t look possible, but I’ll trust their page. Thanks for the input.
    Cage length affects capacity and has NOTHING to do with the maximum sprocket size it can cope with which is related to the upper jockey wheel location relative to the mounting.

    For capacity its max sprocket-min sprocket (11-32=21) plus largest chainring-smallest (50-34=16) so (21+16=37). The Sora has a capacity of 37 so you're good to go but you must get the chain size right, too long a chain and it will go slack on small/small although you shouldn't ride that anyway.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    The Rookie wrote:
    CAnd3tribike wrote:
    diamonddog wrote:
    When reading Shimano’s specs, it says the short cage can handle the 32. Doesn’t seem right and doesn’t look possible, but I’ll trust their page. Thanks for the input.
    Cage length affects capacity and has NOTHING to do with the maximum sprocket size it can cope with which is related to the upper jockey wheel location relative to the mounting.

    For capacity its max sprocket-min sprocket (11-32=21) plus largest chainring-smallest (50-34=16) so (21+16=37). The Sora has a capacity of 37 so you're good to go but you must get the chain size right, too long a chain and it will go slack on small/small although you shouldn't ride that anyway.

    That is not my reply you are quoting it is the OP’s response.

    On the Shimano site it states the Sora R3000 SS derailleur takes a maximum 32 tooth and the R3000 GS takes a 34 maximum.

Categories