Weight Weenies

Im currently upgrading to a Dura-ace 9000 gruppo, currently im not that fit and I can only use one cassette, I dont want to keep switching cassettes, where I live it has a few hills and a couple of big ones that do test you so I need a cassette that will do everything I need that doesnt jump to many teeth at a time.

Currently im running compact 50/34t and a 11-28t cassette.

With dura-ace I have options on the front of a 50/34, 52/36 and a 53/39t

regards cassette I have these options and im thinking of disregarding the 11t options -

12-25: 12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-21-23-25
12-28: 12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-23-25-28

My considerations are -

50/34t and 12/25 11spd
52/36t and 12/28 11spd

reason I have chosen these is they give a decent low gear for the climbs where im weak on and according to gear ratio calculator give me a similar low gear to what im currently running as I can get away with running in the 24t rear cog and when im struggling I drop to the 28t the above two options give gearing inbetween the 24-28t cogs im running now.

and advise on the above considerations? head skeptical comments about the 52/36 chank options giving to broad of a range of gears.

thanks, hope that makes sense. Paying £700 on a crank and cassette I want to get it right first time.

I think the option for 52 36 should be ok. If you are weak at climbing, just try harder by using bigger ratio to build your muscle. 52/36 and 12,28 options should be fine.

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If climbing is your problem, the 52/36 12/28 gives a lower gear than the other one. This should be a no-brainer.

Im coping fine with whats on and my climbing is improving so having a gear thats easier than what I have got is not what I need, I would want something close to what I have now but not an easier gear.

is there any benefit to going mid-compact? 52-36?

I vote for the 52 36 choice as well, gives you a wider spread of gears

34x28 = 31.9
36x28 = 33.8
34x25 = 35.7

Firstly, both of your proposed combinations give you a bigger gear than you currently have, but the 36x28 combo is less of a jump.
Secondly, "what goes up must come down", with the 52 you'll go about 1.5 mph faster than you would with the 50 assuming 80-100 rpm.

I think the 52/36 is the better option.

I would like to have a slightly bigger gear as the current gearing I try and stick in the 24t cog and can just about make it until burning out at the top and i have to use a 28t, so with the above it sits above the 28t on a 50/34 which is what drew me to the two combinations im considering.

you should also consider what is your cruising speed-range, the cadence you maintain at that speed, and then choose the gear combination with the best possible chain line

what works for me (cruising speed-range 31-35 km/h, cadence usually around 90 rpm) is 50-34 and 12-25 where i mostly run 50-19, 18 and 17

if the road goes up for not too long and steep 50 - 21

the 34 i only use when it goes up for anything longer than a couple of 100 m

I think your probably right to stick to the 50/34t with a 12/25t cassette.

52 and 53T big rings are kind of silly if calculate the speed. Looking to the future, a 50/34 gives you a nicer selection if useable gears with the different available cassettes (I know you currently want only one, but you may change you mind in the future.
A 50/34 gives the lowest possible option should you go riding someplace hilly. A 50/11 is more than enough gear for anyone to anything.

Is 50/12 lacking on the decents at all? ill have to go out tomorrow and pay attention to my gear selection

50-38 11-28 for me.

TrekUk wrote:Is 50/12 lacking on the decents at all? ill have to go out tomorrow and pay attention to my gear selection

At 90RPM 50/12=29.9mph (nominal 700c wheel)
50/11= 32.6

So, no.

I think a lot of people would benefit most from having a smaller big ring, than a smaller inner ring.

Having a 50T lets you stay in the large ring for more of your riding and when paired with an 11T is big enough gear for any mortal.

A 50/36 is a pretty sweet setup really. You can pop an 11/28 on there for really big mountain days and have a good low gear, with an excellent top end. (and with 11 speed, you aren't going to absurdly large gaps in the cassette) Then, for most of the time, you can run a tightly spaced 11-23/25.

I believe a lot of people are still going to be in the upper end of their cassette with a 52T large ring.

after a 53miler today and 4000ft of climbing im still sold on the 50/34 so im going to disregard that now, as for the rears I was trying to stay in the 24t for climbing but when I was fubared I gave in and went for the 28t. I still wonder as my fitness improves if I could get away with the 12-25 cassette, but today that wouldnt have been enough. as said though its early days though and im not the fittest yet.

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