Carrera Tdf cassette
- Thread starter dave147
- Start date
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Stevec047
Über Member
- Location
- Saffron Walden
I have a carrera virtuoso have been riding since October.
In all honesty I would work through the climbs with what you have got the bikes do seem to run out of gears and I am forever trying to go for a lower gear on the steep and not so steep climbs.
The bikes aren't worth upgrading as such as they are the basic of basic road bikes the best thing you can do is save the money you would spend on upgrades and spend it on a mid range alloy bike with better components which can be upgraded over time. Far more beneficial and it also means you have a cheap winter bike at the end of the day.
There are plenty of options you could go for in terms of the rear cassette as the set up is pretty universal so it's just a case of speaking to your local lbs and see what they have available that would suit your riding style and regular routes.
In all honesty I would work through the climbs with what you have got the bikes do seem to run out of gears and I am forever trying to go for a lower gear on the steep and not so steep climbs.
The bikes aren't worth upgrading as such as they are the basic of basic road bikes the best thing you can do is save the money you would spend on upgrades and spend it on a mid range alloy bike with better components which can be upgraded over time. Far more beneficial and it also means you have a cheap winter bike at the end of the day.
There are plenty of options you could go for in terms of the rear cassette as the set up is pretty universal so it's just a case of speaking to your local lbs and see what they have available that would suit your riding style and regular routes.
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DCLane
Found in the Yorkshire hills ...
- Location
- Dewsbury, West Yorkshire
@dave147 - if it's 7-speed you might get a 12-28 but that's as far as it'll probably go. Wiggle do a 12-28 Shimano HG50 one for £10: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-cs-hg50-7-speed-cassette/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&sku=5360494137&ci_src=18615224&ci_sku=5360494137uk&utm_source=google&utm_term&utm_campaign=UK_PLA_Sale&utm_medium=base&utm_content=sghJLUGxr_dc|pcrid|75590493182|pkw||pmt||prd|5360494137uk
You're limited due to the 7-speed nature of the bike. They're fine to get used to; I commute on a Carrera Virago from 2002 which has been upgraded and used a Virtuoso (similar to the TDF) as a winter bike previously.
The 28 ring would help with climbing; you've probably got a 52-42 front chainring setup so a smaller front chainring (39 tooth) would help as well.
As to speed, 52 front and 12 on the back is fine - just increase your cadence (pedal speed).
You're limited due to the 7-speed nature of the bike. They're fine to get used to; I commute on a Carrera Virago from 2002 which has been upgraded and used a Virtuoso (similar to the TDF) as a winter bike previously.
The 28 ring would help with climbing; you've probably got a 52-42 front chainring setup so a smaller front chainring (39 tooth) would help as well.
As to speed, 52 front and 12 on the back is fine - just increase your cadence (pedal speed).
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
I would check if it is a frewheel or cassette .........
Im am guessing if its 7 speed its a freewheel that looks like this ....
Indeed the specs list a 14-28 which sounds like a freewheel with a 50 tooth big ring if you have this bike ...
You can get freewheels with 13-28, you would need a free wheel removal tool as well or see your lbs to see if they can change
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/ventura-7-speed-freewheel-13-28t-prod36913/
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/shimano-tl-fw30-multiple-freewheel-remover-prod870/
which would give you a slightly higher gear but you could also look at what speed or cadence you are pedaling your legs at , you dont say what speed you are doing in your fastest gear but i dont get into 50 x14 ( your fastest gear ) untill at least doing 20 mph+ and its doesnt feel sweet till im doing about 21- 22 mph , a 50 x 13 which would be your fastest gear would see me doing 24 mph + or so comfortably.
In fact that calculation means i need to be really pushing an easier gear faster because that gives me anaverage cadence of 80 rpm which although it falls into the range, the preferred average is around 90 rpm which is 27 mph on a 50 x 13 or 25 mph on a 50x 14 which is your top gear based on the above assumptions .
Im am guessing if its 7 speed its a freewheel that looks like this ....
Indeed the specs list a 14-28 which sounds like a freewheel with a 50 tooth big ring if you have this bike ...
You can get freewheels with 13-28, you would need a free wheel removal tool as well or see your lbs to see if they can change
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/ventura-7-speed-freewheel-13-28t-prod36913/
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/shimano-tl-fw30-multiple-freewheel-remover-prod870/
which would give you a slightly higher gear but you could also look at what speed or cadence you are pedaling your legs at , you dont say what speed you are doing in your fastest gear but i dont get into 50 x14 ( your fastest gear ) untill at least doing 20 mph+ and its doesnt feel sweet till im doing about 21- 22 mph , a 50 x 13 which would be your fastest gear would see me doing 24 mph + or so comfortably.
In fact that calculation means i need to be really pushing an easier gear faster because that gives me anaverage cadence of 80 rpm which although it falls into the range, the preferred average is around 90 rpm which is 27 mph on a 50 x 13 or 25 mph on a 50x 14 which is your top gear based on the above assumptions .
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
Indeed i can only go on what information i have and what i can find on the interweb
Lifted from this post ....
http://www.bikeshd.co.uk/posts/carrera-tdf-mens-ltd-road-bike
Hey if im wrong then great , the OP has a cassette and it will be easier to change parts , but if he has as 12-26 i would have thought it was 8 speed as i know for a fact the virtuoso used to come with a 12-26 and the old yellow tdf was 8 speed either with claris or shimano 2300 but with a larger chainring which meant they were overgeared .
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
Maybe but im not trying to confuse the issue .
Just to double check are you sure it is not TZ21 instead of TX21? If it is TZ21 then it is a freewheel.
biggs682
Itching to get back on my bike's
- Location
- Northamptonshire
one i sold a while back had a screw on block
