Blocking gears
 

I'm attempting to set up my son (15) for his first race at the end of the month, an individual time trial. I'm trying to block out his gears rather than buy junior specific equipment. He's got a 50-34 on the front, and a 28-11 on the back. The problem is that the 50-14 is the biggest combination that will pass the roll out which means I need to block out the 11, 12, and 13t cogs. However, the high-range adjustment screw will only allow me to block out the 11 and 12.

Question: Is there an equipment adjustment that will allow me to block out the 13T (such as a cable adjustment or something) or am I stuck with having to get a different cassette or a junior specific crankset?

Junior cassette would work best. You will have to scratch around a bit for them, but the Shimano makes them in 10 and 11 speed, as do others.

If you want to have and adult gear a 12T cassette might just mean blocking the two cogs - but you are still buying a new cassette.
This is very equipment specific. I think for a TT what you are doing is also ideal for chain alignment - if he can push the 14T.

Some setups you can replace the cogs with spacers. That may be more of a pain - and he can shift off - and on again, but a pain.

Thanks! I found an old 12-25 cassette in my parts bin I had forgotten about. That will allow me to block out the gears I need.

So what about the F16 or F22?

Unfortunately neither one of those is allowed per USA cycling rules! Uncle Sam wouldn't let me walk away with either one of those when I retired anyway. I'm pretty sure I don't have one of them stashed in my parts bin...

Kid wants to drive one of them. It competes with his cycling focus. Likely much safer.

F16F22, loks like you figured out the answer by now - but some other things I did to get my son setup when he was starting out:
1. you can mix & match individual cogs from your adult cassettes to (for eg) create a 12-28, even if you end up with two 13T cogs. He can't use them anyway but it will allow you to pass rollout. (note that you can't use blocked gears at Nationals)
2. Use a 45T chainring - this passes with a 12T cassette and means you can use a standard wheel in case of a wheel change. However it's the least efficient/highest friction setup.
3. The best solution, if he continues, is to spring for the Shimano Ultegra 14T-28T in 10sp or 11sp and use a 52T chainring.

@IBThomasTest test