Putting together a 105 11-speed setup

[RoubaixCube]

Just attempting to price up some parts given that theres a multi-buy offer on Merlin Cycles

So far, ive got the gear kit & the chain but the last thing i cant decide on because im still new to all this is understanding cassette ratios.

Theres a choice of 11-25, 11-28, 11-32 and i run a compact 50/34 chainset.

Can somebody just be blunt and tell me what ratio is good for what sort of riding so i can make a decision? I think 11-32 is good for hills etc etc (i think ive just answered my own question??)

11-28 = fast
11-25 = faster ???


Thanks

 

[simon.r]

11 - 32 has biggest jumps between gears and the lowest (easiest) gear.
11 - 25 has smallest jumps between gears and the highest (hardest) gear.
11 - 28 in the middle.

11 - 28 is probably the best option (with a 50/34 chainset) if you're a fairly average rider who doesn't ride up many mountains.

 

[vickster]

What groupset do you have at the mo, what cassette? No point upgrading 10 speed 105 to 11 unless it's faulty or you have money to burn

 

[simon.r]

If you've got a few minutes it's worth putting the numbers in a gear calculator so you can see the differences.

Example - http://sheldonbrown.com/gear-calc.html

 

[simon.r]

I *think* you'll need to check whether you have a long or short cage rear mech, as a 11 - 32 needs a long cage.

 

[RoubaixCube]

What group meet do you have at the mo? No point upgrading 10 speed 105 to 11 unless it's faulty or you have money to burn

no group - I just like shiney things -- the change was to take advantage of the smoother shifting and the extra gearing.

I *think* you'll need to check whether you have a long or short cage rear mech, as a 11 - 32 needs a long cage.

Poop - multi-buy option is shortcage only. Though im currently running an 11-32 - I distinctly remember hearing the guy i bought the Triban off saying that as he used it as his training bike.

 

[vickster]

no group - I just like shiney things -- the change was to take advantage of the smoother shifting and the extra gearing.
.

Typo, should have read groupset

 

[RoubaixCube]

Typo, should have read groupset

105 5700, though chainset is a Tiagra

 

[vickster]

It's your money

 

[Citius]

Can somebody just be blunt and tell me what ratio is good for what sort of riding so i can make a decision? I think 11-32 is good for hills etc etc (i think ive just answered my own question??)

The numbers are fairly self-explanatory, aren't they?

 

[the snail]

11-28 = fast
11-25 = faster ???


Thanks

None of them is "faster" - they all have the same 11T tallest gear, you just lose the lowest ratios going from 32->28->25, the advantage being that the gears are more closely spaced. So which to choose depends on how low a gear you need - if you don't need a 32T sprocket get the 11-28, if you don't need 28T get the 11-25. If you're happy with what you've got, save your money, lots of better ways to spend £300.

 

[RoubaixCube]

None of them is "faster" - they all have the same 11T tallest gear, you just lose the lowest ratios going from 32->28->25, the advantage being that the gears are more closely spaced. So which to choose depends on how low a gear you need - if you don't need a 32T sprocket get the 11-28, if you don't need 28T get the 11-25. If you're happy with what you've got, save your money, lots of better ways to spend £300.

the way it works out is i would be spending £181 - Not to mention the money i'd get back for selling my 10 speed 105 parts on ebay.

In essence Id be getting a 11 speed 105 set up for a little over £100

 

[Citius]

Still a lot of money to buy an extra sprocket that you probably won't notice anyway....

 

[RoubaixCube]

Still a lot of money to buy an extra sprocket that you probably won't notice anyway....

Its not just the 'extra sprocket' though - theres a lot more to the 5800 then the 5700

 

[vickster]

Are your wheels compatible?

Don't forget to order new cables while you are at it and presumably you have the tools required