Ratios for climbing - compact drive chain

[CVP]

I need your help fellow riders. It's time to rebuild my current road bike and I am selecting new gear ratios.

The original set up is 39/53 and 11/23. My riding is mainly rolling hills but I enjoy longer rides that are more monutainous and when I am back in the UK next year I hope to do more sportives both within the UK and wider afield in Europe.

I'm thinking of going compact with Shimano so 50/34 upfront and then the question I'd like your guidance on is the rear casette. Doing the maths on gear inches the 11-25 would appear to give me three lower ratios than my current setup without losing a lot at the top end. To be fair I don't think I have ever spun out on 53/11.

Question to the floor, if you do similar type rides what ratios are you guys using? Can I escape with 11-23 or is my thinking on the ball with 11-25. My preferred cadence is more Armstrong than Ullrich so am happy to lose a little on ultimate top speed to maintain a nice cadence climbing.

I will post pics of the rebuild once complete.

Cheers

Chris

[RRS_Staffs]

Im using 50/34 with an 11/23 on the back

I ride in the Peak mostly and am very happy with that set up
Winnats is a work out but as long as the gradients less than 15% its cool

I am not a Wiggins or Contador

Cheers

[CVP]

Cheers for the info. In the end I have specc'd the 11-25, not so much for the steepness of some of the hills and mountains I aim to climb but the length of some. I thought it best to have the additional ratio in the bag