11-25 cassette for Lakes road ride

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This topic has 15 replies, 14 voices, and was last updated 8 years ago by bjj.andy.w.

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11-25 cassette for Lakes road ride
Flaperon
Full Member

Big ride planned around the Lakes next week, at the moment on 11-25 cassette on the gnaarmac bike. Felt a bit undergeared in the past, will I notice a difference sticking an 11-28 replacement cassette on?

Can’t go bigger than 11-28; not going to buy a new Di2 rear mech as well. Apparently this route includes Hardknott pass, not quite at Chris Froome fitness this year and believe performance enhancing drugs are now frowned upon.

Will I die etc

Posted 8 years ago

whatnobeer
Free Member

I did the Fred Whitton on a compact with an 11-25 out back and got around OK, I wasn’t fast, but had hardly done any training. A bigger gear on the cassette would of been nice, but it’s not essential.

Posted 8 years ago

Junkyard
Free Member

you wont die – well we all will but not due to incorrect gearing
You will notice but not by much up Hardknott
Fit your walking shoes

Posted 8 years ago

tomkerton
Free Member

Do it, put the 28 on. It’s ‘kin steep up Hardknott. You’ll thank me.

Posted 8 years ago

jam-bo
Full Member

Hardknott will hurt whatever you fit.

Posted 8 years ago

mboy
Free Member

A 28 will give you roughly a 12% easier gear.

Only you will know if 12% will make enough difference or not.

Personally, a 28 is smaller than I’d run, but then I’m a spinner not a grinder.

Posted 8 years ago

tang
Free Member

Lindarets road link and you can go 36 or 40 on a short road mech! I’ve just put one on the 1×10 crosser for some Wales unpaved action.

Posted 8 years ago

butcher
Full Member

Standard chainset or compact? Either way, go as big as you can. Hardnott is steep all the way up. Not unmanageable in itself. But when you combine it with all the other big climbs before and after….depending on your route of course, it might well near kill you. I don’t think the comments about taking your walking shoes are entirely tongue in cheek…

Posted 8 years ago

smuttiesmith
Free Member

Go with the 28.

If you are on 10 speed Di2 you can run a 12-30 Cassette no problem. I have been doing for a while.

Life long Lake District resident, roadie for 24 years and serial Whitton rider.

Other opinions are available

Posted 8 years ago

Yet1man
Full Member

Posted 8 years ago

crazy-legs
Full Member

I’ve seen Hardknott done on a 39:25 and it wasn’t pretty. I think the rider had a cadence down in single figures.
Every time I’ve ridden it I’ve specifically used the CX bike with slick tyres – and I’m someone who actually likes climbing!

I did the FW again this year and used a 34:36 low gear! I’ve done it on 34:28 and 34:30 as well.

Posted 8 years ago

onandon
Free Member

Worth it as a bail out gear.12 / 28 cassettes are on special at crc.

Posted 8 years ago

jam-bo
Full Member

34:32 for me on the FW this year. Hardest climb I’ve done, especially with 95 miles in your legs already.

Posted 8 years ago

bikebouy
Free Member

I’ve done it on 36:28, hard like you’d expect but doable with out of the saddle grinds..

You do know it’s in the rules to go flat chat all the way up then vomit??

Page 8, para 5, line 16…

Grow some, have fun 😀

Posted 8 years ago

jonba
Free Member

Ridden all the climbs on the FW route with 34:25. Was hard, would have taken an easier gear if available at the time. Probably would have struggled in the wet too.

If you can do, you can always not use it – no one should care what gear you are riding.

Posted 8 years ago

bjj.andy.w
Free Member

It depends. How big of a ride and Hardknott at what mileage ? If under 100, Hardknott early on, It’ll be hard, you’ll cuss and curse but it’ll be doable.
(If your fitness is up there obviously)

Posted 8 years ago