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So I've just bought a 2nd hand road bike with a 53/39 chainset and 12-23 cassette. I could just MTFU but first impressions suggest I need a lower bottom gear. Can I get a smaller chainring than 39t? It's a Tiagra HT2 chainset. Or would I be better off getting a 12-25 or 12-27 cassette?
buy a new compact chainset, or a new cassette or both.
Easiest solution would be train more and get fitter, failing that change your cassette or more expense go compact.I would suggest a combination of the first two, particularly more riding.
Smallest chainring you can fit on that chainset is 38T so not as much difference as switching to a 27T cassette.
I felt like I needed a lower bottom gear when I first got my road bike - got used to it though.
I put an MTB SLX casette on mine made loads of difference. Went on fine but the rear mech (Tiagra short) couldn't cope with it. That meant new rear mech (xt) and chain.
Might be interested in your old chainset if you decide to sell.
Easiest solution would be train more and get fitter
You couldn't be more wrong.
was gonna say mtfu or do some flatter rides until you get used to it but looking at your location i dont know if thats possible
if you go for a wider spacing cassette like a 12-27 then you might find the gears a bit far apart ratio wise, i went for a compact chainset for that reason. You may find you spin out on the downhills with a standard compact though.
Unless you aim on becoming a serious roadie, I'd just invest in a compact chainset.
You are basically running the same gears as the pros use on that bike. Are you a pro? If not change the cassette, maybe even consider a 13-29.
Not just pros run those gears Goan most decent club riders will run 53/39 12-25, 11-23 depending on the roads they ride. 13-29 seems a bit excessive imo.
most decent club riders will ride whatever the pros ride as it makes them feel better than everyone else
Depends where you ride doesn't it. I live in a hilly area. I use a compact and 13-29, suits me and my pedalling style just fine.
Not just pros run those gears Goan most decent club riders will run 53/39 12-25, 11-23 depending on the roads they ride. 13-29 seems a bit excessive imo.
Who is everyone else mrmichaelwright?
the clue is in the word [i]everyone[/i]
Disregard the ridiculous anti-compact nonsense and ride what suits your needs. If you live in a hilly area or want to spin through winter then fit a 25/27 at the back, or fit a compact chainset. Sure you could just man-up and gurn your way up the local 25% in a stupid gear but trust me, the novelty of that wears off.
I run a compact 34 on an 11-23 block and I get the odd snear from club roadies but so far I've dropped every rider to pass comment.
Ooer! the macho threads have started. The singlespeed boys will be on next.
As you live in a hilly area my advice would be to try a 12-27 first as it's the cheapest option. If you then feel the need for more lower gears you could add a compact on the front.
Thanks all!
26 will be ample. If you go too high with the spacing it'll nonce up your pace when you change.
The problem with a compact is that you'll be in the 50 all the time, unless you ride alone and don't mind twiddling uphills.
We all used to ride 42x21 and the world hasn't got any hillier.
Really not being macho or trying to be contensious ( well maybe a little 🙂 just pointing out that on most road club rides you will see many riders comfortably using 53/39 chainsets. It just sounds like mrmichaelwright has a bit of a chip on his shoulder if he feels riders are chosing their gearing to feel better than " everyone else" by which i assume he means him.
We all used to ride 42x21
That's because not much else existed back in the dark ages. Things have thankfully moved on 🙂
Ed2001 - did you leave your sense of humour on the club run this morning?
🙄
I used to run a standard double and a 11-23 set up round here but changed to a compact and 13-29 and am much faster for it. If you are spinning out going downhills then you're doing it wrong.
Clearly I have michael 🙂
Do that many UK racers compete on compacts?
When I got my first compact I loved it, but it showed it's weakness when the season started and I found myself off the back.
Though I am Central region and down here we get away with 53/39 23/25.
I also liked the idea of saving weight i.e small rings and small cassette, but whatever it didn't work out for me.
Gone back to 39 on both my road bikes and cross bike.
Oldgit - 39 on a cross bike thats most impressive! or really stupid! 🙂
Are you sure, I thought most 1x9's rode 42?
What are you using? you've got me concerned now. I was on 36 but I wanted to press on this season.
there's nothing wrong with going compact and, if you enjoy the steeps, then 12-27 as well.
50x12 should see you up to about 40-42mph ish - above that i tend not to mind being spun out.
i'm not that fast, but love having the lower gears. just wondering if i need a 34x28 for fred whitton next year...
oldgit - 36/48 with a massive 12/27 on the rear. I need all the help I can get when cross racing. You must be a racing god!
Do that many UK racers compete on compacts?
Probably not, but very few normal people need to use the same gearing as top racers.
sockpuppet - i would go for that, it keeps the lactate away for a lot longer.
Love the way folk go all "MTFU" when they don't know where this bloke rides, or how fit he is or whatever...
Compacts are grand
ive just finished my sponsored ride and have been worrying about some of the climbs , i kept meaning to get a triple but it never worked out just done it on 39/53 on 12/25
it was bloody hard and id have liked a triple but not a compact at all i hate the drop on the compact i found myself constantly on the 50 ring til it was too late as the 34 was just too low for riding around on unless it was big hills
i still quite fancy a triple but would rather struggle than use a compact and thats nothing to do with being macho, as shown by my fondness to triples i just dont get on with compacts . that said i use one on my cx but i tend to use that as an mtb where i leave it on the big ring for road and the little for offroad but thats just odd lol
Fit a triple.
yeah id go triple if youve 105 or ultegra i think they are triple compatible so that will save some cash for the swap
To the O.P.
I have a 11-25 with 53/39. I was stunned at m first hill on the ratio!
Been off for a while and getting back after injury I was able to keep up for a while with a friend with 34-11 till I bonk'd.
12-23 is quite tough with a double chainring!
I would go for the 11-25 or 12-25 (unless there are mega hills 12-27). You will adapt to the 25 but my pals shoot up hills with a 27.
Whats your goal? fun road rides? go for the 12-27.
Improve fitness? 11/12-25 cassette.
Just look after your knees and warm up well before attacking hills Lance 😉
My first hill climb was hell-I walked most of it. Just keep attacking till you get to the top with stopping. Keep an eye on your watch and beat the time on your next ride. Allow recovery days too. Supplement and joint aids will help.
Pretty soon you will be hammering hills.
"oldgit - 36/48 with a massive 12/27 on the rear. I need all the help I can get when cross racing. You must be a racing god"
No I'm an old bloke having a go. I'll be on 39/46, I might buy a 27 for the cross.
I have gone from a 36, and I looked at lots of online info and certainly got the impression that either 38 or 39 would be OK. I also know all the courses I'll riding apart from Blenheim Palace.
I don't know if this matters, but I run xc, so I'll always run the short sharp stuff.
And I'm rubbish at spinning, probably why compact didn't suit me either.
When I got my first compact I loved it, but it showed it's weakness when the season started and I found myself off the back.
Off the back for what reason? Not a high enough top gear (in which case put an 11 up cassette on - though I'd point out that as well as all surviving with a 42-21 bottom, we also survived with a 52-13 top) or some other strange reason?
Nah, stick with it James.
I felt that, & still do when the kids trailer is on the back.