Need a bit more speed on a Cannondale CAADX Sora CX

[Opt1mu5Pr1m3]

I have a Cannondale CAADX Sora Cyclocross bike and i could do with a bit more top end speed.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/caadx-sora-2013-cyclocross-bike-ec042906#features

It currently has a 46-36 chainset on the front. Could i swap the 46 for a 50?

I was looking at this one.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products...-compact-50-tooth-chainring-ec028844#features

Cheers

Daz

 

[Rob3rt]

Yes, but you will likely need to move the front mech up a little.

 

[Pedrosanchezo]

Had the same issue on my Caadx with 105. Has 46-36 chainring but the easiest and cheapest way for a bit of speed is the cassette.

You will likely have a 12-30 or something similar. With an 11-30, or similar, you can get around 10% more top end using the 46-11 combo (big ring-small ring). It's a good place to start before you change chainring size as chain length then becomes an issue also.

In fact Wiggle do an 11-28 here for £27.99.

Edit: i see on the link provided that your cassette (if it's the same) is a 12-26. An 11-25 might be a better option. Also available from Wiggle and lots of others.

 

[Dusty Bin]

You are already on road tyres, presumably?

 

[VamP]

How much top end are you looking for? I spin out around 40 mph on my 46-12.

In terms of pure speed there is more mileage in good road tyres with latex tubes, than messing around with your gearing. Unless it really narks you that your mates can get to 45 while you're stuck at 40. Even then a good aero tuck and fast tyres will minimise the difference the few times that ever happens.

 

[sreten]

Hi,

You can up your max gearing but 95%+ of the time is will make no
difference to your maximum speed, it will only effect the maximum
pedalling speed going downhill and at what point you stop pedalling
and adopt a good tuck, and too high speed is essentially pointless.

Most bikes are geared too high, and higher does not make you go faster.

rgds, sreten.

52/42 with 7 speed 14 to 28. Max speed on the flat no wind is
pushing the 18 or 20 on the rear, 16 comes in with a tailwind,
the 14 is a downhill gear only, but I'm no spring chicken.

 

[fossyant]

Just pedal faster.