From Hybrid-Roadbike problems?

[kimolsen]

I have recently made the transition from Hybrid to Roadbike, purchasing a second hand Cannondale with full Ultegra brakes and gears.

Since using the new bike a couple of times i am finding that climbing steep hills is torture compared with the hybrid. A mate of mine has also bought a new Scott roadbike and previously on the hybrid i was well ahead, now i am miles behind.

Could this be due to the amount of teeth on both front and rear chainrings?

If so what would be the best course of action and the cheapest way to sort it?

Secondly the right shifter is very tempremental, do i need to change both?

Could i pick a cheap secondhand one up?

If i don't go with Ultegra which would be the next best thing?

 

[RedBike]

Could this be due to the amount of teeth on both front and rear chainrings?

It could be. Whereas you could 'twiddle' up the hills now you're being forced to use brute strength. There could aslo be some problem with the bike?

If so what would be the best course of action and the cheapest way to sort it?

To practice riding the climbs and get fitter!

You haven't said which Cannondale you've got but Dales' are known for their stiffness / efficient frame. This normally makes them great up hills!

You could always fit a larger cassette or a compact chainset. You will probably need to start a new thread listing exactly what parts you've got so that someone can advise you on what you'll need and what will fit You're looking at about £50 for the cassette. About £150 for the chainset (Although you MIGHT also need a new chains / rear mech/ cables.)

Secondly the right shifter is very tempremental, do i need to change both?

You don't need to change both. However, they're typically only sold in pairs.
Occationally you can find someone selling singles.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?PartnerID=79&ModelID=28071
You don't want to know how much a new set of Ultegra shifters costs!

 

[kimolsen]

You don't need to change both. However, they're typically only sold in pairs.
Occationally you can find someone selling singles.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?PartnerID=79&ModelID=28071
You don't want to know how much a new set of Ultegra shifters costs![/quote]

Thanks for your help, do they normally need replacing after a few years or can they generally be repaired?

Not sure if my LBS may well be trying it on.

 

[eldudino]

Have you had the bike serviced? It might be worth taking it to the LBS and seeing if they can service the whole thing for you, tune the gears, highlight any problems so you're starting safe in the knowledge your bike's as good as it can be.

 

[RedBike]

Thanks for your help, do they normally need replacing after a few years or can they generally be repaired?

Your LBS can probably order in some spare bits; but be warned they're often seriously expensive.

The shifters normally last for years. I've never known anybody wear out an high end Ultegra/Dura-ace lever. It normally takes a crash or serveral years of serious wet weather winter use to finish them off.

 

[just4fun]

i'd get the bike serviced at a trustworthy LBS which may or may not solve the tempremental shifting problem.
As for torture i recently switched to a road bike, i test rode the bike with its double chainset and found i couldnt cycle in 3rd gear + easily because i didnt have the leg strength. I asked the LBS to change the double to a compact chainset which meant lower gears to use. I still find the hills more challenging than my mtb but a hell of a lot easier than using a double. This cost me an extra £100 and i went for the Ultegra SL upgrade i was told it would be £60 for the 105 set which is the one down from normal ultegra. I was told this was on last years price and not the current increased prices (although i dont know if thats true or not.)

Speak to a trusted bike shop and see what they have to say once they have seen the bike and then you will get a good idea of your options.

 

[Marin Maniac]

I'm the opposite. I made the same transitiona and now find that I'm faster up hills on my Boardman Comp with compact chainset.

Cannondale - Nice bike, enjoy!

 

[kimolsen]

Thanks for your help chaps.

I have opted to fit a larger cassette for the time being and i have already noticed a big difference on the uphill climb.

My bike has been booked in at the LBS for a full service at a cost of £60 so hopefully they will be able to sort the problem with the shifter then.

 

[Tynan]

it can only be a matter of gear ratios surely, a road bike should go up a hill just fine, what is the ratio on the small/big cogs?

and what's the hill like?

 

[RedBike]

My bike has been booked in at the LBS for a full service at a cost of £60 so hopefully they will be able to sort the problem with the shifter then.

I seriously doubt a £60 service will cover any repairs to the shifter.
However, the shifting problems might be caused by worn cables / miss-aligned indexing, which a service should sort out.