Cassette change?

TheFritoBandito

I am currently running a 9-spd cassette with the following gears: 12-13-14-15-17-19-21-23-25

It's about time to replace the cassette now. I very rarely use the 12 except when I'm cranking hard on long downhills (almost never) and rarely use the 25 except as an occasional bail-out gear on the hardest hills (and I pretty much only do that because its presence gives me an excuse to use it...if it wasn't there, I could get by with the 23). So I am considering a change to a 13-14-15-16-17-18-19-21-23 which would give me 2 more usable gears and only cost me a bit on the high and low end.

My only dilemma is that I am planning on tackling the Death Ride in July, and for that, with all the climbing and descending, I may actually want the 12 and 25. Any advice?

gclark8

I run a 13-23 on my Felt. Much better than a 12-25 in flat Perth. I suggest buying a 13-23 and keeping the 12-25 for the one ride, it can't be all that bad if the 12 and 15 have had no use. Cassettes are easy to swap, $20 for the tools.

capwater

I run a 13-23 on my Felt. Much better than a 12-25 in flat Perth. I suggest buying a 13-23 and keeping the 12-25 for the one ride, it can't be all that bad if the 12 and 15 have had no use. Cassettes are easy to swap, $20 for the tools.

Agreed, multiple cassettes for different situations. I use a 12-25 for hilly training and mountainous road racing, 12-23 for most general road racing and either 12-21 or 11-21 for flat criteriums. Once nice thing about the 13-25 is you get a 16 gear which is missing from the 12-25. The gap between 15 and 17 can be a biatch.

One thing to consider though is if your 12-25 is worn, you'll need a new chain with the new 13-23 and thus going back to the 12-15 with the new chain can be problematic if the wear is significant.

PeterF

I am currently running a 9-spd cassette with the following gears: 12-13-14-15-17-19-21-23-25

It's about time to replace the cassette now. I very rarely use the 12 except when I'm cranking hard on long downhills (almost never) and rarely use the 25 except as an occasional bail-out gear on the hardest hills (and I pretty much only do that because its presence gives me an excuse to use it...if it wasn't there, I could get by with the 23). So I am considering a change to a 13-14-15-16-17-18-19-21-23 which would give me 2 more usable gears and only cost me a bit on the high and low end.

My only dilemma is that I am planning on tackling the Death Ride in July, and for that, with all the climbing and descending, I may actually want the 12 and 25. Any advice?
I find myself in the 39/13 combo quite a bit. By having a 12t and an 11t, I can run the small chainring without being to crossed up. Personally I like having a wide range, just in case you need it. Having two is really the way to go. Buy some degreaser and give the one your not using a thorough cleaning. By having two and keeping them clean, I get tons of miles out of them.

Secret Squirrel

Are you planning to do the Death ride with a 13-23? I remember previous years, they recommended a triple or a 13-27.

artemidorus

Agreed, multiple cassettes for different situations. I use a 12-25 for hilly training and mountainous road racing, 12-23 for most general road racing and either 12-21 or 11-21 for flat criteriums. Once nice thing about the 13-25 is you get a 16 gear which is missing from the 12-25. The gap between 15 and 17 can be a biatch.

One thing to consider though is if your 12-25 is worn, you'll need a new chain with the new 13-23 and thus going back to the 12-15 with the new chain can be problematic if the wear is significant.
Keep the old chain to use with the old cassette.

PeterF

Keep the old chain to use with the old cassette.
Good call. If the chain still has life in it, I like to use it with the older cassette and keep the new one handy just for use with my racing set-up.

Powerful Pete

Get two cassettes, as other posters have told you. 13-23 is fine, but, as you mentioned, you end up being in trouble in terms of fast downhills (when you will spin out) and on rough climbs, when a 25 would be better to have.

Do get a new chain when you change your cassette, and get a second cassette for the rougher rides when a bailout gear (and therefore a long downhill/fast paced gear) are useful.

Also, are you running a compact up front or a regular 53-39?