Bicycle Dudes

I just picked up a 2005 GT Series 2.0 that has a 50/34 Compact crank with a 9 speed 11/23 rear cassette (Shimano). I will keep it in TN mostly to ride when I am at my girlfriend's house (got it for $415 on fleaBay... should be here next week).

I currently run a 50/34 Ultegra Compact on my Bianchi with a 12/27 10 speed rear cassette (Shimano).

I am starting to venture out to more hilly terrain. Some of it is rather steep and a few new hills I found in TN are not as steep but are more long and hurtful :D

Anyway, I want to upgrade the rear cassette on the GT and figure I will put similar gearing for the rear cassette on the Bianchi as well.

My LBS has a few options using SRAM components. The one I'm liking right now is a 11/28 9 speed for the GT and a 12/28 for the Bianchi but I also have the option of a /32 or /34 but would have to upgrade the rear derailer as well.

What recommendation do you guys have about it? I struggle on steep hills with my /27 but can get up them. Problem is the more mileage I venture out on the more and steeper the hills. I think the /32 is overkill but when I'm struggling I'm begging for another gear.

However, as I keep improving I don't want to get to where the /32 is not used and a pain when the /28 would be sufficient at that point.

For the most part I am most comfortable when I can maintain an 75-80rpm cadence going up hill and a 90rpm cadence on flats.

I want both bikes to have as similar gearing as possible for hills so I will upgrade both to be as similar as possible in the highest gear.

I am also going to have both bikes fitted by the LBS for me and see how that goes.

Thanks
Ivan

Rich Rohrich said:

... or you could just go with the 28 and train hard till it's the right gear. My guess is, this is the approach you WANT to take. ;)

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Yeah... I think I'm looking for people to say "don't be a WUSSIE and go with the /28"

:laugh:

I have the opportunity to go on some of the same road that the Assault on Mt Mitchell is and there are some brutal climbs there so I might pick up the larger ring just for those rides.

Thanks

Ivan

Tony Eeds said:

You didn't mention, but how many miles is your base and what are you riding per week?

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Since 2004 I have averaged 500 miles a year (I know, not much). Last year I was over 700 and this year I am on pace for 1200 (600 miles so far this year). Prior to this year my highest year was 2006 with 975 miles.

For the past 3 months, I usually ride 15-20 miles 3 to 4 times a week. I ride the dirtbike two to three times a month which is time I could be on the bicycle BUT I won't give up the dirt :)

Right now with the heat if it is over 90 degrees I do 15 and if it is under then I do 20 unless it is a weekend and then I do 25 - 30 for a ride. I try to get at least two 25 - 30 mile rides in a month but it all depends on time.

My time is taken up by every other Friday having my niece (which I won't give up b/c her dad isn't in the picture so I am her male role-model), every other Friday going to Nashville (6 hour drive but I take the bicycle to ride while I am there-usually just one day to ride) and back on Sunday and riding the dirtbike at least one day on the weekend's I'm not in Nashville. Plus I have a 45-50 minute one way commute to work and am rarely home before 6:45pm (puts me on the bike a little after 7pm and around here I won't ride at night).

I have been spinning more in the 90's lately and feel comfortable there more and more. On flats I feel I can ride all day, even with a headwind, but the hills just zap me good but I do my best to target 80rpm or better.

I have a couple metric centuries I want to do by the end of the year... I should realistically be able to get at least one of them under my belt based on what I know is on tap coming up.

Next weekend I won't ride much but I will be in West By God Virginia tearing up the YZ250F for two days :)

Ivan