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Chain ring choices with 11 speeds Shimano Dura Ace or Ultegra

kadlerkadler
in General Training Discussions

11 speed Dura-Ace and Ultegra cranks use the same bolt circle diameter for compact and traditional double chain ring pairs, so different than most cranks, the same crank arm can fit all chain ring sizes. 

Because of this, I bought these cranks for for both my road and TT bikes so I can easily switch from a compact to a full size crank with just an allen wrench and a few minutes

The sizes Shimano offers as sets in this four-arm design are: 50-34T/52-36T/52-38T/53-39T/54-42T/55-42T

Does anyone have a view on if a bike would shift well set up differently than the prescribed combinations, perhaps as a 52-32 or a 53-34? 

If this would work could give the best of all worlds all the time especially with a wide range cassette in the back.

I sure would love some extra power going down hills, but sure love having my 34 (per EN recommended gearing).  

 

Comments

  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    I don't think the front DR will make a move that big. Meaning, it will not push the chain from a 34 to a 53. I think the chain would just slam against the big ring and not "jump up" on to it for the small ring.

    I just moved my TT rig to a 52/36 set up paired with 11/28 cassette. I like it a a lot for my TT, but with all the long climbing I do on my road bike I am worried about giving up my 34t chain ring / 28t cog combo so I can have more top end.

    But, the answer may be in the cassette. I am now looking a 52/36 up front with perhaps a 30/11 cassette. I need to do the math, but that wide cassette (I am not worried about cadence gaps) would give tons of options for all around riding.
  • kadlerkadler
    Dino,

    That was my fear. With that information I am now thinking of doing what you did with the 52/36 on the TT bike.

    And I agree with you that the answer is in the cassette. Very cool how much more range they can provide now relative to a few years ago. Have not seen anything in Shimano road cassettes wider than 11-28.

    Seems SRAM has an 11 speed 11-30 and an 11-32. That would be awesome. Is there a way to make this work with a Dura ace derailleur or do you have to be riding SRAM?


  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    It will work... I think. I set up a P3 for IM Tahoe with Dura Ace drive train. I use a shimano long cage DR with a 11/30 cassette. Not sure who made the cassette. I thought it was Shimano. I will look at it.
  • scott dinhoferscott dinhofer
    @ken - SRAM & Shimano are essentially interchangeable. When SRAM came on the market they used the same setups as Shimano for easier acceptance...
  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    I have my road bike set up as 52/36, 11-28, 11spd. It's great for the riding I do. The 36-28 climbing combo isn't very different from the 34-26 I used to have (10spd bike) and the 52-11 is very nice on downhills. Gets me another ~3-4mph vs the 50-11 on my old bike. There is a bit of a cadence gap on flat rides, but less than what I'd see with a 28-11 on a 10spd bike. IE, 28-11 on 11sp bike is less gappy then on a 10spd bike. 

    If I were to get a new 11spd TT bike, I'd set it up with this 52/36, 11-28 gearing, then have a 25-11 (or 10? If they make them?) for flatter stuff. 

    However, as always, you need to consider the w/kg and terrain of the person who's advising you about cassettes. I'm 4.0w/kg right now and regularly get in 3-4k of gain on a "just a ride" ride, with a choice of everything from 2-16% grades. Dino rides in identical terrain but with different w/kg and a different riding style (seems to be more comfortable a lower cadence that I am). 

    The net is that these days I'm likely to recommend that Intermediate to Advanced athletes consider a 52/36 vs 50/34 on an 11spd vs 10spd bike, because you can comfortably run a cassette like that 28-11

  • kadlerkadler
    Thanks for your help. The mid compact 52/26 it is. Just waived in the 11-28 to go with it
  • scott dinhoferscott dinhofer
    all good stuff and good help...

    I am actually changing out my crank, going to a 170 from a 172.5 and going with Qrings at 52/36 paired with a 11-28 on the back.

    Ken & I live a few miles apart. You have to try hard to have a 50ish mile ride with only 3000 ft of climbing, our 90-112 mile rides will typically have 5-9000 ft, depending on where we go for the day, but usual is 5-7k...
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