What gear ratio would be best?

[Ncayi]

Greetings Hubbers

I will be relocating to the South of Gauteng (Vaal Triangle) and I have a 2 part question I need some help with.

The move coincides with me having to refresh my drive train. I am currently running a 50-34 and 11-28 combination, which has worked well for the terrain in Cape Town. However, this combination has resulted in me wearing down my big blade very quickly as I mostly ride on it. As a result of this context, I am considering changing my gear ratios to the following:

Option 1: 52-36 paired with an 11-28

Option 2: 53-39 paired with an 11-34 or 11-32

I am just north of 100 kg (yep I am a unit) and have an FTP that is just shy of 300w just to give you an idea of the mass I need to move and the resources I have available. 

1. What would work best for the generally flat terrain I will mostly be riding on? 

2. How easy is it to change the name on a Shimano crank arm? And can an R7000  left crank arm work with an R8000 crankset? 

Edited October 27, 2022 by Ncayi

[David Marshall]

52/36 will work with a 28/11. Your rear derailleur would need to be medium cage to go bigger than 28.

With the compact 50T you will change chain rings sooner than with a larger ring. Plus side is that your cassette will last longer.

On the crank arm it will fit. Make sure the length is right. 

[Thomo]

52/36 ... that way you won't need to change when you come and ride the Cycle Tour. 😊

[splat]

18 hours ago, Ncayi said:

Greetings Hubbers

I will be relocating to the South of Gauteng (Vaal Triangle) and I have a 2 part question I need some help with.

The move coincides with me having to refresh my drive train. I am currently running a 50-34 and 11-28 combination, which has worked well for the terrain in Cape Town. However, this combination has resulted in me wearing down my big blade very quickly as I mostly ride on it. As a result of this context, I am considering changing my gear ratios to the following:

Option 1: 52-36 paired with an 11-28

Option 2: 53-29 paired with an 11-34 or 11-32

I am just north of 100 kg (yep I am a unit) and have an FTP that is just shy of 300w just to give you an idea of the mass I need to move and the resources I have available. 

1. What would work best for the generally flat terrain I will mostly be riding on? 

2. How easy is it to change the name on a Shimano crank arm? And can an R7000  left crank arm work with an R8000 crankset? 

You will be fine with either 52-36 or 53-39 chainrings with the 11-28.
If its really flat where you are, get the bigger rings. I have the semi-compact with that cassette and thing its great (here in Cape Town).
Your choice may be influenced by availability.
As David says, you will probably have to change your rear mech if you go bigger than that cassette (depending on what you have on your bike now).

I currently have an R7000 crank with Stages on my R8000 crankset - no problems there.

[Ncayi]

10 minutes ago, Thomo said:

52/36 ... that way you won't need to change when you come and ride the Cycle Tour. 😊

That's a fair point. 

5 minutes ago, splat said:

You will be fine with either 52-36 or 53-39 chainrings with the 11-28.
If its really flat where you are, get the bigger rings. I have the semi-compact with that cassette and thing its great (here in Cape Town).
Your choice may be influenced by availability.
As David says, you will probably have to change your rear mech if you go bigger than that cassette (depending on what you have on your bike now).

I currently have an R7000 crank with Stages on my R8000 crankset - no problems there.

Thanks! I discovered that the rings are interchangeable across the range. So I'll probably start with the 52-36 combination, just so I dont play myself. I can just increase it later if it's to light. 

I'm also running a R7000 powermeter so I'm glad there are no compatability issues with R8000.