Need Casette Sizing Recommendation

(Joe) said:

I'm a casual rider who also likes occasional (e.g.
infrequent) racing. I ride in an area that has a fair
number of hills, most of which are less than 1/4 mile long.
They can be a real killer on my current bike, which has a
13-23 in the rear casette (and I am a bit out of shape this
year). I am always on the lowest gear going up those hills
(and usually use the highest gear setting going down them).
I don't tend to ride on real long trips, usually just 3
hours or less.

I'm in the process of upgrading the bike and am looking at
new road groups. I've noticed most of the higher-end racing
bikes have 11-23 on the rear casette. Are these impractical
for my application? What would be a good all-around casette
for me? Does a 12-25 give a good broad range of gearing for
my needs? I don't want to go with a triple on the front.

Sheldon Brown's gear calculator is helpful to play with options-

sheldonbrown.comgearsOpen ↗

There is an Ultegra 12-27 cassette. And Harris/Brown has
some interesting custom cassettes-

sheldonbrown.comk7.htmlOpen ↗

No reason not to have a couple of cassettes. A wide range
for most of your riding and a tighter range for races.

Quoted message said:

I'm in the process of upgrading the bike and am looking at
new road groups. I've noticed most of the higher-end
racing bikes have 11-23 on the rear casette. Are these
impractical for my application? What would be a good all-
around casette for me? Does a 12-25 give a good broad
range of gearing for my needs? I don't want to go with a
triple on the front.

If you're talking a 9-speed system, what's to lose going to
a 12-25? The gears are still spaced a whole lot closer than
what I used to race on. And if you're talking 10-speeds
heck, toss on a 12-27 and be ready for *anything* that comes
your way! But the main reason for doing that would be in the
event you travel someplace where the hills are a bit longer
than you find locally.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

"Joe" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm a casual rider who also likes occasional (e.g.
infrequent) racing. I ride in an area that has a fair
number of hills, most of which are less than 1/4 mile
long. They can be a real killer on my current bike, which
has a 13-23 in the rear casette (and I am a bit out of
shape this year). I am always on the lowest gear going up
those hills (and usually use the highest gear setting
going down them). I don't tend to ride on real long trips,
usually just 3 hours or less.

I'm in the process of upgrading the bike and am looking at
new road groups. I've noticed most of the higher-end
racing bikes have 11-23 on the rear casette. Are these
impractical for my application? What would be a good all-
around casette for me? Does a 12-25 give a good broad
range of gearing for my needs? I don't want to go with a
triple on the front.

Joe said:

I'm a casual rider who also likes occasional (e.g.
infrequent) racing. I ride in an area that has a fair
number of hills, most of which are less than 1/4 mile
long. They can be a real killer on my current bike, which
has a 13-23 in the rear casette (and I am a bit out of
shape this year). I am always on the lowest gear going up
those hills (and usually use the highest gear setting
going down them). I don't tend to ride on real long trips,
usually just 3 hours or less.

I'm in the process of upgrading the bike and am looking at
new road groups. I've noticed most of the higher-end
racing bikes have 11-23 on the rear casette. Are these
impractical for my application? What would be a good all-
around casette for me? Does a 12-25 give a good broad
range of gearing for my needs? I don't want to go with a
triple on the front.

What do you have on the front? If its 52/42 then a change to
a 39 would make all the difference in the world. On a 9
speed I always think that
53/39 and 12-23 is standard gearing... at least it is for
me.

Stan Cox

i live in north Ga. i. e. Tour de Georgia mountain stage
area. A 12-23 would kick your ass around here. A 12-25 is
about right. A 12,13-27 gives you a bonk gear 🙁 I,m 38 so i
started riding on 6 speed un-indexed freewheels. Having 8
regular gears & 1 just get me home i'm dead gear is ideal.
Maybe that helps...

[email hidden] (Joe) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I'm a casual rider who also likes occasional (e.g.
infrequent) racing. I ride in an area that has a fair
number of hills, most of which are less than 1/4 mile
long. They can be a real killer on my current bike, which
has a 13-23 in the rear casette (and I am a bit out of
shape this year). I am always on the lowest gear going up
those hills (and usually use the highest gear setting
going down them). I don't tend to ride on real long trips,
usually just 3 hours or less.

I'm in the process of upgrading the bike and am looking at
new road groups. I've noticed most of the higher-end
racing bikes have 11-23 on the rear casette. Are these
impractical for my application? What would be a good all-
around casette for me? Does a 12-25 give a good broad
range of gearing for my needs? I don't want to go with a
triple on the front.

I don't understand why you would need even a 12, unless you
are consistently spinning the 13 up to 100rpm on the
downhill parts. I personally don't think an occaisional
racer needs a 12 either, unless you are racing in
significant hills or have a compact front. Then the
question is, how challenged are you by the 23? Is it
bringing you almost to a standstill, or are you able to
keep the pedals turning at a pretty decent, if painful,
clip? If you're having a hard time keeping the pedals
going, then go for the 27, or even higher; if you're just
looking to ease up some while you get in better shape maybe
try the 25. By staying with the 13 you may be able to add 2
big sprockets and keep reasonably close spacing. You might
also consider going to a 39 in the front if you have
something bigger as the small ring now.

Try to buy a cassette that will give you some
interchangeability and options with what you have now, which
means all separate sprockets, so you can experiment; that
would be an argument for a 12-27 which would give you two
new big sprockets and one new small one, assuming you don't
have one of those annoying designs that don't allow you to
separate the big cogs. Separate wheels for racing and
training would be a good idea so you don't have to mess with
changing sprockets at the last minute as part of your race
preparation.

JP

Joe said:

What would be a good all-around casette for me? Does a 12-
25 give a good broad range of gearing for my needs? I
don't want to go with a triple on the front.

Why not a 12-27? The only difference between a 12-25 and a
12-27 are the last two cogs.

12-13-14-15-17-19-21-23-25

vs.

12-13-14-15-17-19-21-24-27

Slightly wider spacing on the low end makes sense. You
want equal percentage changes, not necessarily equal
tooth changes.

Art Harris

Stan Cox <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<qlbzc.1476$EI5.567@newsfe6-win>...

Quoted message said:

Joe said:

I'm a casual rider who also likes occasional (e.g.
infrequent) racing. I ride in an area that has a fair
number of hills, most of which are less than 1/4 mile
long. They can be a real killer on my current bike,
which has a 13-23 in the rear casette (and I am a bit
out of shape this year). I am always on the lowest gear
going up those hills (and usually use the highest gear
setting going down them). I don't tend to ride on real
long trips, usually just 3 hours or less.

I'm in the process of upgrading the bike and am looking
at new road groups. I've noticed most of the higher-end
racing bikes have 11-23 on the rear casette. Are these
impractical for my application? What would be a good all-
around casette for me? Does a 12-25 give a good broad
range of gearing for my needs? I don't want to go with a
triple on the front.

What do you have on the front? If its 52/42 then a change
to a 39 would make all the difference in the world. On a 9
speed I always think that
53/39 and 12-23 is standard gearing... at least it is
for me.

Stan Cox

Thanks Stan--I forgot to mention, I'm using 52/42 on the
front. Does dropping down to a 39 make all that much of a
difference?

Joe said:

Stan Cox <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<qlbzc.1476$EI5.567@newsfe6-win>...

Quoted message said:

Joe said:

I'm a casual rider who also likes occasional (e.g.
infrequent) racing. I ride in an area that has a fair
number of hills, most of which are less than 1/4 mile
long. They can be a real killer on my current bike, which
has a 13-23 in the rear casette (and I am a bit out of
shape this year). I am always on the lowest gear going up
those hills (and usually use the highest gear setting
going down them). I don't tend to ride on real long
trips, usually just 3 hours or less.

I'm in the process of upgrading the bike and am looking
at new road groups. I've noticed most of the higher-end
racing bikes have 11-23 on the rear casette. Are these
impractical for my application? What would be a good all-
around casette for me? Does a 12-25 give a good broad
range of gearing for my needs? I don't want to go with a
triple on the front.

What do you have on the front? If its 52/42 then a change
to a 39 would make all the difference in the world. On a 9
speed I always think that
53/39 and 12-23 is standard gearing... at least it is
for me.

Stan Cox

Thanks Stan--I forgot to mention, I'm using 52/42 on the
front. Does dropping down to a 39 make all that much of a
difference?

Oh yes! makes a heck of a difference, about the same as a
tooth at the rear. Its really noticeable. If I lived in a
really hilly area I might go to 52/39 13-25(dont tell
anyone but my winter bike has 50/39 13-25 on it to help me
keep spinning). Dont worry about spinning out on the
descents just enjoy them...there's another uphill bit round
the corner
🙂 All the Best

Stan Cox

Harris said:

Joe said:

What would be a good all-around casette for me? Does a
12-25 give a good broad range of gearing for my needs? I
don't want to go with a triple on the front.

The 12-25 is a pretty good all around cassette for most
people, which is why it's standard on most bikes. But if you
don't have a triple and you need lower gears, other
cassettes may be better for you -- either the 12-27, or some
of the MTB cassettes. Also, Sheldon Brown makes custom 13-
30, etc. These are a really good idea, unfortunately ignored
by Shimano.

With today's 9 and now 10 speed cassettes, there's no reason
not to have the gears you need.

Quoted message said:

Why not a 12-27? The only difference between a 12-25 and a
12-27 are the last two cogs.

12-13-14-15-17-19-21-23-25

vs.

12-13-14-15-17-19-21-24-27

Slightly wider spacing on the low end makes sense. You
want equal percentage changes, not necessarily equal tooth
changes.

I actually prefer the smaller gaps in the 12-25. I'd sooner
go to a smaller chainring than the 12-27, but that's the
luxury of having a triple.

Matt O.

Stan Cox said:

Joe wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Thanks Stan--I forgot to mention, I'm using 52/42 on the
front. Does dropping down to a 39 make all that much of a
difference?

Oh yes! makes a heck of a difference, about the same as a
tooth at the rear. Its really noticeable. If I lived in a
really hilly area I might go to 52/39 13-25(dont tell
anyone but my winter bike has 50/39 13-25 on it to help me
keep spinning). Dont worry about spinning out on the
descents just enjoy them...there's another uphill bit
round the corner
🙂 All the Best

A 39 chainring will make about the same difference as a 12-
27 cassette, for maybe half the cost. But I'd go one further
with a 38, which is the smallest that will fit most road
doubles. Since you have a 52 for your big ring instead of a
53, it stays within most front derailers' official limit of
14 tooth gap.

Matt O.

Harris <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Joe said:

What would be a good all-around casette for me? Does a
12-25 give a good broad range of gearing for my needs? I
don't want to go with a triple on the front.

Why not a 12-27? The only difference between a 12-25 and a
12-27 are the last two cogs.

12-13-14-15-17-19-21-23-25

vs.

12-13-14-15-17-19-21-24-27

Slightly wider spacing on the low end makes sense. You
want equal percentage changes, not necessarily equal tooth
changes.

Art Harris

That does make a lot of sense--a 27 on the low gives a great
deal to choose from.

"Matt O'Toole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Harris said:

Joe said:

What would be a good all-around casette for me? Does a
12-25 give a good broad range of gearing for my needs?
I don't want to go with a triple on the front.

The 12-25 is a pretty good all around cassette for most
people, which is why it's standard on most bikes.

I just don't get it. 12-25 is a pretty good all around
cassette for elite racers who train in the mountains but for
common people who don't ride down mountains or have a
compact crankset, a 12 is not very usable. Ironically, the
tourists who ride mountains would probably want something
lower than a 25.

Personally, I think the 12 tooth cog is a macho
marketing gimmick.

JP

JP said:

"Matt O'Toole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<2j659eFta2lbU1@uni-
berlin.de>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Harris said:

Joe <[email hidden]> wrote:

> What would be a good all-around casette for me? Does a
> 12-25 give a good broad range of gearing for my needs?
> I don't want to go with a triple on the front.

The 12-25 is a pretty good all around cassette for most
people, which is why it's standard on most bikes.

I just don't get it. 12-25 is a pretty good all around
cassette for elite racers who train in the mountains but
for common people who don't ride down mountains or have a
compact crankset, a 12 is not very usable. Ironically, the
tourists who ride mountains would probably want something
lower than a 25.

Personally, I think the 12 tooth cog is a macho marketing
gimmick.

Perhaps I should have said "pretty good all around, among
Shimano's available 9 speed cassettes."

I like the 12-25, because of the smaller gaps at the lower
end, plus I find the 12 useful for descending big hills
(though not necessary). Shimano *should* make a 13-30 or
something. Campy, BTW, has a very nice 13-29 10 speed. For
most people, the extra gear is more useful at the lower end.

Matt O.

"Matt O'Toole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

JP said:

"Matt O'Toole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<2j659eFta2lbU1@uni-
berlin.de>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Harris wrote:

> Joe <[email hidden]> wrote:
>
>> What would be a good all-around casette for me? Does
>> a 12-25 give a good broad range of gearing for my
>> needs? I don't want to go with a triple on the front.

The 12-25 is a pretty good all around cassette for most
people, which is why it's standard on most bikes.

I just don't get it. 12-25 is a pretty good all around
cassette for elite racers who train in the mountains but
for common people who don't ride down mountains or have
a compact crankset, a 12 is not very usable. Ironically,
the tourists who ride mountains would probably want
something lower than a 25.

Personally, I think the 12 tooth cog is a macho
marketing gimmick.

Perhaps I should have said "pretty good all around, among
Shimano's

available 9

Quoted message said:

speed cassettes."

I like the 12-25, because of the smaller gaps at the lower
end, plus I

find the

Quoted message said:

12 useful for descending big hills (though not
necessary). Shimano

*should*

Quoted message said:

make a 13-30 or something. Campy, BTW, has a very nice 13-
29 10 speed.

For

Quoted message said:

most people, the extra gear is more useful at the
lower end.

For those still using 9 speed, Campy also offers 13-28 and
14-28 cassettes.