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Cassette advice needed for IMLP

CassieCassie
in General Training Discussions

As this will be my first IM, I need gear advice for Lake Placid.  I have a Cervelo P2 (650 wheels) with the standard 50/34 compact crank and 12-25 cassette.  I am in the turtle class, expecting the bike leg to take 6.5 to 7 hours.

I averaged 17 mph for the Syracuse HIM, a fairly hilly course, with the same type of configuration on my road bike.  But, on my tri bike, the hills seem more of a challenge.

Should I change to a 11-28 cassette for LP?

Cassie

Comments

  • robin sarnerrobin sarner

     Yes.   Definitely.

     

  • tuckermtuckerm
    x2
  • mgraffeomgraffeo
    Cassie, are you an aggressive downhill rider? If you're not likely to be pushing the pedals at 30-35mph, then I'd go with a 12-27 to get closer gear spacing in the middle of the cassette, since a lot of the course is riding along on flat to rolling terrain.
  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    I have 11-28 on both my road and Tri bike. It love all the choices. Done side that people like to talk about is "cadence gap", but is has never been an issue for me. Also, on the downhills, 11/50 is an awesome combination with a better ratio 12/53.
  • Nate ParadyNate Parady
    Cassie, I had an 11 27 or maybe 28 I think for LP...attended the LP Camp with a 12/25 and did ok but for the race I was glad to have that extra "easy" gear to save myself for the run...
    I'm personally not bothered by the cadence gap and also don't push the downhills (I'm scared)...

    Good luck..
  • carls10carls10
    If you are planning on attending the rally you could try it out then on the course. You would have enough time to change it after camp if you thought it was a problem. That's what I did 2 years ago.
  • Kevin WalterKevin Walter
    I think you might be okay with the 12-25. Since you have 650cc wheels, the gear ratio for your 34-25 is pretty close to the same as a 34-27 for someone on 700cc wheels. The LP hills are long, but none are terribly steep. Best is to get up to LP this spring/summer and experiment a bit.
  • Bruce ThompsonBruce Thompson

    Like Dino, I have 11-28 and love the versatility of it.  And I don't really mind the cadance gap -- no big deal.  However, if you aren't going to push the downhills, a 12-28 will work just great too.  The 28 sure is nice to have it "when you need it".  Allows you to just spin right up the steepest hills and saves your legs for the run.

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