I asked a similar question in another thread but now I’m looking at these two options.
As before I plan on doing some hilly rides but I like the idea of the 11 tooth for downhill/wind to the back etc.
Any negatives to the 11-28?
The advantage of the 12-27 is having more useful mid range gears to use on the long rolling efforts. It’s probably the ideal all-around cassette. Cranking in 53x11 is a pretty strong push (35+mph I think?). Most people don’t have a need for that. Having said that, most people probably don’t “need” the 16t you get in the 12-27. It’s just a personal preference.
Thanks, Oh I have a compact crankset, too
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Well, that changes things a little. I have a road bike I’ve got set up primarily to climb. I’ve got a compact up front and an 11/28 on the back. It’s great for those looooong ascents. I love it.
So is the 11 not much benefit? I’ve run a 12-27 before.
It’s incremental. Not huge. Honestly, if a burglar broke in and changed my cassette to a 12-27, I’d probably not notice.
Just remember that if you switch to a 11-28, you will need to adjust the chain before going back to a 12-27. Go with one and stick with it. Also I can tell you that a 10% hill in a 34/27 at 250 watts and a 150lb person is a cadence of 70-75, so you will probably use the 28 if you have it.
so a 170 lb person (me) would benefit even more in your example, correct?
I think with a 50T big ring, the 12 comes up JUST short. If you’re not a cadence diva, the 11-28 should be plenty on each end. Maybe not ideal for racing a flat/rolling course, but on a road bike just for riding around, I think it’s great.
it depends how hard you are going and how steep, but imo everybody going up mountains could use more gear. I use a the special rear derr so I can use a 32 and not to cocky but I climb pretty well but love that 32. pro cyclists use 27s and 28 all the time.
Do you mean take links in/out or adjust the derailleur? I ride a mix of 12-23, 12-25 and 11-28 and all seems fine to me.
Do you mean take links in/out or adjust the derailleur? I ride a mix of 12-23, 12-25 and 11-28 and all seems fine to me.
+1
it will work but not in the 39x11 AND the 39x12, the chain will be loose in the 11. you can avoid that gear but it will run better if all 12’s.
I asked a similar question in another thread but now I’m looking at these two options.
As before I plan on doing some hilly rides but I like the idea of the 11 tooth for downhill/wind to the back etc.
Any negatives to the 11-28?
I think you won’t miss the 16 tooth so much on hilly terrain. In my experience, I miss the 16 tooth much more often when the grades change only lightly and gradually. I find myself searching more for just the right gear in those situations.
When the terrain is hillier, I actually appreciate the larger jumps. With more dramatic changes in grade I too often find myself switching 2 gears anyway.
Guess I try to never run the little/little gearing, can’t see the point really. If I’m cranking along I’ll be in the big ring. If I’m climbing its usually in the small ring.
39/11 is the same as 53/15 and puts less stress on the chain.
why not go to an 11-32? I did and sure love it. If you do not live in the hills, forget the comment.
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why not go to an 11-32? I did and sure love it. If you do not live in the hills, forget the comment.
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Well, I don’t live in the hills but am leaning towards the 11-28
I don’t really know what people expect making these threads when we have no idea where you ride or how strong you are. Here is my guide to picking the right cassette:
What cassette do you have now? Do you get spun out when you’re in your big ring/small cog? If so, get something with a smaller small cog. Do you have to mash up hills in your small ring/big cog? Get something with a larger rear cog. Gaps too big between gears? Figure out if you’d rather give up top end or low end.
In California I use a 50/34 with an 11/28 while in Germany I use a 53/39 with an 11/25.
N=1
I have a compact and 11-28. I would NOT want a 12-27 simply because the 12 would cause me to spin out too soon. You may be able to get away with something smaller than a 28 since you’re much lighter than me…depending on the hills where you ride. I’m 195-98 and ride hills frequently FWIW.
If your watts/kg is above 4 then the 28 is probably not necessary…if less then you may want the 28. If much less, you may want more.
N=1
I have a compact and 11-28. I would NOT want a 12-27 simply because the 12 would cause me to spin out too soon. You may be able to get away with something smaller than a 28 since you’re much lighter than me…depending on the hills where you ride. I’m 195-98 and ride hills frequently FWIW.
If your watts/kg is above 4 then the 28 is probably not necessary…if less then you may want the 28. If much less, you may want more.
Even though I have 12-27, I prefer 11-28. For the reasons Keith says…especially on a compact with a 50 tooth large ring. I know some guys also go with 52 big ring and 34 small ring, but I don’t like that massive jump between rings.