I currently have a 11-23 cassette on my bike but after killing myself on some steep stuff this weekend I’d like to look into getting a cassette with a bigger range. My chain is only 130 miles old and I’d rather not replace it.
How big can I go without changing the chain? 25? 27?
I jump back and forth between an 11-21 and a 12-26 with the same chain and have no problems.
Your username is cool.
Ive been thinking about changing to a 11-21 for flat races, need another gear for downhills and flats. Does it make a difference?
I run 12-23, 12-25, and 12-27 all on the same bike, same chain.
Mine happens to be Ult. 9-speed. I don’t think 10spd would be any different.
(and the cassette certainly doesn’t matter, mine are D/A, 105, and Ult)
But - it really comes down to how ‘toight’ yer chain currently is. As long as you don’t go big-big on front and back (or even big/2nd largest cog, both of which are bad for the chainline anyway) you should be fine. YMMV.
You have a crush on Chest Rockwell do you Tom?
11-23 to 12-26 easily.
9 or 10 speed? The 9 speed has some good gears in it that the 11-23 doesn’t have.
10 speed is a wash, IMO. You can also get a Mavic or Cycle-Dynamics cassette and build your own from the ground up - best method.
I also change between different cassette sizes on the same bike. I think the only time you need to worry about chain length is when you change chainrings.