Should I get a 11-28 for IMCDA

Peter Carroll

I just want validation that I should go out and spend $100...

Currently I have a standard ultegra crank with a 12-25.    My FTP is 213, so I will probably going slower up the hills at IM CDA.

Would getting an 11-28 cassette be worth the $100 or so it would cost?  I know more gears the better,but I just wanted to get someone's opinion who knows the hills at CDA.

Thanks!

mancona

With a standard crank, absolutely change the cassette... but look around as they can be had for $75 or less. Bike Nashbar, performance bike, ebay, etc...

Bike Nashbar has the shimano 6700 cassettes on sale for $69.99 and 20% today if you spend over $75. I have used the 6700 with shimano and sram and they work great.

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_502318_-1_201675_10000_200300

Spokane_Al

I ride the IM CDA course with a compact crank and a 12/27 cassette and like the setup very much. That said, there are a couple of tough hills no matter what your gearing. I guess the answer depends on whether you prefer to grind up the hills or ride them with a higher cadence - I have tried both and much prefer the latter - especially by the time I hit the second loop.

William Jenks

I have a Cervelo with a standard 53/39 12/25. My rear wheel is an Open Pro with a Power Tap. So all I have to say below refers ONLY to that.

Last year, I switched out the 12/25 for a 11/27 from SRAM that was "officially" compatible with Shimano equipment. It "worked", but neither I nor the LBS (whose mechanics are very good) could get the shifting to be all that smooth, and just the slightest mal-adjustment meant that some pair of gears would likely jump back and forth without me doing something. I switched back to the 12/25 Shimano cassette, and all of a sudden everything is super smooth again.

I guess my point here is just a little warning about my particular happy (from a gearing perspective) but frustrating (overall) experience with mixing the SRAM and Shimano.

Also, one other thing... the SRAM cassettes don't use the spacer that the Shimano does. This means that if you use a disc cover (which acts as a spacer), you'll have just that much extra space there. Also, the chain may rub against the disc cover when you're in the lowest gear because the spacer cannot be used with the SRAM. (The cassette lock won't go on.) Gear alignment is doable, but again, just another not-perfect-compatibility.

William Jenks

@Matt... a little off topic, but what's the difference between the Ultegra 6600 and 6700 lines? I've gotten confused with all their new lines in the last couple years.

Scott Alexander

I don't know how big of a guy you are, but I rode IMCDA with a compact 50/34 and a 12/27 cassette, I'm 6'1" and was 195lbs at the time.

Like Al said, there are some hills that are going to be hard no matter what gearing you have.

I'd spend the money on a compact crank, not a new/different cassette. I just ordered a compact 50/34 for my road bike yesterday from my LBS, it was only $90+tax.

Coach Rich

Get the gears, whether as compact or 27-12. I raced compact + 25-12 @ ~4.1w/kg and coulda used the 27 a few times. The tops of some of the hill have some quick, but steep, kickers.

mancona

Scott has a great point... if you can find a compact crank for around $100, that is probably a better investment. FWIW I used a Shimano R-700 compact for a while and it worked great and was affordable. Last year they were typically find $100-$150 since they have been discontinued and everyone was discounting them.

For IM more gears are better and anyway you can get more gears is going to benefit you (crank or cassette). Plus if you get a compact or at least a bigger cassette you don't have to worry about Rich trying to kick you when he sees your bike.

@William - 6700 is just the 2010 model and 6600 is the 08, 09 model. They did make some small changes which make the 6700 cassette lighter, there are more combinations available now and they also dropped the price. Both are compatable so which ever you can get cheaper will work. The significant changes from 6600 - 6700 (and 7800-7900) are mainly in the road shifters and the introduction of Di2.

Peter Carroll

Thanks for all the advice. I think i'll just get the 11-28. That should be enough. I've looked for a compact crank and they are all over $175 and my budget this year is dwindling. I think I missed the 'last years model' sales. I'll have to keep that in mind early next year. I've found a few places that I can get an ultegra 11-28 cheap, of course nashbar is the cheapest, but they are out of them.

Thanks all for the advice!