Allrounder Posted January 22, 2015 Posted January 22, 2015 Hi people Another question for my fellow hubbers who knows more than I do. My wife is tiny, round 1,5m in length and weights about 47 kg. She rides a fastback, but struggles uphill with the gear ratios (I think). It does not matter how much we ride, it doesn't seem to get better). She is not unfit and completed 3 Cape arguses with this bike. I believe that she will be able to improve her endurance, average and overall enjoyment of cycling if I can make things easier for her. What would be the best to change to make things easier? I was thinking of getting smaller blades on the crank, or mountain bike jockey and casettes at the back? What do you think? like always, any input will be appreciated!
Wannabe Posted January 22, 2015 Posted January 22, 2015 More info on the groupset currently on the bike will be usefull.9spd, 10spd, what ratios front / rear, etc.
shaper Posted January 22, 2015 Posted January 22, 2015 Go to a compact crank or even 3 blade crank (will need to change the shifter to suit) at front and bigger cassette at the back, you can now get 11-32 cassettes for road
Butterbean Posted January 22, 2015 Posted January 22, 2015 At 100kgs, I find I can take on almost Any hill with a 53/39 front and 11/28 cassette, or 50/34 front and 11/25 cassette.
venom1 Posted January 22, 2015 Posted January 22, 2015 Lighter Wheels, Compact Crank, 11/28 Cassette and Hill repeats that should point her in the right direction.
Allrounder Posted January 22, 2015 Author Posted January 22, 2015 Hi Sorry for the little detail It is 8 speed sora. Everything standard at back and front.Front blades is a 53 39 if i counted correctly. Not sure about the back but it is defiantly 8 speed.
Wannabe Posted January 22, 2015 Posted January 22, 2015 Yup, groupset upgrade will definately help.With a 10spd (or even better, 11spd) groupo you have more ratios to choose from.A compact 50/34 front and 11-28 at the back will have her climbing cliff faces (almost)
Allrounder Posted January 22, 2015 Author Posted January 22, 2015 Is the upgrades on her old bike worth it, or should I start looking for a newer 11 speed bike?
Allrounder Posted January 22, 2015 Author Posted January 22, 2015 Thanks for the help guys! I busy looking for the upgrades, looks like Im going 105.....
venom1 Posted January 22, 2015 Posted January 22, 2015 that's really an old bike. I would rather recommend getting the new 105 bike. It's a better value for money and long term solution. The new 105 11 speed is very highly recommend. Many great reviews.
Allrounder Posted January 22, 2015 Author Posted January 22, 2015 Cool. Then I would rather visit lbs later today and get some prices.... I see 10 speed 105 will run my pocket down for about 7.5k. It make sense to have a look at newer bikes.
linnega Posted January 22, 2015 Posted January 22, 2015 Cheapest option is to get a 13-26 8 speed cassette for the back. Like this from Wiggle:http://www.wiggle.com/shimano-hg50-8-speed-cassette-road/ Next upgrade is to a compact crankset. Sora works fine and there shouldn't be any hill in SA on the road that needs more than a 26 at the back.
Thomo Posted January 22, 2015 Posted January 22, 2015 Is the upgrades on her old bike worth it, or should I start looking for a newer 11 speed bike? What bike is it.?All the aforementioned will help, but possibly not as much you'd like if she's on an old battle tank.A new bike may be more costly, but if she enjoys her riding, it may be money well spent.Lighter frame and wheels + the better gear ratios.
Allrounder Posted January 22, 2015 Author Posted January 22, 2015 What bike is it.?All the aforementioned will help, but possibly not as much you'd like if she's on an old battle tank.A new bike may be more costly, but if she enjoys her riding, it may be money well spent.Lighter frame and wheels + the better gear ratios. It is a 9.5 kg schwinn fastback. One problem with upgrading is the size.... hahaha. We searched almost 3 months for the fastback. ill have to do my homework on the most cost effective way (weight of new bikes with better components vs only upgrades etc)
Cois Posted January 22, 2015 Posted January 22, 2015 to make it easy:http://brimages.bikeboardmedia.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/2011-shimano-xt-10speed-dynasys-cassette-weight04.jpg That 11t and so forth are the number of teeth on a cassette. Each "blade" should have a number like that stamped on it.
Allrounder Posted January 22, 2015 Author Posted January 22, 2015 to make it easy:http://brimages.bikeboardmedia.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/2011-shimano-xt-10speed-dynasys-cassette-weight04.jpg That 11t and so forth are the number of teeth on a cassette. Each "blade" should have a number like that stamped on it. aaaagh.... haven't noticed that before!!
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