spilot101

52/36? My current Canyon Endurace has 50/34 and 11-34T. Not the smoothest shifting experience but it gets the job done. I've also recently gotten Kickr Core and stuck the same cassette in the back (unfortunately... didn't know better then).
Now that I've getting slightly more familiar with how things work, and given my preference for flatter rides (my knee), I'm getting more curious about getting some gains on the flats (there are definitely still some occasional hills here in there - I currently live in a very mountainous South Korea), or even just a smoother shifting experience at relatively higher speeds. So here's what I'm thinking:

a. 52/36 (from current 50/34) + 11-34 combo? [$88 upgrade] Which should still have the same chain capacity of 39T On paper, this looks to give me some gains, but I've never come across this combination no matter how hard I googled... so I'm a bit suspect there.

Other options:

b. 50/34 + 12-30 (34T capacity) I know this will hurt my top speed, but it would be the cheapest change out the bunch... and I'm curious if this would make more sense on Kickr, at least, since 90% of the time, I'm going in 13-50...
c. 52/36 + 12-30 (34T capacity)
d. 52/36 + 11-28 (33T capacity*) Since this is the Maximum capacity for the SS, is it possible to get away with my medium GS cage (34-41T)?

I have an RD-4700-GS derailleur with 34-41T max capacity, so all good there.

Anything thoughts on any of those? I'm particularly curious about options "a" and "c" which seem to appeal to me the most, number-wise.

Also, would I need to resize my chain for either a, b or c?

Thanks in advance

rccardr 

Interesting. My CF Endurace (which might be older than yours) has a 52/36 and 11/32 combination. I've never found it to be lacking at either end of the gearing, although we have really steep hills where I live in Virginia.
If you're mainly in 50-30 now, just shifting down a gear (or two?) on the cassette to the 12 or 11 will give you an extra 10% or so per gear- much more than going from a 50 to a 52 ring gear..

Iride01 

If your shifting experience isn't smooth, then changing to 52/36 crank probably isn't going to do anything for that unless you have mix and match components and something is out of wack. IMO

What about your current ride experience with that mountainous terrain and your typical rides that make up most of your riding. Do you feel more lacking for low gear ratios or for high gear ratios? Or does the current range of ratios serve you well? Forget about smoothness till you have the ratios correct for you and what you ride.

A 52/36 might feel good on the down side of a hill, but you might miss the 50/34 going up the hill. It's possible you might need a bike that can handle some of the wider ranging cassettes found on some cross bikes.

Or, if there is a side of the cassette you seldom use, then you might need to look for a cassette that gives you more choices in the range you do use. And that might include or be handled by a change of the front chain wheels as you are asking in your OP.

cxwrench

Just because you have bigger gears on your bike doesn't mean you'll go faster.

squirtdad

note that Shimano spec for that derailler also specifies no more than 16t difference between the front chain rings. Will it work? maybe, but there may be reason shimano does not sell 52/34 configuration

Personally I think you you stick with what your have, gives you the lowest for hills and should be more than fast enough on flats

rosefarts

I have 50/34 and 12-30 on one of my bikes.

Don't worry about your top speed. 50x12 is gets me well over 40mph before I tuck and stop pedaling. It's the tuck and long descent without curves that gives you really fast speeds.

I've descended in excess of 55mph several times. I don't think I was ever actually pedaling at those speeds.

34x30 on an unloaded road bike is a mountain goat gear. No need to be much lower on pavement.

spilot101

Cool. Thanks for the feedback, everyone.
Im going to keep my 50/34 for now and give 12-30 a spin, as it seems to be the most logical choice for my current needs, if I can get away without the need to shorten my chain. This change would keep me within my cage range (going from 39T to 34T). But would I need to shorten my chain, or can I keep it as is?

CAT7RDR

I had rough shifting in on the 27, 30 and 34 cogs of my 11-34 mated with a 50/34 Ultegra 6800 compact. After having a GS rdr/chain change and some fine tuning while riding, I no longer have rough shifting but I realize I need 1/2 turn more of the crank to complete the shifts in those cogs.

spilot101

Gotcha. My shifting is pretty dialed in for what it is, on my current rig, but since I spend 90% of my time in upper end, I like the idea of having a smoother spread there: 12-13-14-15.... (as opposed to the current 11-13-15). If I catch myself missing my 11-50 on some long downhills, I can always upgrade my chainrings to 52-36.... I'm guessing 52-12 will be similar. Too bad there are no 10s 11-30 sprockets.

Racing Dan

Unless you have some steep hills that demand low gears I would suggest the 10s 12-28 and combined with 50/34. The 12-28 is exactly the same as the 11s 11-28 bar the 11t cog that you likely never use anyway.

spilot101

Thanks, Dan. I thought about this one as well, but it might put it outside of my medium (GS4700) derailleur's range with its 32T. I'd probably need an SS cage and do away with a few chain links for the swap to work, wouldn't I?

Racing Dan

Ive tried the 12-28 with a GS. You need to adjust the B-screw to make is shift quick and positive. I does work fine but I would prefer a SS given the choice.

spilot101

Cheers Dan

Bill Kapaun

Where are you getting your chain wrap numbers?
This doc shows 33 for the SS and 39 (really 41) on the GS.
32T of wrap will fit either as well as a 12-28 cassette.
I also hate the 11T cog that's so prolific. It's my belief that those who put the most miles on their bike (touring of some sort) probably don't use an 11T cog.

spilot101

Thanks Bill. I didn't realize that minimum and maximum sprocket capacities overlap. Very handy chart.

Bill Kapaun

Maybe a 12-30 cassette?
https://www.coloradocyclist.com/ulte...IaAuurEALw_wcB

I run a 12-27 9 speed on my "grocery getter", but age & medical issues make it appear I'll change it into a 13-30 by exchanging some parts from an 11-34.
That spread of a 10 speed is actually the 1st 10 speed cassette that appealed to me.

spilot101

I ordered a 12-30 yesterday and Amazon has already shipped it. Look forward to giving it a spin!