Cassette Ratio help

[Dr Imran T]

Hello chaps

I am in need of a new cassette for my hybrid bike. However I am not sure on what is the best set of rations to opt for?

Chain rings are 48/34. I live in a very hilly area and frequently go up hills ranging from 14-20%.

I cycle on the road and do not venture off road at all.

Could anyone suggest what I should be looking at?



Thanks.

[ewenm]

What have you got at the moment and how do you get on with the ratios?

[BliarOut]

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/

You can input your current stuff and what you want and see how it will compare.

[Dr Imran T]

Current set up is:

Chainring - 48/38/28

Cassette - 11-32T 8speed

I rarely use the lowest gears unless I am very tired and the hill is very steep.

Therefore I am switching over to a 48/34 chainring and a new cassette.

However, I am unsure of which ratio cassestte to go for.

Is that enough info?

[Rouleur]

A quick look around suggests that you'll struggle to find a decent cassette that has a bigger sprocket range than you've already got, plus anyway if you had a bigger spread the gaps between ratios would be huge.

One of these would do the trick http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sram-pg850-8-speed-cassett...

I reckon you'll learn to live without the granny ring, and anyway a 34/32 should get you up anything.

[itsnotarace]

Just stick with your existing cassette

[Dr Imran T]

Rouleur said:

A quick look around suggests that you'll struggle to find a decent cassette that has a bigger sprocket range than you've already got, plus anyway if you had a bigger spread the gaps between ratios would be huge.

One of these would do the trick http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sram-pg850-8-speed-cassett...

I reckon you'll learn to live without the granny ring, and anyway a 34/32 should get you up anything.

I see your point, I agree with regards to the 34 ring as well. Should be fine and I won't miss the 'granny' ring..

Is it not worth getting a 9 speed cassette then? they are cheap enough.

Can I not get a 9 speed cassete with a 'reasonable' spread of ratios?

[Dr Imran T]

this one?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sram-pg950-9-speed-cassett...

[Rouleur]

Do you have a 9-speed mech and shifter though?

[Dr Imran T]

^ yes I do.

[Rocksteadyeddie]

It probably depends how fit you are. A closer range cassette will be much better on the road - with closer gears being the obvious advantage - but a 34/26 is a reasonably large gear for 20% climbs of any length if you're not fit.

[Dr Imran T]

Chaps - after some research I think an 11-28 cassette is a good range to go for.

My chainrings are 48/34 thus I feel this way I will have 'enough' of a low gear to tackle some hills.

If I am on the 34 chainring and utilise the 28 cog on the cassette, how does that comapre to my current set up?

To recap, my current set is chainring 48/38/28 - cassette 11-32.

I need to ensure that there is a low enough gear as I live in a very hilly area.

I guess that the 34 ring and the 28 cassette is a good balance?

Thanks.

[Rocksteadyeddie]

Gear tables here: http://home.i1.net/~dwolfe/gerz/