to climb something like today’s Tour de France stage? I know they can crank enormous amounts of power but I’m curious what gear, for example, Rasmussen used during today’s long, painful climb. Anyone know?
He used what he is paid to use.
Did someone pay Chicken to ride a 53/39 with an 11-23 cassette? That’s a new one.
To the OP’s point, I recall reading that LA would typically roll a 53-39 with an 11-25 in the rear on big climbing days.
Yeah, they ride “standard” gearing - I mean, NO compact cranks. 53/39 with an 11 small and 23 or 25 big. Even skinny dudes like Rasmussen can really crank out some serious speed up the hills - amazing really.
You can check out all the pros bike specs on velonews - they get pretty detailed.
Actually, I remember Basso using compact cranks back in the day when his climbing started to improve a lot. We now know that it wasn’t the cranks.
Many will ride compacts on the Port du Bales. And those who don’t will wish they had.
Eurosport were answering a viewers question in that none of the peleton will need triples for this tour, or even compacts.
Theres no mad climbs like they sometimes thrown in on the Vuelta, and these guys are seriously strong, and seriously light. They just aren’t normal !
I had the impression that the OP was asking what equipment (gear) Rasmussen was using.
Does Shimano make an 11-25 cassette?
I had the impression that the OP was asking what equipment (gear) Rasmussen was using.
No, I was asking about actual gearing. I thought about it today as I struggled up a nice climb in my lowest gear (34-23). I thought I may benefit from a new cassette with maybe a 25. Instead, I guess what I really need is to drop 20 lbs. and train more. 
I think 11-25 sounds about right. I did see an article on cyclingnews that mentioned some guys using a 27 on the back for the Giro this year due to a CRAZY climb (ended up getting shortened due to snow–still an INSANE climb). I’m not a wrench so I don’t know if a 27 is even possible, but I imagine it really depends on who you are talking about. I wouldn’t be surprised if the sprinters threw a huge cog in the back and just spun up as easy as possible without being timed out.
To the OP’s point, I recall reading that LA would typically roll a 53-39 with an 11-25 in the rear on big climbing days.
I don’t think Shimano made/makes an 11-25, but I suppose LA might have had a one-off.
I understand it’s not too hard to build an 11-25 from a Shimano 11-23 and 12-25, but I’ve never done it.
I personally ride just about everything (including an 11 mile 4700 ft climb in Utah) on my tri bike with 53-39 12-25, but will occasionally throw on a 12-27 if the grades become insane. And I’m not nearly as light (200+) or strong (obvious point) as the tour riders.
To be honest, I read this blurb several years ago (2001?) when his mechanic was discussing the gear selection for various stages, and he could have said “12-25”, or simply “a 25 in the rear”. I really don’t recall, but was left with the impression that it was an 11-25. FWIW, he used to use Mavic cassettes, so an 11-25 is not out of the question.
Hi.
Yes, Shimano have a 11-25 cassette…It is the HG 105/10.
Good Stuff!