Changing cassette?
07-13-20, 01:50 PM
#1
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Changing cassette?
I have Dura -Ace Components on my bike.My crank is 50/34 compact .Cassette 11-28 .I would like to go lower gears if I went with 11-30 or 11-32 what would I gained and lose Thanks
07-13-20, 02:20 PM
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Cassette weighs more- especially as not dura-ace. RD might need to be replaced. Probably new, longer chain.
Easier climbing. More time in the big ring. Fewer front shifts.
Easier climbing. More time in the big ring. Fewer front shifts.
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07-13-20, 02:37 PM
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Everything on a bicycle works together so you can almost never change only one thing.
In this case, mechanically you are almost surely going to need a new longer chain. Also, your DA rear derailleur probably won't handle your new largess rear cogs and might not wrap up all of the chain slack in the little/little gear combination.
Relative to ride ability you will get one or two additional easier hill climb gears. In return you will sacrifice wider steps in the intermediate gear range that you probably ride in most of the time. The issue with the compact double crankset which you have, is at what point you find yourself shifting from the little to big chainring. The wider range cassette may make make that smoother to do or it may become even more inconvenient.
In this case, mechanically you are almost surely going to need a new longer chain. Also, your DA rear derailleur probably won't handle your new largess rear cogs and might not wrap up all of the chain slack in the little/little gear combination.
Relative to ride ability you will get one or two additional easier hill climb gears. In return you will sacrifice wider steps in the intermediate gear range that you probably ride in most of the time. The issue with the compact double crankset which you have, is at what point you find yourself shifting from the little to big chainring. The wider range cassette may make make that smoother to do or it may become even more inconvenient.
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07-13-20, 02:44 PM
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My Dura-Ace RD has a max specified limit of 28 teeth. I ignored the spec and put on a 12-30 cassette and it works just fine. However, you might want to check before you continue.
07-13-20, 04:06 PM
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A 28 to a 32 is not that large of a jump. I've had that work without needing a new chain or rear derailleur.
Sometimes you need to max out or even a longer B screw on the RD.
Ideally you could just use smaller rings up front, but can't normally go below a 34 tooth small ring on a 110 BCD compact crank. Not sure if you can do it with a Dura ace, I'm more of a 105 budget, but a smaller large change ring will offset the increase in rear cassette ratios. If you never spin out in top gear than that is an option.
Sometimes you need to max out or even a longer B screw on the RD.
Ideally you could just use smaller rings up front, but can't normally go below a 34 tooth small ring on a 110 BCD compact crank. Not sure if you can do it with a Dura ace, I'm more of a 105 budget, but a smaller large change ring will offset the increase in rear cassette ratios. If you never spin out in top gear than that is an option.
Last edited by Pop N Wood; 07-14-20 at 05:11 AM.
