Cassette swap advice
Discussion
Guys,
My Boardman ProC comes with an Ultegra 6800 drivetrain - a dinner-plate sized crank (53T) and an 11-25 cassette at the back.
I do struggle on hills... I got up Ditchling Beacon with no problem, but there was a section on the Buttertubs climb where I just couldn't go on.
Also, on my regular rides around fairly flat leafy Berkshire, im working on my cadence, and I find im pretty much always in the low half of the cassette, only going to the smallest cogs for downhill sections...
So, anything stopping me fitting a bigger rear cassette, so that im using more of it and have some more options for hills?
If not, should I plump for 11-28, or go large with 11-32 (or is that only for Alpine cyclists?)
I appreciate I should MTFU, and I am trying...
Not sure what size cage the rear derailleur is - but heres the bike:
http://www.boardmanbikes.com/images/xl_images_2/Bo...
My Boardman ProC comes with an Ultegra 6800 drivetrain - a dinner-plate sized crank (53T) and an 11-25 cassette at the back.
I do struggle on hills... I got up Ditchling Beacon with no problem, but there was a section on the Buttertubs climb where I just couldn't go on.
Also, on my regular rides around fairly flat leafy Berkshire, im working on my cadence, and I find im pretty much always in the low half of the cassette, only going to the smallest cogs for downhill sections...
So, anything stopping me fitting a bigger rear cassette, so that im using more of it and have some more options for hills?
If not, should I plump for 11-28, or go large with 11-32 (or is that only for Alpine cyclists?)
I appreciate I should MTFU, and I am trying...
Not sure what size cage the rear derailleur is - but heres the bike:
http://www.boardmanbikes.com/images/xl_images_2/Bo...
11-28 and you can keep your existing rear mech (and you may need a longer chain).
11-32 and you'll need a long-cage rear mech (and a new chain).
I'm not kidding about the chain btw - too short and it can, under load, pull the mech sideways into the wheel, which can break the chainstay whilst it destroys the wheel, the mech, the chain etc.
If I were you I'd get the 11-28, then if you wanted a lower gear I'd swap from 53/39 to 52/36.
11-32 and you'll need a long-cage rear mech (and a new chain).
I'm not kidding about the chain btw - too short and it can, under load, pull the mech sideways into the wheel, which can break the chainstay whilst it destroys the wheel, the mech, the chain etc.
If I were you I'd get the 11-28, then if you wanted a lower gear I'd swap from 53/39 to 52/36.
Opting for an 11-XX cassette will give you 53-11, which you're rarely - if ever - need outside of a TDF sprint finish or an alpine descent. It'd deprive you of a gear that could be better used elsewhere, and given the lower gearing at t' other end of the cassette, will result in chasms between each gear. Find a 12-27 (available in Ultegra, IIRC) and see how that goes.
Used to be, not really anymore with the advent of 11 speed - now the 11-28 is basically a 10 speed 11-25 with it's nicely stacked ratios, with a 28 "bailout" sprocket on the end.
11-28: 11-12-13-14-15-17-19-21-23-25-28
I'd say the 11-28 is a really nicely judged, do-it-all cassette, I've got them on the race bikes with a 53/59 on one (UK) and a 52/36 (Alps and proper mountains) on the other.
11-28: 11-12-13-14-15-17-19-21-23-25-28
I'd say the 11-28 is a really nicely judged, do-it-all cassette, I've got them on the race bikes with a 53/59 on one (UK) and a 52/36 (Alps and proper mountains) on the other.
Dammit said:
If I were you I'd get the 11-28, then if you wanted a lower gear I'd swap from 53/39 to 52/36.
Cheers guys - i'll order up a 11-28 then and see how I get on. But its a shame - reading up the specs, its only the two largest sprockets that are different. I suppose I would have preferred a cassette that starts with a 12 so that im using more of the full spread of the cassette on an average ride.But, maybe one day I will fit a compact chainset then.
Jimbo - I don't think 6800 offered a 12-27 (just a 12-25) - weren't older Ultegra sets 10-speed?
And Davey - just to be clear, Ditching was on the 39 ring at the front, not the 53! My thighs aren't that beefy!
The Ultegra 6800 is 11 speed and 4 bolt pcd so you can swap the front chainrings for a compact set this will drop the ratio throughout the full range and an easy swop back, best to have two chains as you will need two different lengths.
chainrings http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-ultegra...
chainrings http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-ultegra...
The Ultegra 6800 is 11 speed and 4 bolt pcd so you can swap the front chainrings for a compact set this will drop the ratio throughout the full range and an easy swop back, best to have two chains as you will need two different lengths.
chainrings http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-ultegra...
chainrings http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-ultegra...
agentnomad said:
The Ultegra 6800 is 11 speed and 4 bolt pcd so you can swap the front chainrings for a compact set this will drop the ratio throughout the full range and an easy swop back, best to have two chains as you will need two different lengths.
chainrings http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-ultegra...
Good idea - I'll see what difference the cassette makes first, but I had a compact on my old road bike and I do remember it being much easier work. Cheers all.chainrings http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-ultegra...
Have a look at some gear charts first
http://www.bikecalc.com/gear_ratios there plenty of others as well
http://www.bikecalc.com/gear_ratios there plenty of others as well
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