Cycling to Work!

I’ve just moved to a new office which is 5 km from my place in Colaba,
Bombay and I’ve decided to experiment with cycling to work. It seems
like the perfect way to fit exercise into my busy day. I’m buying a hybrid
bike and I’ve narrowed it down to the Schwinn Sporterra Sport and the
Cannondale Quick 5. Any suggestions?
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i wish i was that close to work!
i have an 11 mile commute and at 0600 it's not a pretty thought.
i bought a fisher kaitai - a 29'er for the road crap and a front shock. strap on fenders and a fanny pack round it out for me.

it is a great ride and yet i can generate good speeds .
i love to use it except for the fear of it getting stolen

look at this class bike.

dave

 

I think you're posting in the wrong forum.

 

Moved.

 

I am looking to change out the rear cog if I get this bike it is a 50/34T and has a 11-23T
can it be done? what could I put on it

 

Yes it can - all you need is a cassette removal tool and a chain 'whip'. A torque wrench is a 'nice to have' for tightening up the lock ring afterwards.
 
Of course, the first question is - why do you want to change it out?
 
I'd argue that you probably don't need an 11 tooth top gear, 50x12 is plenty unless you're racing and that race includes a nice downhill. Instead of having a 11,12,13... you'd be better off with a 12,13 and using that other cog in the middle for a 17,18,19 rather than a 16,17,19 if you're not in need of a lower climbing gear, or at the end if the hills are a bit too steep for you.

 

Would you tell us what you want to do? more climbing gears? more mid range gears?

 

If you want to use your current chain, as is, the largest cog you can use in conjunction with a 34t chainring would be a 27t ... this presumes the chain is currently the optimum length.
 
Otherwise, the limitation is your budget -- you can install a MTB rear derailleur & an 11-32 or 11-34 Cassette + a new chain.

 

Hi widgetr, with a 50/34 compact crank you could simply get one of the new Shimano 105 11-28T cassettes, install it as swampy1970 suggested, probably need to add a couple more chain links, then adjust the upper setting and probably cable tension ... all done /img/vbsmilies/smilies/smile.gif Even better, ask them to change it over and fit and adjust it when you buy the bike?
 
FYI ... an 11-28 cassette with a 50/34 crank is approx equivalent to a 12-34 cassette with a 53/39 crank.
 
or
 
You could do what alfeng suggested, which will give you lots of high climbing capability /img/vbsmilies/smilies/smile.gif