Gearing change

[DiRt DeViL]

My son's bike currently has 53/39:28/13 gearing and is hard for him on climbs, I ordered a compact 50/34 crankset in oder to ease the gearing up front.

Now the question is, should I change the cassette with a different gear combination? or should I keep the current one. I have 2 spare road cassettes that could use if needed, 23:13 and 26:12.

 

[DiabloScott]

My son's bike currently has 53/39:28/13 gearing and is hard for him on climbs, I ordered a compact 50/34 crankset in oder to ease the gearing up front.

Now the question is, should I change the cassette with a different gear combination? or should I keep the current one. I have 2 spare road cassettes that could use if needed, 23:13 and 26:12.

39x28 old low gear = 34x24 so if you put the 13-23 on there his lowest gear will be even higher than it was before!

Leave the 28 tooth on there and see if you have any chain wrap issues with the derailler; if so, put the 26 on.

There are better and cheaper ways of getting lower gears than compact cranks.

 

[gclark8]

I agree, with the compact crank, leave the 28 low on the back. Maybe he should have had a triple to start with. MTB 28/38/48 cranksets are cheap. I just set up a Giant Upland for a GF with 28/38/48 and 11-28 (7) on the rear, she climbs like a missile!