which ratio is better ...11-25 or 12-25

[MTB_Roadie]

Nope, didnt change my derailleur cage. It all comes down to your style of riding and VO2 fitness. If you race at an average cadance of 85-95, then the lighter gears keep you at that cadence over most hills, without having to stand up and waste energy. If you prefer a cadence of 75, then the heavy gearing is what you will be used to.

The higher your VO2 max, the higher is your cardiovascular fitness, and you can spin faster than most other riders, and switch regularily between your gears to attack, and relax.

 

I normally have a average cadence of 90-95 with my ratio

[MTB_Roadie]

I have been riding 53-39 with 11-23 cluster at the back I find I only have problems keeping with thr group up really steep climbs.

 

I have swopped now to 12-25 for the 99'er fisserhok and oodendal I will need that extra gear

 

But I would suggest having the two differnt clusters and swopping them out depending on the race.

 

90% of the time the 11-23 with teh standard crank works for me.

 

See lots of people going to compact crank now with 11-23 setup.

 

Wise move! Especially since its on the last bit you would need that extra gear

[Gumpole]

if you do any racing you will miss the 11 eventually.. whether you are elite and use it a lot, or slower but need it on downhill drags/ tailwind sections - will prevent getting dropped on 'easy' sections of a race.

[David Marshall]

Yesterday I found the limits of 52x12 trying to hang with the A bunch. Would gladly have swopped anything for a 53x11 right there.

 

I am with you there - may not use the 53/11 much but when you need it you need it. I will always choose to have this option available.

[pastapouch]

If there are lots of flat on your race go with 11-25, otherwise you wont' stick with the bunch unless your cadence is 100+

[Li Mu Bai]

I am with you there - may not use the 53/11 much but when you need it you need it. I will always choose to have this option available.

 

yup, 53 /11 is non negotiable haha

[Bram_on_Madone]

I have been riding 53-39 with 11-23 cluster at the back I find I only have problems keeping with thr group up really steep climbs.

 

I have swopped now to 12-25 for the 99'er fisserhok and oodendal I will need that extra gear

 

But I would suggest having the two differnt clusters and swopping them out depending on the race.

 

90% of the time the 11-23 with teh standard crank works for me.

 

See lots of people going to compact crank now with 11-23 setup.

 

 

My 11-27 is on a standard 53/39 crank - I definitely use the 53 / 11 quite often. Almost impossible to hang onto a fast (slight downhill) sprint if you don't have this combination unless you can spin like a mosquito.

 

Regarding the references to compact cranks - you won't need more than a 23 at the back when using the small 34 blade. A 34 / 27 combination will have you spinning like crazy and probably going backwards up a steep incline....

[gtr1]

Tsk! Girls, girls, girls! What you need are nice 52/42 blades in front and a 14-19 group at the back and you're set to go.

 

Somebody's giving their age away here.

[gtr1]

Learn to spin a gear better and then you don't need the 11. You can get away with the 12 which gives you the option of the 25. If big hills are really tuff, try get a smaller chainring like a 38 instead of 39. That covers all bases.

[Saudiq]

(My 2cents) 11 - 25 works well with a compact crank. With standard crank 12 - 26/27

 

I agree. I have compact crank and the bike came with a standard 12-27 and I definitely miss having the 11 tooth and only use the 27 when I'm riding with some mates who struggle up the hills.

[Red Zone]

I am riding a 12 - 27, a bit soft I know. But have never been dropped from the A, B, C & D PPA groups where I normaly race. I have never spun out and have clapped close to 100 km/h down Hels Hoogte. The 27 is still pretty shiny and I dont realy get much use out of it in a race, but occasionaly it has been an absolute godsend, sometimes you just need a bit of zip up a hill towards the end of a race

[Rick]

I may change my mind later when i'm stronger, but I must say I am enjoying the compact with a 12-25. Ideally I would have liked to go 11-25, but losing the 16 makes for an uncomfortable gap when shifting. So far I don't find an issue with spinning out on the 12, I am quite confortable at 90-100rpm so maybe that's why. Having the close ratio changes is very nice though.

Like I say, I'm no 'A' so maybe when I get there, I will need the 11, for now the 25 is nice for the bad hills and the close ratio is extremely comfortable and consistent.