Cassette - teeth range - (10 speed tourer with triple chainring)

[Smuggs]

Hi fellow cycle aficionados!
Looking for some advice on upping the range of my rear 10 speed cassette on my touring bike.
currently have a triple chainring with 52/39/30 ratio and a 12-27 cassette.
I’m finding that when fully loaded, I‘m really struggling on the 10% plus hills ( of which there are plenty in Cornwall!)
Can I keep the same chainring setup, but increase the rear cassette to say 11- 32. Would the gears need to be re- indexed?
Thanks Smuggs.

 

[vickster]

What rear mech do you have? May need to extend or replace. Plus new chain

 

[Smuggs]

What rear mech do you have? May need to extend or replace. Plus new chain

Hi Vickster and thanks for the reply. I’ve got a Shimano Deore XT rear mech. I would normally change the chain when changing cassette.

 

[Sharky]

The only benefit for the hills is the switch from a 27t to a 32t.

If you go for an 11-32 cassette, then there will be wider gaps in the middle and you might lose a sweet spot on the not so hilly roads.

Try something with a larger small cog, then you will be more likely to preserve the middle ratios.

 

[Smuggs]

The only benefit for the hills is the switch from a 27t to a 32t.

If you go for an 11-32 cassette, then there will be wider gaps in the middle and you might lose a sweet spot on the not so hilly roads.

Try something with a larger small cog, then you will be more likely to preserve the middle ratios.

Thanks Sharky, so would you recommend keeping the 12 small ring and maybe only going to say 30?

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Hi Vickster and thanks for the reply. I’ve got a Shimano Deore XT rear mech. I would normally change the chain when changing cassette.

It’ll likely cope with up to 36t , but if you know full model number it can be confirmed.

 

[Smuggs]

It’ll likely cope with up to 36t , but if you know full model number it can be confirmed.

Thanks…did you mean the bike model number or the rear mech?

 

[Spiderweb]

An 11-32 cassette will work fine with the Deore XT rear mech, I doubt it will need re-indexing either.
You will probably need a longer chain.

 

[Sharky]

Thanks Sharky, so would you recommend keeping the 12 small ring and maybe only going to say 30?

Just tried googling for you and could not find many options. A lot are out of stock.

To help with the hills you need something bigger than the 27t you currently have, then go for anything bigger than an 11t for the smallest sprocket.

52x12 is a massive gear. I used to race on a 52x14 and that was large enough.

Good luck

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Thanks…did you mean the bike model number or the rear mech?

The derailleur, the bike model is irrelevant, the former determines max number of teeth

 

[Smuggs]

An 11-32 cassette will work fine with the Deore XT rear mech, I doubt it will need re-indexing either.
You will probably need a longer chain.

Thanks for that👍

 

[presta]

Thanks…did you mean the bike model number or the rear mech?

Deore is just the name of the series, lots of different mechs carry the same name. It should have a part number stamped on it with a format like 'RD-M530' or some such. With that you can lookup the specification, and find its maximum sprocket size and maximum capacity.

 

[Smuggs]

The derailleur, the bike model is irrelevant, the former determines max number of teeth

Thanks Ming👍

 

[Smuggs]

Deore is just the name of the series, lots of different mechs carry the same name. It should have a part number stamped on it with a format like 'RD-M530' or some such. With that you can lookup the specification, and find its maximum sprocket size and maximum capacity.

Ideal thanks Presta … I’ll do that👍

 

[Smuggs]

Just tried googling for you and could not find many options. A lot are out of stock.

To help with the hills you need something bigger than the 27t you currently have, then go for anything bigger than an 11t for the smallest sprocket.

52x12 is a massive gear. I used to race on a 52x14 and that was large enough.

Good luck

Thanks very much Sharky, that’s very helpful and appreciated👍