Best Road Cassette for Commuting/Training

[jamesc]

I currently have a nine speed 12-26 cassette on my road bike with the 39/53 front chain ring combination.

Most of my riding is either commuting or training with one or two races a year.

As my cassette is wearing out and I will need a replacement should I look at one that has cogs with less differential between them such as 12-23 or 13-25 or something else.

Does it make a big difference not having a 26 or a 12 cog?

Thanks

James

 

[artemidorus]

It depends entirely on your rides and riding style. If you like to spin and have to deal with decent hills, you might prefer 12-27. If you ride only on the flat, like to mash and have a high or racing level of fitness, then you would prefer 12-23 or even 12-21. Only you can make the decision.
For what it's worth, I ride 12-25 around Sydney and consider it about right for the hillier rides that I do. If I were only commuting within the Sydney Basin, I would go for 12-21.

 

[gclark8]

I vote 12-23

 

[Albert 50]

Seems a reasonable question, but why wouldn't you know the answer. After all, you have ridden far enough to wear out the current 12-26 [assuming you have had it from new]

 

[sogood]

Seems a reasonable question, but why wouldn't you know the answer. After all, you have ridden far enough to wear out the current 12-26 [assuming you have had it from new]

I agree. If jamesc had trouble getting up some hills on 12-26, then a lower gear is required. If 12-26 has served well for all hills with reserve, then go to a higher geared cassette. Simple isn't it?

 

[jamesc]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I very rarely use the 26 cog any more so it sounds like 12-23 is the way to go.

James

 

[alfeng]

I very rarely use the 26 cog any more so it sounds like 12-23 is the way to go.

Because you are planning on using the same cassette for commuting, you may want to keep the 26t (or, 25t) cog on your cassette.

 

[Burble]

what about an 11-23?
extra speed down those steep hills

 

[jock.c]

what about an 11-23?
extra speed down those steep hills

Shimano's 11-23 sux for commuting compared to their 12-23. You miss out on the 16T sprocket.

Doesn't sound like it would make a lot of difference but it's much nicer having 23-21-19-17-16-15-14-13-12 than 23-21-19-17-15-14-13-12-11.

Commuting in fast flowing traffic calls for a 12-21 (21-19-18-17-16-15-14-13-12) unless you're going to encounter gradients that demand a shorter gear.

 

[mikesbytes]

Its personal choice.

Mines 53/42/30 11-21 nine speed. Training thru big hills in Sydney (RNP for the Sydney-ites), I never felt the need to go lower than 42-21. I never use the 30.

I agree with jock. Don't miss the 16t, a hole in the middle is really annoying.

 

[jock.c]

I forgot to mention: it's a bloody good idea to stick with 9sp for commuting. The 10sp chain is just too fragile. Leave 10sp stuff to those that can afford the angst and pain. You've got to end up at work on time. Every time.

 

[Albert 50]

Its personal choice.

Mines 53/42/30 11-21 nine speed. Training thru big hills in Sydney (RNP for the Sydney-ites), I never felt the need to go lower than 42-21. I never use the 30.

I agree with jock. Don't miss the 16t, a hole in the middle is really annoying.

That's alright for you strong riders, a 42-21 is a fairly tall low gear for climbing for the average punter [like me]
I've been back to the beater lately, 8 speed rear 11-13-15-18-21 etc. Talk about GAPS, very painfull after riding 10 speed, 12-13-14-15-16-17-19 etc

 

[jock.c]

That's alright for you strong riders, a 42-21 is a fairly tall low gear for climbing for the average punter [like me]
I've been back to the beater lately, 8 speed rear 11-13-15-18-21 etc. Talk about GAPS, very painfull after riding 10 speed, 12-13-14-15-16-17-19 etc

Who commutes over mountains??!?

 

[Albert 50]

Who commutes over mountains??!?

Tis all about perception,[aka ability] hills to some are mountains to others

 

[jock.c]

Tis all about perception,[aka ability] hills to some are mountains to others

Ah yes, it all comes flooding back now. Those dark, evil days I thought I'd banished to a forgotten memory...

 

[62vette]

I don't know if 10 speed is a hell of a lot less reliable than 9 speed, but it does pay to spend the bux on Dura Ace chains rather than 105.

Having said that, I'd only commute on something I don't mind getting knocked about. Personally I'd whack a set of 700x28 Vittoria Randonneur tyres on a set of bullet proof 36 spoke wheels to avoid wheel troubles on the commute, and build up something in 9 speed on a **** old aluminium or steel frame that won't mind getting scratched up from being locked to railings etc.

Alternatively set up a mountain bike with rigid forks and slicks, but a roadie will give you better options for keeping up with fast traffic.

 

[gclark8]

I just set up an Avanti Blade, removed the 11-30 wide spaced Shimano 8 speed cassette and fitted a Sunrace 8 speed 11-24, nice spacing, 11,12,13,14,16,18,21,24 with a 28/38/48 crankset. Will see how it goes next weekend when the owner is back from holidays.

 

[Little Jackie]

My 7 speed 11 - 24 (on my Giant) is great, not much difference to the performance of my Felt 12 - 25 which is 8 speed! Giant is a much more comfortable ride, however!

I get my hill climbing ability from having 3 chain rings!