Chainwheel size Q

[Evo-R]

Hi all

 

Can anybody pls explain to me whats the diff in size and why?

 

Eg. 52/39T  vs.  50/34T ect.

 

And Free wheel sizes

 

Eg. 12/23T  vs.  11/25T  ect.

 

Wich is better for what?(climbing,strinting)

[Speed Devil]

Hi Evo_R, welcome to the HUB

 

Firstly, it is a chainring or commonly known as a blade and not a chainwheel

 

Secondly it is a cassette and not a free wheel.

 

A 50/34 is a compact crank and is used more for hilly rides ie mountains....usually used by people that are not good climbers.

 

The same goes for an 12/25. It is a lower ratio, therefore easier for climbing

[Evo-R]

LOL my bad

 

What would you recomend i look at?Im very good at climbing but suck at sprinting!!

[Speed Devil]

Depens on your age etc.

 

When I stayed in Cape Town I had no hassles with a 53/39 on the front and 11/21 on the rear. Now that I've got a bit more sense I ride with an 11/23

[Evo-R]

So basicaly i need big gears on the front and small at the back(11/23) or big(12/25)?

 

O and im 24.and what ratio will give me more speed overall?

[Grayskull]

Well it all depends on you - your strengths

 

I recently changed from a 9 speed Tiagra to a 10 speed Ultegra groupo

Tiagra had a 39/52 and a 11-25

Ultegra has a 39/53 and a 11-23

I rode for the first time yesterday and was quite a change!

I think i might opt for a 11-25 cassette if I can swap out

 

On the Blade:

the higher the "high"number - the more speed you will get on the flat

the lower the "low" number the easier you will find the climbs

so a 39/52 vs a 39/53 - the 39/53 will be giver you a higher top end

while a 34/50 vs a 36/50 - the 34/50 will be easier for climbing

 

on the cassette the reverse applies

the more teeth the easier for climbing

so a 11-23 vs a 11/25 - the 11/25, the 25 tooth blade will make it easier on the climbs

 

i hope this is correct - im still learning meself

 

[Mudsimus]

Make it easy on yourself. Get a 53/39 - 11/23 and stop worrying. In 99% of SA races a 23 will be fine.

[Mudsimus]

 

O and im 24.and what ratio will give me more speed overall?

 

No ratio will give you more speed. A good conditioned cyclist will go faster on a 50 - 12 than a unfit one on a 55 - 11. The only things that will make you faster is training and doping.

[Evo-R]

Thanks for all the info!!!

 

One more thing....whats the diff between 9 speed and 10?Except for the fact that its got 1 extra gear.

[Velouria]

 

Thanks for all the info!!!

 

One more thing....whats the diff between 9 speed and 10?Except for the fact that its got 1 extra gear.

 

Ummm - I don't think there is a difference, apart from the extra gear.

 

Ahh - I got it - the difference is in your "show-offability". Nine speed is so last year (come to think of it, so is 10 speed). Eleven speed is the way go. Shows everyone you have more money than sense.