I have: 53 X 39 standard with 11-26 cassette
Would the following be better?
54 X 39 with 11-28
Thoughts?
You won’t have much use for a 54 up front at IMWI - stick with the standard crank and the 11-26.
I agree w/ the comment that there is no use for a 54 on IMMoo.
I run standard cranks and 12-27 for IMMoo. FWIW, I run a 404 front and disc rear. This combo has served me well over the last 3 years.
Unless you are bjorn, I think you are crazy to ride with IMWI with anything other then a ?x27.
I rode it on an 11x23 my first time (rookie, didn’t know better) - Ouch
IMWI #2 - 12x25 - Better
IMWI #3 - 12x27 - Awesome
That’s with 700 wheels and a 53x39 up front.
I would suggest trying to roll with a 10 speed - for me the 16 is a nice sweet spot.
I remember going up the first “climb” into Mt. Horeb, seeing a bunch of people grinding it out – standing, even – in their 39 x 21, and thinking to myself, “Have fun on lap 2!”
I’m glad I learned about cassettes, that’s all I have to say. 39 x 27 'til I die,
mm
In the SRAM group of products…
Buy an 11-28 - Red cassette 160g
Buy a 12-27 - Force cassette 210g
or go to SHI and get Dura Ace or Ultegra 12-27
???
In the SRAM group of products…
Buy an 11-28 - Red cassette 160g
Buy a 12-27 - Force cassette 210g
or go to SHI and get Dura Ace or Ultegra 12-27
???
Boy, an 11-28 is a hell of a spread. Go for it if you think you can find the sweet spot in that set up. For me, it would be missing too many “middle” gears.
I run SRAM Red front and back w/ Red bar end shifters. But, I run a DA standard crank w/ SRM and I run a Shimano Ultegra 12-27 cassette. The Ultegra is a bit heavier, but, I find it to be more reliable and a bit stronger than DA (that’s just me, just my personal opinion). That has been perfect for 3 IMWI races and countless training rides on the IMWI course.
I’ll let you know how it goes, I just bought the Red 11-28 cassette - $167 delivered was a steal and couldn’t pass it up. I may snag a demo Force 12-27 from my LBS and compare.
2X this
always nice to have an extra gear if you need on the second loop
53 x 39 and 12-25 worked nice
darryl
.
I’ll let you know how it goes, I just bought the Red 11-28 cassette - $167 delivered was a steal and couldn’t pass it up. I may snag a demo Force 12-27 from my LBS and compare.
Damn! Where did you get that deal? I would have done the same. Too good to pass that deal.
eBay…brand new in box, never mounted, $158 BIN + $9 ship. Not too shabby. Looks legit.
I think its worth a try. Shop says no problem with chain length and getting it dialed in. Key is to get the legs, cadence and power dialed in.
I ran a 53x39 with an 11-26 also there the last two years.
The 26 comes in handy the second time up the big hills. Lets you spin away.
That gearing was fine, IMO, for the course.
I rode a 53/39 with a 12-25 in 2006.
In 2008 I rode a 52/36 compact with an 11-26 SRAM on the back and absolutely loved the gear ratios.
I felt that I was a better cyclist in 2008 so that helps, but I always had a perfect gear with the 2008 setup.
Either way, you want to be able to spin up easy and be able to keep steady power over the top and the backside of the rollers. Just make sure you have the bike well tuned for lots of gear changes. You’ll be amazed how often you are going from small to big ring and through a lot of gears on the back end.
Best of luck.