Time for a new bike, your thoughts......

[Wigbank]

Well, Sunday just gone I completed my 2nd sportive the stoke tour ride.

I think it's about time to invest in a new ride!! At the min I'm on a decathlon 7.1 sport and has served me well. It's an 8 speed cassette compact chain ring.

The main problem is my climbing is absolutely p**s poor. So I'm looking for a new bike that will have different gearing that will help me climb a lot easier. This is where you come in. Is it better for me to go for a 10 speed compact chain ring, or go for a triple??

My budget is £800 tops.

Many thanks in advance

 

[Kbrook]

Depends on what the gearing is on the front chainrings and rear cassette on both the triple and compact. I have a compact with a 50/34 and a 12/28 rear and my mate has a triple. He has only got one more lower gear than me . Get a 28 or a 30 t rear cassette and you should be fine with a compact.

 

[Kbrook]

What size rear cassette have you got?

 

[Wigbank]

What size rear cassette have you got?

Without going ino the garage and counting the teeth, I haven't got a clue :-) what ever standard gearing came with the bike.

 

[Wigbank]

Do you really need a new bike or new gearing?

Both to be honest :-) the bike I have at the min, was a hand me down of my cousin. I've had it a couple of years now.

I like the idea of a lighter frame, better wheels and a bike that fits properly

 

[Kbrook]

You don't necessarily need a 10 speed cassette, its your low gearing that you need to get right to climb big hills. I was crap but then I found that my largest at the back was 23t, I now have 28t at the back and I am 100% better, I just spin up the big hills now instead of having to stand up all the bloody time. I have only got a 9 speed cassette.

 

[Kbrook]

But for £800 you will be able to get a 10 speed no problem if thats what you want either compact or triple whatever you prefer. If you get a triple just don't expect that you will have half a dozen lower gears than a compact, you won't, 1 or 2 maybe.

 

[Wigbank]

So, would the general consensus be to go fr a compact rather than a triple?

 

[Wigbank]

So, would the general consensus be to go fr a compact rather than a triple?

Compact 28t sounds the way forward so far??

 

[Kbrook]

I am far from an expert and only know anything about this because I had major climbing problems, I did a load of research and found out that it was mainly down to my rear cassette. Stop being lazy go into the garage and count the teeth on your rear cassette. If you already have a 28 or 30t you will have to have the same advice as a I was given.

 

[Wigbank]

I am far from an expert and only know anything about this because I had major climbing problems, I did a load of research and found out that it was mainly down to my rear cassette. Stop being lazy go into the garage and count the teeth on your rear cassette. If you already have a 28 or 30t you will have to have the same advice as a I was given.

Brb, counting teeth.............. My dentist charges £40 to count teeth and he has the cheek to call it a check up!!..... But that's another story for another day

 

[Wigbank]

Yup, 28 on rear. Big ring on front 53

 

[Kbrook]

Well that sounds like you don't have a compact you have a standard double, so you smallest ring at the front will be 39 I think. So that is much harder than a compact double which has a 34t small front ring. So yes a compact will be much easier for you. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong it I am pretty sure I'm not.

 

[Wigbank]

Well that sounds like you don't have a compact you have a standard double, so you smallest ring at the front will be 39 I think. So that is much harder than a compact double which has a 34t small front ring. So yes a compact will be much easier for you. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong it I am pretty sure I'm not.

Sounds good to me, thank you

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Sounds good to me, thank you

Yes - if you have been getting about on a standard double then a compact will be a fair bit easier.

Which bikes are you looking at?