Advice on uprating gears.

[Hacienda71]

I have recently started to cycle on road on a regular basis and was wondering if it is possible to improve the gearing on my mountain bike most of the time i find myself in top gear and would like a higher gear to up my speed a little. I have already changed my tyres to 1.25" semi slicks. I am running a shimano hyperdrive c setup 21 speed. Is it easiest to get a new cassette with a smaller top gear cog or should i be looking to change the crank end. Any advice would be gratefully received. Chris

 

[alecstilleyedye]

check with a friendly local bike shop, who will be able to tell you what you've got and what you would need to change.

without seeing the bike (or having the gear ratios posted), it's hard to decide definately one way or the other.

it may be that the gearing is ok, it's just that you may need to get used to high cadence riding.

 

[accountantpete]

Sheldon will give you some idea http://www.sheldonbrown.com/k7.html#7cassettes

if you are maxed out on the cassette then obviously a larger chain ring is required.

 

[gbb]

Wot alec says...but i'd add the cheapest choice (i think) would be to see if you can fit a larger chainring...bearing in mind you'd probably (almost certainly) need to re-position the front derailleur.

I say cheapest choice because if you intend to DIY..its easy and no special tools required to change a chainring, where a cassette needs a removal tool and a whip...all extra cost.

Find out the price of a new cassette against a bigger chainring.

Run that by your LBS...see what they think.(assuming you're going to see them at all )