What parts do I need? Technically challenged cyclist

[kiethton]

Been having some issues with my bianchi (2011 via nirone) mainly around the chain and gearings, with a need to get in shape ahead of the ride 100 I need to get it sorted.

Had the bike over 3 years, averaging ~2.5k miles a year with only basic maintenance.

Last time I rode it properly I had to give up as the chain kept on coming off the top gear when pressing on (5 spins and it's fall off again). Chain and all gear mechs etc. are original and look pretty worn. After adjustment (I've cocked this up) I've mis adjusted the systems, loosing the top gears leaving me spinning out easily on the flat...but it no longer comes off.

Given even when I had full range I would often need an extra get or 2 up top as I wanted to go faster but don't have enough choice. Seems like the best time to replace my well worn cassette given the current issues.

Think the current one is a 12/25 and 50/34 compact with shimano cables/levers from googling, what should I look at? Think I might as well do a full refresh, so front, back and chain. What combination would give me the best set-up, I know nothing about this sort of thing...

Think I'm pretty fit (although fat - 15-19 stone depending on diet cycle and an ex rugby/judo guy), commute into London (City) averaging +15mph, did L2B in <3 hours on the same bike last year, all according to strava so happy to take ratios that I need to improve myself for/will push me, I just have no idea what kit, ratios, brands, sizes etc. that I'll need...

[HughG]

I'd go semi-compact 36-52 and stick with your current cassette ratios (but if the cassette has done 7.5k miles swap it). Change the entire lot to avoid prematurely wearing a new component

I'd suggest Shimano Tiagra of 105 depending how much you want to spend. Probably worth changing cables and outers and getting it all properly setup at the same time.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Depends on how much you want to spend, I'd just get it serviced at a decent LBS and put a cassette on 25/11 if they have it, the 11 will give you more speed top end

[kiethton]

Thanks for that, will do....

Budget is as low as possible to get decent kit (not cheap not premium etc.)

[kiethton]

Thanks for that, will do....

Budget is as low as possible to get decent kit (not cheap not premium etc.)

[Daveyraveygravey]

Think you'll need to speak to a shop, does sound like your whole drive train is cooked. Probably cables too. Your bike is probably 9 speed, should be able to go to 10 speed without having to,change too much else, but 11 speed may,need a new wheel or other gubbins to,work.
I just got a 52-36 it's a great compromise. Hills on Ridelondon aren't too tough so depending on which crankset you get, work your cassette around that.

[Pachydermus]

I've just replaced my 2008 via nirone with a 2014 as the old frame let go. Both are 10 speed. Chain rings should still be fine on yours so should just need a new chain and cassette, cables and adjustment.
Unless you're racing then there really is no need to change from a compact. A 50/11 will give you a higher top speed than a 53/12 with the advantage being that a 34/25 is better for us fat b*st*rds than a 39/25.
I ride in to London from Bromley so if you see a fat old bloke on a via nirone say hi :-)
(and will also be doing ride london... just 10 weeks to go)

[kiethton]

Pachydermus said:

I've just replaced my 2008 via nirone with a 2014 as the old frame let go. Both are 10 speed. Chain rings should still be fine on yours so should just need a new chain and cassette, cables and adjustment.
Unless you're racing then there really is no need to change from a compact. A 50/11 will give you a higher top speed than a 53/12 with the advantage being that a 34/25 is better for us fat b*st*rds than a 39/25.
I ride in to London from Bromley so if you see a fat old bloke on a via nirone say hi :-)
(and will also be doing ride london... just 10 weeks to go)

Oh cool, may do as I'm Orpington although my working hours limit my cycling, leaving the house at 5am and back for 10pm after nearly an hour each way gives me a rather long working day, often can't even bring myself to get out of bed in the mornings - part of the reason for the spare tyres I'm carrying!

[paulmon]

kiethton said:

Been having some issues with my bianchi (2011 via nirone) mainly around the chain and gearings, with a need to get in shape ahead of the ride 100 I need to get it sorted.

Given even when I had full range I would often need an extra get or 2 up top as I wanted to go faster but don't have enough choice. Seems like the best time to replace my well worn cassette given the current issues.

If you can regularly spin out 50/12 on the flat then you don't need to buy a groupset as you'll get sponsored and be given one . I suspect you just need new cables, chain, cassette and a friendly LBS to fit and set it all up for you.

[yellowjack]

paulmon said:

If you can regularly spin out 50/12 on the flat then you don't need to buy a groupset as you'll get sponsored and be given one . I suspect you just need new cables, chain, cassette and a friendly LBS to fit and set it all up for you.

I was 'spinning out' just last night on 50/11. I was flat out downhill, though. Somewhere in the Surrey Hills (I think the descent off Ranmore Common). Garmin had me holding 40+ mph, Strava gives me a peak speed of 52.8mph.

I'd love to go faster on the flat, but it certainly isn't my gearing that is holding me back there. Higher cadence, more 'power' and the ability to go "all ahead full" for longer would all help, but I'm a million miles away from needing a 'standard' chainset to go faster. Proper training, with specific goals would probably help, but I enjoy riding too much to spoil it by focussing too closely on 'objectives'.

[Dizeee]

yellowjack said:

I was 'spinning out' just last night on 50/11. I was flat out downhill, though. Somewhere in the Surrey Hills (I think the descent off Ranmore Common). Garmin had me holding 40+ mph, Strava gives me a peak speed of 52.8mph.

I'd love to go faster on the flat, but it certainly isn't my gearing that is holding me back there. Higher cadence, more 'power' and the ability to go "all ahead full" for longer would all help, but I'm a million miles away from needing a 'standard' chainset to go faster. Proper training, with specific goals would probably help, but I enjoy riding too much to spoil it by focussing too closely on 'objectives'.

I've had to do Ranmore around 4 times in the last month on club runs and I hate it. No surprise at your speed, and 40+ down there is easy.

It's just one of those down hills that your either in or your out. For me I just always think about it going wrong and I can't think of any other downhill that has the same effect. Maybe it's the stone wall to the left, or the constant blind turns, or maybe the false rubble that is actually soldified grit - I don't know. I just know that I always brake down there which is not something I usually do. And I always have a bad feeling. Weird.