[Closed] 50/34 crank and 11-36 cassette for gravel/road bike

I use that or an 11-40 if I'm bikepacking. SGS derailleur and a Goat Link copy means I can get all gears/combos without breaking anything.

Fwiw, my Arkrose came with 48/32 and 11-34, and I'm loving it

I've got the 50/34, the new 105 derailleur defo works with a 11-40 cassette, no goat link or anything required.

I’ve got the 50/34, the new 105 derailleur defo works with a 11-40 cassette, no goat link or anything required.

This is the route I'm about to take. 50/34s are cheap and readily available, so are 11-40 cassettes. I looked at the GRX option for smaller chainrings but they're all black....  🙂

Im using a 105 50/34 with a shimano XT 11-36 cassette on my gravel bike and its perfect for me in the mountains. The thing with the gravel bike is if the terrain is that steep you will probably loose traction before the need for any more gears calls.
Another thing to bear in mind is the gap between ratios which i found a pain on larger cassettes, too much variance on slight changes in gradient.

Climbed a hill on my gravel bike the other day.

On my fs MTB I use 22x34 seated

On my gravel bike I used used 28x36 and was hovering over the saddle. My 38mm touring tyres didn't slip

I think the op will be best off with an 11-40. The gaps will be fine if 11 speed. My 11 36 is 10 speed

"Fwiw, my Arkrose came with 48/32"

thanks what crank is that?

"boblo

I use that or an 11-40 if I’m bikepacking. SGS derailleur and a Goat Link copy means I can get all gears/combos without breaking anything."

I've read about the goat links, but apparently not needed on the latest R7000 mechs up to 40t. Unless they just improve shifting all round, so no downsides?

"I’ve got the 50/34, the new 105 derailleur defo works with a 11-40 cassette, no goat link or anything required."

"This is the route I’m about to take. 50/34s are cheap and readily available, so are 11-40 cassettes. I looked at the GRX option for smaller chainrings but they’re all black…."

Would that be going too easy on the granny with a 1.7 ratio? My current 30/34 giving a 1.8 and flying up steep stuff.

What are the thoughts behind the 40 instead of the 36?

I'm looking at buying a shimano GRX 46/30 to lower my gearing on the Arkose (it's tough work when it's fully loaded) - I think it will be marginally cheaper to get a new chainring / FD than a rear cassette and RD.

The tooth difference remains the same, so the existing RD should cope...

"Im using a 105 50/34 with a shimano XT 11-36 cassette on my gravel bike and its perfect for me in the mountains. The thing with the gravel bike is if the terrain is that steep you will probably loose traction before the need for any more gears calls.
Another thing to bear in mind is the gap between ratios which i found a pain on larger cassettes, too much variance on slight changes in gradient."

The 11-36 does look to have less gaps as you get higher up, but the 11-40 is definitely on my potential list now.

I need to think about the road days too, when i've got the gp5000 wheelset on, theres some crazy steep tarmac I love to ride up. Guessing that would favour 11-36.

For road, I've another set of identical wheels with road tyres and an 11-28 which is fine in the Rutland Alps. I've never noticed big jumps in the 11-40 but then I don't use it a lot on road. There are no adjustments needed when swapping between the wheel sets.

“Fwiw, my Arkrose came with 48/32”

thanks what crank is that?

My arkose came with this - it's a praxis alba thing. Just took it off my bike last night (to replace with 105 50-34 - it's my commuter and i wanted to fit a power meter), was quite impressed at how well it's held up to two years of commuting - original grease still very much in evidence.

If anyone wants a praxis crankset and bb, make me an offer...