merlinextraligh

that’s why Rohan Dennis uses a 56/11. Any lack of efficiency doesn’t seem to be holding him back.

50/12 is going to be a pretty low top end for a time trial bike. That’s 30 mph at 90 rpm. And if you’re preferred cadence is closer to 80 rpm it’s even slower While most of us aren’t time trailing at 30 mph plus, there are definitely occasions where the course has down wind and down grade sections where an 11 tooth got is useful.

colnago62

I would say in practical use terms they are the same.

colnago62

At the velodrome sprinters, and now pretty much every discipline is using huge chainrings to avoid a small cog in the back. There a Japanese sprinter whose chainring looks like he is using a pizza pan. I don’t know how much energy is actually saved, but it is popular. I would want an 11 cassette just in case, unless I am able to scout the course and rile it out.

Bah Humbug

I do wonder why everyone seems so invested in the gearing other people run. Who cares if other people like taller or shorter gears than you, or are fussier about gaps? Who cares if you or I or anyone else uses the same gearing as the pros?

I just like options, and the narrowing of options as speeds increase mean that if those fewer options aren't appealing, upgrading to it isn't appealing either.

noodle soup

50x12 is pretty low for a TT bike, which is why I use a 53t or 54t outer ring and a 42t inner on a TT bike. 54x12 is good for 32ish at 90rpm, and 35 at at 100rpm.

50x12 is great for a road bike because I'm usually coasting once up over 35mph anyway.

tomato coupe

Yep, so many cyclists think the setup they prefer is the only one that makes sense, and everything else is stupid.

Kimmo

Surely everyone can agree that as speeds increase, you want a smaller percentage jump, to deal with exponential aero drag. Hence 3t, 2t, 2t, 1t, 1t, 1t jumps, right?

Yet I'm still waiting for someone to look at the numbers on my 38/50/52 idea, and go, hey yeah, that would make sense for electronic shifting. As far as I can see, it's the last of the significant efficiency gains to be had.

Dean V

But all this close ratio stuff is dependent on if you really need it?
Personally I have found that with appropriate training and if you get over any psychological barriers that you think you need "x" cadence the body is very adaptable.
It can operate over a reasonably wide cadence range with very minimal performance variation.

aplcr0331

Seems like a lack of options in Campy stuff is more than made up for in the fact that you’re no commoner on ugly gear from some oriental fishing product manufacturer.

Get a quill stem and use the same bar tape for a decade.

Smugness overload! You’ll be so amazing the need for additional gearing choices will melt away like the Italian Army in WWII.

Racing Dan

Id much rather sign a petition to get a 105 level 11s 12-28. Why must Shimano limit that particular option to DA. Boggles my mind.

noodle soup

Why buy Shimano, when you could have this clump of plastic hanging off your frame?

Sy Reene

Unfortunate, but can you do something by mixing an 11-32 with a 12-25 (would still be a good amount less than a single DA cassette I think)? Not sure how the cogs are grouped on shimano cassettes, but in theory you could get a 12-13-14-15-16-17-18-20-22-25-28 I think

Drew Eckhardt 

It's dependent on whether you want it.

I don't need more than 52-42 x 14-16-18-21-24-28 six cogs. My power files show the same output and heart rate grinding up mountains at 55 RPM or spinning along flat ground at 95.

I want one tooth jumps through my 19 cog because that feels good, no one is paying me to put up with less, nice bikes are a significant expense costing more than cheap used cars, and I should derive maximum enjoyment from that

I'd spend $1000 more for 10 speed with 17-18-19 cogs over 12 speed without because the gearing makes daily flat rides before work more enjoyable than an extra pair of cogs.

If settling for what I needed was good enough I'd have never upgraded beyond my 1986 Univega.

I don't like it when manufacturers' current model year lineups don't include anything I'd prefer over spares from my shed or used parts bought off ebay.

noodle soup

I don't know if you've gone 11speed yet, but if you have you might checkout a 14-28 Ultegra cassette(14-15-16-17-18-19-20-21-23-25-28).

kingston 

That reminds me. Miche makes 11 speed campagnolo cassettes. I have a Miche Jr. cassette that I like with a compact crank if it's flat. Wonder if they'll start making 12 speed campy cassettes too or if campagnolo has some kind of patent.