What is biggest gear on a roadbike cassette?

[Willehond]

What is the biggest cassette/gear you can fit on a roadbike without affecting shifting?  9 and 10-speed.

 

I have an 11-26, but will a 12-28 work?  What about anything bigger (like an mtb cluster 11-32 for instance on 9-speed bike)?

 

[BMCfan]

and there i thought there werent any hills in holland ;-)

[Guest Big H]

What is the biggest cassette/gear you can fit on a roadbike without affecting shifting?  9 and 10-speed.

 

I have an 11-26' date=' but will a 12-28 work?  What about anything bigger (like an mtb cluster 11-32 for instance on 9-speed bike)?

 

[/quote']

We have used a 12-32 cassette on the Tandem when we did our first Kremetart. It work..... nine speed drivetrain. I also had a 12-25 cassette where I left out one of the middle gears and added a 27 tooth gear. Also nine speed. We use a XT rear derraileur with a long cage.

[Willehond]

and there i thought there werent any hills in holland ;-)

Rode in Limburg over the weekend (look it up it's in Holland!) and suffered up 14% 'heuvels'.  Believe me, you can do with the extra tooth or two...

[Willehond]

What is the biggest cassette/gear you can fit on a roadbike without affecting shifting?  9 and 10-speed.

 

I have an 11-26' date=' but will a 12-28 work?  What about anything bigger (like an mtb cluster 11-32 for instance on 9-speed bike)?

 

[/quote']

We have used a 12-32 cassette on the Tandem when we did our first Kremetart. It work..... nine speed drivetrain. I also had a 12-25 cassette where I left out one of the middle gears and added a 27 tooth gear. Also nine speed. We use a XT rear derraileur with a long cage.

Thanks Big H, my training bike needs a new cluster (also 9-speed), so I might go for the 12-28.  Looks like it's well within range! (unfortunately I have a 105 RD, not XT...)

Willehond2009-09-18 03:08:38

[JA-Q001]

Most derailleurs have a indication of the gear range it can accommodate, It would be a number like 16 or something. E.g if you start on a 11, then 11 + 16 = 27. That would then be the biggest gear you can fit with the RD without having shifting and chain length problems.

[AndreZA]

If you go bigger then I think 27, you will need a different derailleur. Camp Magnolia makes a 13-29 10spd but you will need a medium cage derailleur.

[levett]

I use a 11-27 on mine.

 

I think the only issue is that you will need to go to a 'long case' (i.e. for tripple triple front) rear derailleur.

 

Whether you can use a MTB cassette depends on whether you are 9-speed road, or 10-speed road

[Willehond]

Hmmm, suddenly it all sounds complicated.  I guess I need to look at a longer chain as well?

[javadude]

You don't have to go for the long cage derailleur, you just wont be able to cross chain your gears as much. 

[SwissVan]

Hmmm' date=' suddenly it all sounds complicated.  I guess I need to look at a longer chain as well?[/quote']

 

Compact it - then you can shorten your chain and come n ride in Switzerland.

 

14% Pffft ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sterad]

Should be able to run a 28 no problem, I do with my standard derailler. Should even be able to run up to a 30, but then perhaps put in an extra chain link, as long as your chain is not too long and catches on the bottom of your derailler when in the smallest gear at the back and in front.

[Willehond]

Hmmm' date=' suddenly it all sounds complicated.  I guess I need to look at a longer chain as well?[/quote']

 

Compact it - then you can shorten your chain and come n ride in Switzerland.

 

14% Pffft ...

 

 

Economic crises boet, I have to do it on a budget! 14% hurts, but then again, you probably ride a tripple!!! Girl...

[Willehond]

Should be able to run a 28 no problem' date=' I do with my standard derailler. Should even be able to run up to a 30, but then perhaps put in an extra chain link, as long as your chain is not too long and catches on the bottom of your derailler when in the smallest gear at the back and in front.[/quote']

Thanks for the reply, that's great advice.  Just what I was looking for. 12-28 it is then.