SuperDave wrote:
surroundhound wrote:
Thanks SD, I was wondering about the gearing. I'm suffering on the climbs right now on an 11-23t and 39-53 in front (I've picked up a new cassette for the DA to help this issue)... 650c wheels. Do you think I'll be comfortable on the 12-25t with the stock crankset on the AR5? Or is the cassette something I should be looking to swap out if I'm doing any climbing?
Gearing is such a difficult specification. When I lived in Michigan I could get away with 53/42t crankset and 12-25t cassettes. Now that I'm in SoCal I struggle with a 52/36 crankset and 12-27t cassette for some of the steep stuff or long sustained climbs in the mountains. For each individual I think gearing needs to reflect your riding style and terrain. I can't guess where the consumer is going to live that picks up the Felt so we often use a middle of the road range. Felt Dealers are often asked to exchange the stock components for similar priced items that better suit your aforementioned needs. Check on a 11-28t cassette and/or a swap to a full compact 50/34t crankset for a more apt climbing machine. Don't be afraid to ask to get the bike set up as you want it from your Felt Dealer. Even with a small upcharge to swap the parts you'll be happier with your bike in the end vs. what I've cobbled together for the everyman. -SD I had the same thoughts- I live in Northern Kentucky which is pretty hilly. Here's a typical route of mine so you can see how it matches your typical terrain. Usually a Cat 4 climb, or a few, so grades in the 6-10% range for 1/2 to 2 miles or so. Hills, not mountains, but enough to where my old bike's 53/39 and 13-23 combination was killing me. I did exactly as Dave recommends and had the dealer change it to an 11-28t cassette when they built up the bike, which they did with no problem at all and at a fairly low cost (I want to say around $50? Can't remember exactly). I'm now much happier with it on climbs, certainly it's not the bike holding me back now, just my level of fitness. I need to climb more hills...
https://www.strava.com/activities/243385275 I have even run into some short 20%+ grades and not had to walk, so I don't think I need to go any taller, and 52/11 is great on long, straight downhills. With 11-speed, there aren't any really big gaps.
Also, regarding the wind, I certainly notice it more on the AR relative to my old round tube bike, and I'm not very heavy either (5'5", 140lbs), but I haven't felt out of control or blown into traffic. Just an observation, didn't mean to worry you with it.