I know, I know, this one comes up every year.
I have a SRAM Red 11-26 and did Calif 70.3 last year on it. It was fine but I noticed that SRAM has an 11-28.
What’s the recommendation on cassette choice for this race?
AND
What’s the feedback on the Red 11-28 cassette? How’s the shifting, spacing, etc?
Try a 24
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The 11-28 from sram was, in my mind, BUILT for the CA course. The ca course is tricky for gearing- first 20 miles are bone flat, nad are often very downwind- ive hit 30mph in those sections - so you need your high gears.
On the other hand, that one big hill is a bitch. I climb sitting down, so favor higher cadences- i did it with a compact front and a 12-27 last year. If i didnt have the compact id definetly want hte 12-28.
Im probably going to run compact from, 11-28 this year (didnt have that cassette last year). Tho i think a lot depends on what cadence you like climbing at.
first 20 miles are bone flat,
Bone flat? I’m going to respectfully disagree. I ride the course at least once a week this time of year and maybe the first 3-4 miles are flat, and then it’s a series of rollers and false flats until about mile 18 or so, then 7 miles of flats (one overpass), and then you get into the hills. There are three significant climbs on the backside of the course. That’s followed by a flat into a headwind from about mile 43-53 or so, and a couple of small hills in the last 3 miles. I ride a compact and a 12/27.
Yeah not bone flat, rolling is a better description of the first 20 miles. I used an 11-23 last year and will again this year.
So how many BIG hills are there? How long (distance) are they? I am fricken nervous as I have heard horror stories… Thanks in advance… Monty01
I think I remember 3 climbs, two “biggies”.
I’m going with CC 50/34 and 12/25. Same as last year. I’m not a strong rider so I would go with a 12/27 if I had it.
I agree with TBB, rolling hills and false flat the first 20 mi or so. And three good hill after you reenter the base.
Good luck.
I went with 50/34 - 12/27 the last two years; this year I’m going to give the 50/34 - 12/25 combination a shot.
i know the course well (ridden the front side more times than I can count and the back side a few times…shhhh don’t tell the MP’s) and raced there twice.
front side is rolling. back side has three hills. First is short and steep and requires a small gear. Did it last year with a 12-25, could have used one more gear. Not a huge deal…the 25 was sufficient but I was out of the saddle. The other two climbs on the back are less steep, but slightly longer.
I am going to run an 11-26 with standard (53x39) cranks.
I am assuming all of you are riding Tri bikes? I will be racing Cal for the first time. I have ridden the front side but not the back. My race wheels currently house a DA 11-21. I train on hills quite a bit but have a Ult 12-25 on my training wheels. Ohh, and I ride a 53-39. Anyone think the 11-21 is off limits?
Anyone think the 11-21 is off limits?
It would be for me. I think cassette choice is at least as dependent on rider as it is course. If you’re going to ride the course in 2:10 and weigh 125, it would be fine. If you’re going to ride it in 3:30, a triple would probably the best option.
At 200 lbs. and looking to ride in about 2:45, I’ll using a 39/27 on at least the biggest hill.
Thom
JP - did you say you’d go with a 28 if it was available? I’d be looking at 53X39 up front and either 11-26 or 11-28 on the back. Ideally I want to be in the saddle and spinning at a higher cadence most of the time.
Jack - For me, I think the 28 is unnecessary…I don’t mind getting out of the saddle briefly on the very short steep climb. Of course, a lot depends on the rider…there are some that could climb the first hill in a 23.
If you want to sit up the first climb you might need the 28.
I would say go with the 11-28. I use a 12-27 (when will shimano make that 11-27/28?) up in that area, I like to spin as well!
what are the rest of the cogs? 11-?-?-?-?-?-?-?-?-28?
I think it depends on how you like to climb
-the only hill that really matters for the discussion is the first big steep hill. It has an average grade of 8% for 0.7 miles- you may want to find a similiar hill near you and experiment.
-i can do that course in under 2:30, but im big, and i like spinning on hills and not standing up. I use a compact front and the 11/29 cassette- need the 11 for the fast downwind sections, and the 29 so i can stay sitting down and cadence in the 75 range for that one big hill
-rest of the course has no steep bits to really concern yourself with
in a side note- the race officials are OBSESSED with safety on this left hand downhill turn at around mile 30. Someone was killed there a few years ago (on a rainy day). I know i will get flamed for this, but in dry weather, you can go really fast on this corner and its no big deal at all. Despite what everyone would have you think, you do NOT need to slow down much at this point.
Despite what everyone would have you think, you do NOT need to slow down much at this point.
Unless of course you want to follow the rules. Isn’t this the section where they implemented a 25 mph speed limit? It was pretty frustrating riding the brakes down as people flew by me as they were being yelled at by the marshals.
Thom
Despite what everyone would have you think, you do NOT need to slow down much at this point.
Unless of course you want to follow the rules. Isn’t this the section where they implemented a 25 mph speed limit? It was pretty frustrating riding the brakes down as people flew by me as they were being yelled at by the marshals.
Thom
In complete agreement. People who don’t slow down are cheating. Period. Because those of us who follow the rules are stuck on the brakes for 1/2 mile.
Jodi