12-28 Cassette
I have had 2 solid rides on the new bike and am pretty sure that I want to add a few more gears before the upcoming Am. Zofingen. I currently have an SRAM 11-26. I guess my only option is to move to the 11-28, since I can't find a 12-28 any place. Is there such a thing as a 12-28 cassette or is it just a mythical beast like the unicorn?
On a slightly different topic can someone tell me is there really a major difference between the SRAM OG and PG models, other than price. I have found a PG 11-28 cassette for under $100 where the OG is over $200.
Thanks,
Pete
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Comments
For the SRAM stuff, I think you are confusing OG/PG vs Red/Force/Rival/Apex.
OG = Open Glide which means there are 1 two 2 teeth missing. Sram claims this allows faster shifting.
PG = standard style with every tooth
The red is only available in OG and is $200+ because it is very light and one piece. the model number is something like 1090 OG. this cassette is pretty loud.
Force level cassettes used to be OP and are now PG. You can find the old 1070 OG stuff cheap on ebay and still new and unused. They now also have 1070 PG stuff that is $100 retail and you can find for less.
Just an FYI for anyone looking for a ton of gears, SRAM now has a 11-32 cassette and Apex Long Cage derailleur.
After my experience yesterday on 18-20% grades at mile 80+ of a 10-11k feet day, I'll be looking for a 34-12 (or similar) + compact for Everest Challenge.
Note that many cassettes it's a choice between a lot of gears on the climbing end (ie, a 25, 26, 27, or 28t cog) and the low end for high speed (ie, either a 12 or 11t). As triathletes, you're going to be coasting above 34mph or so, down a hill, so there is really no need to have the 11t, with either compact or standard gearing. A 12t is fine and then get the gears you need on the low end (25 to 28t)
@Rich: I have been doing some reading of people who have "built" their own cassettes with the gears they want from multiple cassettes. Does this actually sound like it would work? That seems to be the only way I would get a 28-12.
I can't even imagine a 20% grade.
@Peter, I did this many times back in the day. Just find two cassettes and stack the cogs you want to make a FrankenCassette. I did this when I rode 650c. I mixed 25-12 with a 21-11 so that I had a 25, 24, 23t for climbig, and then a big jump in the cassette to the gears I used at crusing speed on the flats. Bike shifted fine.
20% is steep, but not insane when it's for a short distance in the middle of the normal ride. This went on and on and on, probably 3 miles, and was near the end of an already very challenging ride. The Ergomo was displaying % grade and I was recovering on the 12% stuff...was wishing I could track stand well so I could just stop the bike and rest for a bit without unclipping. No Paper Boy, not unclipping, but there were some pitches where I seriously didn't know if I could make it.
V
What kind of tuning (if any) do you need to do with your derailleurs with a Frankencassette? Also how do you know when/where to use spacers in a Frankencassette? Is it always at the same point in the stack or is it relative to the cog choice?
@Tony, not much at all. I just put it together and then give the bike to a friend or shop who knows how to tune the RD (I don't). Most of the time though no tuning required.
Any reason to consider a 11-28 for IMWI?
Okay, cool. Thanks for the info. I'm thinking of doing this for IM-WI. I've been riding a road bike with a triple and a 12-28 Shimano for the last 3 years. If it fits, I'm hoping to use my friend's Cervelo P2k TT bike this season which has a compact crank on it. Given the hills at Moo I figured I'd want to have a few more hill gears but couldn't find anything bigger than the x-28 in stock (based on this thread I'm guessing there are options out there though.) However I like the idea of the Franken cassette loading it as you need it for climbing with single tooth shifts and then a big jump at the low end for the relatively few times when I'll need speed teeth.
@Gina, I raced IMWI in '04 with a 25-12 on 650c wheels = ~27t cog. There is nothing super steep on the IMWI course (the three major hills are about 8%, might kick to 9%). Bottomline, if you're asking you might need to make a change. Don't forget you can also bring a couple cassettes to the race, drive out to the hills, try it out and make a change if you need to.
Is this waltz through hell part of the EC course? And thanks for posting. I just opted for a big glass of water versus more almond butter.
@Chris, no, this is east San Diego county, very remote area, not anywhere near where we'll be. Happy to take you on some 20% stuff near me though...just let me know.