11-23 cassette on 50 34 chainset

[ctrallying]

hi i am changing my cassette on my compact chainset to an 11-23 from a 12-27 to try and give me bigger gears,my question is would i need to shorten my chain or is it an easy swap.

 

[Will1985]

What's wrong with a 12-23? That 11 is massive.

1 tooth shouldn't make a difference - I'm swapping between 12 and 13 all the time. At the other end it just means that the derailleur cage won't be pulled as far forward. You could probably take out a link if you wanted.

 

[jpembroke]

50/34 with a 12-27 cassette is an ideal set-up. I'd leave it be if I were you.

 

[Gerry Attrick]

50/24 with a 12-27 cassette is an ideal set-up. I'd leave it be if I were you.

+1 to that. It is what I run on my road bike and have done for a long time. I've only ever run out of gears once on a very long downhill stretch that even a pal on an S-Works with full race gearing only just bettered my top speed. Save your cash.

 

[yello]

50/24 with a 12-27 cassette is an ideal set-up. I'd leave it be if I were you.

You do mean 50/34 don't you?

 

[jpembroke]

LOL.

Yes, I do mean 34. Not sure what my front mech would make of 50/24. It'd either laugh at me or unclip and b*gger off in a huff.

 

[Will1985]

We don't know where the OP is from - a compact with 12-27 might make sense where there are hills, but 12-23 makes a lot more sense where it is flat.

 

[yello]

I figured. Yes, it'd be a helluva front mech that'd handle that!

 

[jpembroke]

I figured. Yes, it'd be a helluva front mech that'd handle that!

It'd be about 6" long and point down at a 45 degree angle.

 

[youngoldbloke]

apologies for hijacking, but while you are all out there pondering this .... I was thinking of doing the opposite - changing from 11-25 to 12-27 - would I need to lengthen the chain?

 

[jpembroke]

Hmm, if there's anything more perfect than 12-27, it's probably 11-25.

 

[Flying Dodo]

If you live anywhere with real hills, I'd prefer to have 11-27.

 

[youngoldbloke]

- yes - but I'm running Campag, and I can actually get a 12-27 cassette (BBB) Never seen an 11-27!

 

[Young Un]

13-23, g'wan you know you want to

 

[Flying Dodo]

- yes - but I'm running Campag, and I can actually get a 12-27 cassette (BBB) Never seen an 11-27!

I'll admit I had to amalgamate 2 cassettes, to get an 11-27!

Perhaps I ought to try and sell the spare sprockets on ebay.......