Doing kona in a month wondering what guys run for their cassette. I have a 2012 shiv expert with the stock FSA cranks. Used a 11-28 cassette for the last two Honu races and trained with that last week in kona. Just curious what other guys have for their set up.
Last year I used an 11-25, 53/39. Going to keep the same cassette, going up to a 54/39 for a little extra push on the longer descents.
I have used an 11/23 the last two times in Kona.
I have used an 11/23 the last two times in Kona.
With a regular 53/39? What kinds of top speeds and minimum speeds did you see?
I think I used a 53/39 and 11-25 in Kona. What I noticed:
-I found the 53x12 was too small on a practice day when the wind was blowing down from Hawi, so I switched to an 11. Though on race day last year a 12 would have been fine.
-The hills aren’t very big, so I didn’t find it really mattered what my smallest gear was.
-The biggest issue I found for Kona gearing is what chainring you want to use for cruising into a headwind. Using an ‘easier’ cassette is, in my opinion, a very good choice. Not for the small chainring climbs, but rather so that you can ride in a 53x23 in the windy parts, or the rollers, and not have to change to the small chainring.
Good luck!
I would go with the 11-28 unless the forecast is for calmer winds. I hate to lose momentum by switching back and forth between chainrings and being able to maintain a higher cadence will help save some the legs for the run.
You might also consider doing some roll down testing of an aero tuck. I find that sitting on the top tube resting is faster and easier than trying to turn a 54x11 going downhill. You can really rip and rest on some of those downhills out of Hawi.
I would go with the 11-28 unless the forecast is for calmer winds. I hate to lose momentum by switching back and forth between chainrings and being able to maintain a higher cadence will help save some the legs for the run.
You might also consider doing some roll down testing of an aero tuck. I find that sitting on the top tube resting is faster and easier than trying to turn a 54x11 going downhill. You can really rip and rest on some of those downhills out of Hawi.
This was my strategy, but I am back of pack in Kona (I think 5:21 bike split last year) and used the same gearing. Higher FTP guys like Sentania are likely better off with the 11-23. I went 11-28 and like you did a lot of coasting whenever I could and used the opportunity to fuel. 11-28 also allows me to pretty well do the entire course in the big ring other than Palani
I run a 53/39 and a rear of 12/27 and have found both extremes to cover pretty much everything you’ll see at Kona–the climbs/descents are really pretty modest–the wind is a bigger issue…
Also, when I get to the point where a 53/12 starts to spin out I start to feel pretty nervous and just soft pedal or coast anyways…
I might stick with my 52/39 and use a 11-25. It definitely keeps you out of the small ring and jumping rings as much. You right, it’s that 18-20 mph range that’s a PITA where you’re between rings.
The 11-25 isn’t so much for the 25, but to give you a use-able 21T vs 19T on the cassette with an acceptable chainline. A 11-28 doesn’t improve on that as it still has a 21 as the 3rd cog, then a 24 & 28. So no change there.
…But that’s for 10 speed. 11 speed is a little different. But I’m not upgrading unless someone gives me a bike.
I might stick with my 52/39 and use a 11-25. It definitely keeps you out of the small ring and jumping rings as much. You right, it’s that 18-20 mph range that’s a PITA where you’re between rings.
The 11-25 isn’t so much for the 25, but to give you a use-able 21T vs 19T on the cassette with an acceptable chainline. A 11-28 doesn’t improve on that as it still has a 21 as the 3rd cog, then a 24 & 28. So no change there.
…But that’s for 10 speed. 11 speed is a little different. But I’m not upgrading unless someone gives me a bike.
By the way, with my relatively smaller engine, I was on 50-34 11-28. I would have been fine on 11-25 and 11-23 would have been fine, but then more crossover to the small ring which I would rather not do. I think with your larger engine, 52/39 with 11-25 and you’re set. I also took this gearing to Kona because I wanted to ride Kaloko race week. This is a 5000 foot vertical climb out of Kona with 16 percent grades…so my gear choice was not entirely for the actual racing. Being BOP, the Kona trip is too short to sit around in condo saving my legs to be 5-15 minutes faster. Lots of fun exploring to do. For example some of the nicest riding in Kona is going south past the old “pit” towards Captain Cook etc etc. For me, having the compact and wide range was nice for all that, but certainly for people serious about race times, they don’t need mountain climbing gearing.
. Being BOP, the Kona trip is too short to sit around in condo saving my legs to be 5-15 minutes faster. Lots of fun exploring to do.
Love that approach. Kudos!!!
Doing kona in a month wondering what guys run for their cassette. I have a 2012 shiv expert with the stock FSA cranks. Used a 11-28 cassette for the last two Honu races and trained with that last week in kona. Just curious what other guys have for their set up.
In aus I use 11-21 and was going to use 11-23 but have decided to go 11-25 for kona
I am going 53x39 and 11/28, I am a little guy and will average about 170 watts with a cda around 0.2
I have never done it before, but based on what I am reading, that gearing should allow me to be in the cadence range that I want for all the conditions.
minimum - not sure, but max is 40+.
The last two times I’ve never felt that 11-23 wasn’t adequate with a 53/39 crank.
Dev, I really appreciate your approach (enjoyed your Mauna Kea ride piece) but how do you manage to be comfortably BOP and yet still qualify quite regularly? Seems like you’re in a sweetspot there somehow. Or is it just that qualifying is actually as tough as it is for anyone and then you’ve done it enough to know that you’re not at the pointy end and so just enjoy the experience?
Thanks for all the advice. A lot to think about. Be in kona on the fourth if anyone wants to get together.