Whats the largest cassette can i go? (roadbike)

[David Marshall]

@tombeej .. well described, yesterday i had ago at the Shova route, my word the hills are insane. 

You sure you didn't do it in reverse?

 

On the cassette 'though - Just try to get the spread right.  I mean don't just look at the biggest.  The 28/11 I have jumps from 24 to 28 wich is not nice.  I would prefer a 27 to 25 jump.  Some of the lady specific bikes come out with a 30 but i think they pair it with a medium cage RD.

[tombeej]

Actually the Shova is a forgiving route when you consider what else is out there. A nice rolling route without any real climbs to be honest. It follows the ridgeline down through Inchanga, Drummond, etc and sticks to very safe ground.

[Eugene]

I have a short cage and I am running a 28-12

[flyguysa]

Hill repeats, hill repeats, hill repeats... When I moved down here, I went 11-28, compact crank, etc...I found the 24 to be a really nice gear, but the 28 too easy. I'm running 11-26 with a standard crank and that gets me over any hill I've ridden in KZN. I've gone mid-compact, 11-25 on my other bike, I've found that's a great option for me as I was spinning out on a compact crank... And plenty of hill repeats......

[Maniax]

I rode a 12-27 cassette.  loved it. Made hill climbing leka.  Stupid LBS changed my cassette to a 11-26 with a service.  I cannot believe the difference that 1 tooth makes.  I'm suffering up hills now.

[Thomo]

You sure you didn't do it in reverse?

 

On the cassette 'though - Just try to get the spread right.  I mean don't just look at the biggest.  The 28/11 I have jumps from 24 to 28 wich is not nice.  I would prefer a 27 to 25 jump.  Some of the lady specific bikes come out with a 30 but i think they pair it with a medium cage RD.

 

Good point.

Looking for the biggest rear sprockect can upset the rest of the climbing gears that you are used too.

[DenzelM]

Guys

 

Yesterday i did a 35km ride which had a few hills, I road a 12-27... wow what a massive differance going up the hills, i did notice a drop in the speed in 12 gear so maybe an 11-28 could be the fix!..

 

Thanks for the all advice..

 

Regards 

[Paul Ruinaard]

get a compact crank plus an MTB cassette and a long cage MTB RD. That way you can run up to a 36 at the back and still have an 12 on the bottom.  Shifting is delicate though. Dont try and shift the largest drops cause the chain slack is enormous and can result in a chain drop.

 

BTW you cannot use MTB clutch RD's and Shimano 10 speed road shifters, the activation ratio is different. I am not sure about SRAM.

[Sepia]

I have a short cage and I am running a 28-12

Same here.  No probs.

[Ispeed_V]

Have a 11 - 28. Allows for a high cadence on the hills

 

Sit and spin

[Pieterg]

11-28 is the best in the world!!!