Upgrading cassette and chain

[Buck]

Hi

My Cube Peloton road bike currently has a Shimano Tiagra 12-32T 10 speed rear cassette on.

I was thinking of upgrading/changing to a Shimano 105 6700 11-28T cassette. This will then be a full 105 gear/chai set and better gearing I hope.

Will I notice much real world difference? Both in top speed (I often spin out on the 12 I have) and/or climbing the local hills?

I can't find a 105 10 speed chain anywhere as they look to be discontinued. Would something like this be OK? http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-ultegra-6701-10-speed-chain/rp-prod55029

The fitting/ replacement looks relatively straightforward but I don't have the specialist tools so was thinking it'd be better to get my LBS to do it. Is it better for me to by the tools and DIY or am I likely to only need them next blue moon!?

 

[marihino]

I'm going the route of buying the tools. They will cost about as much as one service done by LBS (I was very unsatisfied by the last one) and when you use them next time, they've already paid for themselves. I also find doing those things fulfilling and therapeutic, but that's individual I guess.

 

[bpsmith]

Tools and learn every time for me. As above, it soon pays for itself and enjoyable getting satisfaction for your own work too.

 

[outlash]

FWIW, it won't make a scrap of difference to shifting but you might notice the difference between a 28 and a 32 up a steep climb. You can use that chain in the link you provided, any 10 speed chain will work, a lot of people on here prefer KMC to Shimano.
Do it yourself, all you need is a chain whip, a cassette removal tool (and a spanner to hold it if you don't have one) and a chain breaker. Buy a missing link with your chain and you can do the job in less than an hour.

 

[T4tomo]

Cassette wil make no difference to the shifting, indexing / adjusting the rear dérailleur might, or upgrading the rear dérailleur. If you use the 32 much then you will notice missing it, 32 down to 28 is a big jump, but of you never use the 32 then no!

FWIW I use Tiagra cassettes on my ultegra set up because they are cheaper and just as good as ultegra.

 

[Citius]

I just use the cheapest 10sp chains I can find, so Tiagra or Deore MTB chains will both work fine. The difference in gearing will be entirely down to you. If you are spinning out on a 12 (presumably downhill), then all you will achieve by fitting an 11t will be to extend slightly the point at which you spin out. But you will still spin out. 'Spinning out' is relative anyway.

 

[Buck]

@ marihino @bpsmith @outlash @T4tomo @Citius

Thanks for all your feedback and information - really helpful and good food for thought for me as a relative newbie.

 

[Racing roadkill]

I use KMC chains mostly. On my 10 speeder, I have an 11-28, I've only spun out once, and that was a pretty steep descent.

 

[Buck]

I use KMC chains mostly. On my 10 speeder, I have an 11-28, I've only spun out once, and that was a pretty steep descent.

Yes, I've noticed I spin out more going fast compared to needing the biggest ring on the rear hence my thinking it might be a better balance for me.

Good to hear about the chains from everyone - I wasn't sure what difference it made mixing and matching so reassuring that you don't have to have the "105" chain as the example.

 

[Citius]

Cassette choice is a balance. Assuming you start and finish your rides at the same point, then you will descend and climb an equal amount. So you have to make compromises, in that the gearing that gets you downhill can also get you comfortably back up again.

 

[potsy]

I would certainly advise getting the tools and doing the work yourself, not difficult and you'll always have them for next time.

As for the 'upgrade' itself, well

 

[Mike!]

Yes get the tools and learn, will save you £££ in the long run,

Recently changed my Tiagra 12-28 and shimano chain on the best bike to a KMC chain and 105 11-25 (Not so hilly in East Anglia), not a huge difference but ratios are tighter in my normal running range so good for me.

 

[Banjo]

Sram chains can also be used on a shimano drivetrain and they come complete with a joining link.

 

[Doyleyburger]

I would buy the tools as and when you need them for the job. You will then have them for the next time. As for DIY......youtube is your best friend . It always gets me out of trouble

 

[bpsmith]

Cassette choice is a balance. Assuming you start and finish your rides at the same point, then you will descend and climb an equal amount. So you have to make compromises, in that the gearing that gets you downhill can also get you comfortably back up again.

Whilst that is factual, it's a tad misleading. Not all 1,000ft climbs are the same. You could climb that amount up a 10% climb and need a small gear or you could climb the same height on a longer 1% climb. Gearing needed will be worlds apart. The same goes for descending.