I just bought a carbon wheel set and have a 53/39 crankset. What would the best cassette setup be? 12/25 or would an 11 be better?
How fast will you be riding?
I would think - a 12-21.
that would provide plenty of range for a flat course- without ever leaving the 53.
If you’re not a strong cyclist, then perhaps a 12-23. Me- I’d still need the 39/25 for the flats, but I’m really really weak.
when you ride similar terrain now- do you find yourself needing something bigger than a 53/12 or smaller (easier) than a 39/23? If you tend to use your biggest and smallest gears, then don’t go tighter. if you never find yourself getting to the limits, then you can tighten it up. But your legs and cadence are unique and ultimately, only you can decide.
I think I need a triple chainring on my tri bike.
Depending on your level of ability there are a lot of varying options. Top riders I’d recommend a 11-23. That’s the stuff chris lieto rocks.
That 11 is nice to have on the flat.
No way you’re pushing a 53x11 on the flats. Not without a massive tailwind anyway…
Are you going to go over 40mph? Is your cadence 60? Then 12 will suffice.
I push a 53X11 at 80rpm on the flats in training fairly regularly
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11-23 or 11-25. My preference is the 25 simply because it can allow me to stay in the big ring up rollers without changing my cadence significantly. You can also get a little bit more variation with the gears with the 25.
If it was a short course that had lots of loops, then a 21 or 23 might make sense, but otherwise a 25 might be the better choice.
Thanks to everyone. I think I’ll go 11/25 as I did feel like I could have used an 11 on the flats last race but am not a strong climber so 23 would be too tough for me.
50/34 with the 11.
I push a 53X11 at 80rpm on the flats in training fairly regularly
I bow before thee.
I considered that anyone who would use a 53/11 on the flats… would have enough time on the bike to know what kind of cassette he (or she) would need. and that the OP would likely not be in this category.
I push 53x11. Downhill. At 90rpm. And I’m going 45mph.
12-23. Fine in the headwinds or Tailwinds on a flat course for most folks.
I push a 53X11 at 80rpm on the flats in training fairly regularly
650c?
http://www.machars.net/bikecalc.htm
53x11 @ 80rpm would be 30mph.
I too bow to that… More than a mere mortal.
That’s correct, but you’ve seen me before 
That’s about 28-29mph on my bike, gonna need more gear if I have to ride in your windy city again.
jaretj
Thanks but there are a lot of people here that are faster than I am on the bike, and I ride 650’s.
I just need that much gear to do my zone 4 intervals at my selected cadence.
I asked him how fast he rides but didn’t notice a reply so it’s difficult to recommend a gear for him. But whatever gear puts the majority of training near the middle of the cassette would be a good choice.
I just bought a carbon wheel set and have a 53/39 crankset. What would the best cassette setup be? 12/25 or would an 11 be better?
its flat so it doesn’t make any difference.