I'm hovering over the 'buy' button for a replacement 12-25 105 cassette for my Jake, yet mindful of the occasional occasions over the last year with 36/46 front when I've struggled up steep climbs, both off- and sometimes (with a catastrophic headwind) on-road.
...But
That's what a cyclocross bike supposed to be all about, init? 😉
It's not supposed to be [i]easy[/i]! When it gets hard, it's simply time to shoulder and run in a manly-sort-of-mincing way.
Should I just stick with the 12-25 I'm used to, or move up a gear (or more, even?) to make life easier?
Will a standard length 10spd 105 rear mech cope with 12-27, or even 11-28?
How much 'close ratio' finesse will I lose with a wider cassette?
A real dilemma. That's for sure! 😯
11-28 assuming you are running a 39 inner front
[i]yet mindful of the occasional occasions over the last year with[b] 36/46 front[/b] when I've struggled up steep climbs[/i]
Yes a 105 mech will cope up to the 28.
Don't think the rear mech will cope with 11-28 unless it's the latest 5700 series. 12-27 will be fine and give you a useful lower gear without any massive gaps in ratios.
Sorry,should have read it all 😳
Would still go for the 11-28 though-rear mech will be fine
11-28 with a 38 tooth single ring. Sorted, plently of scope for off road climmbing and it'll teach you to spin when riding on the road.
Great - thanks! 12-27 cassette ordered now - best compromise for the moment methinks (I wouldn't want to be too radical!).
Another conundrum solved by the STW massive. 🙂