i ride but that doesn't mean i know exactly what i'm riding...

[kedab]

so, if you'll indulge a slightly ignorant post, i'd like to ask a question:

I'm aware that the cassette is the cluster of sprockets at the back and that the crankset is at the front and that both of these are responsible for setting my legs ablaze on a regular basis...my TCR comes equipped with the following but, what do the numbers really mean? I know, ignorant, like I said - feel free to burn me as a charlatan but a simple explanation for a simpleton would be quite handy...

Cassette Shimano Tiagra 12x28

Crankset
FSA Omega Exo,34/50

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

simply that the numbers equate to the number of teeth on the rings and as you have probably worked out, this equates to how hard life is/can be on hills/inclines/headwinds etc...

 

[kedab]

simply that the numbers equate to the number of teeth on the rings and as you have probably worked out, this equates to how hard life is/can be on hills/inclines/headwinds etc...

soooooo....cassette being 12x28 means that there are 12 rings, each with 28 teeth on them?

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

soooooo....cassette being 12x28 means that there are 12 rings, each with 28 teeth on them?

sorry no.
the smallest has 12 teeth, the largest has 28. each one is stamped (visible if clean) with how many teeth they have, but cassettes are typically given as 8 speed 11-28 or 9 speed. 12-28.... what lies in between depends on the manufacturer and how many 'speeds' you have.

 

[kedab]

sorry no.
the smallest has 12 teeth, the largest has 28. each one is stamped (visible if clean) with how many teeth they have, but cassettes are typically given as 8 speed 11-28 or 9 speed. 12-28.... what lies in between depends on the manufacturer and how many 'speeds' you have.

ahhhhh! i do believe i'm beginning to understand. many, many thanks satnav

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Yes, 12-28 is less misleading than 12x28

 

[Peteaud]

The smaller the front (chainring) the easier it is
The smaller the rear (cassette) the harder it is.

 

[kedab]

Yes, 12-28 is less misleading than 12x28

i'll be getting the toothbrush and bike cleaning stuffs out on my day off and fit this info' in to my tiny little mind.

 

[ianrauk]

The 12-28 is the range and amount of teeth of the cassette.
So the cassette will have (I guess) 10 speeds of the following teeth count 12. 13. 14. 15. 17. 19. 21. 23. 25. 28.
12 the the highest (fastest) gear, 28 the lowest (slowest) gear,

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

i'll be getting the toothbrush and bike cleaning stuffs out on my day off and fit this info' in to my tiny little mind.

wouldn't worry about in until you need to replace the cassette. just change gear and work out what is easier for you when you ride.

 

[kedab]

marvelous. as always CC. i thank you all

 

[ianrauk]

Your crankset is what's called a compact double. It has a smaller amount of teeth then a normal standard double.

So the outer rings has 50 teeth, the inner 34. So the outer is your high gears (fast), the inner is your lower gears (slow)

 

[kedab]

cheers ian - what's the advantage a compact crankset? easier to ride?

 

[ufkacbln]

However ....

You should never use small front to small back or large back to large front as this puts strain on the system

 

[ianrauk]

cheers ian - what's the advantage a compact crankset? easier to ride?

Less teeth, so it's gear range is smaller, so yes it's easier.