[Closed] CycloCross Gearing Options

105 STI'S will work with your SLX mechs.

The disadvantage of the triple is weight. If you wanted to, you could use a compact chain-set with say a 12-29 cassette which would get you all but the sharpest of inclines.

If you cant ride it shoulder it. 🙂

Don't go for a triple on a CX.

I run mine 9sp: Compact (34/48) plus a 12-28 cassette will do for most things. I fitted an XTR short cage rear mech to mine because, for the Three Peaks I fit my MTB cassette (12-34) and that gets me up anything. The XTR mech works fine with my Ultegra 9sp shifters, the mech can also cope with the larger cassette which most road mechs will struggle with.

Since you're running it 10sp then just get a 10sp SLX or XT cassette with a 10sp MTB mech - that'll work fine with the 10sp STI shifters. Combine with a compact double and the gearing will be plenty low enough.

If your going to race, as said don't go with a triple hardly anyone does. I'm old and fat so use a 48/34 compact with a 13/28 cassette (campag) If thats not low enough you'll be quicker getting of and running. Even for general riding about it'll get you up most stuff.

You might want a triple if you do the peaks but other than that you wont need one for normal cross.

I don't think one extra chain ring is going to be much of a weight penalty !!!!!!!!!!!

It's not really the weight penalty, it's the fact you need a longer chain - more of it flapping around = more risk of mis-shifts. Longer rear mech = more chance of it being knocked and you don't really need the low gears - if you're going that slowly, you're better of shouldering the bike and running.

For heavy-laden touring then sure, a triple is great but for 99% of the time for normal riding, a compact + wide range cassette is plenty.

I had a bit of a funny set up on one of mine I had tiagra stis with xt rear mech xt cassette xt chainset but with only two rings on and I found I had to use a road front mech , I used 105, it was all 9 speed and shifted great. Gears were 32-44 and 11-32.I found it great for most stuff. I was riding on normal mtb-cx routes rather than racing tho but it all worked

mtb front mech won't work with road sti.

I have a triple on mine and use it. Not everyone wants to run up climbs.

34/46 and 13-29 cassette (campag) here

If you need lower than a 34 front and an mtb cassette at the back you probably don't want a cross bike tbh

My CX bike came fitted with 36/46 chainrings and a 12-24 10speed cassette, it's a wide enough range for most stuff and, as others have said, by the time you've run out of gears it's quicker to get off and run.

do all of you race or treat every ride as such?

I run 50/34 and a 12-34 SLX cassette and XT mid-cage mech my Vapour. I found the previous 12-25 cassette useless for the long climb home every night especially once i hit the off-road parts of my commute. The new cassette means i can just spin up and not need to get up of the saddle.

"Since you're running it 10sp then just get a 10sp SLX or XT cassette with a 10sp MTB mech - that'll work fine with the 10sp STI shifters. Combine with a compact double and the gearing will be plenty low enough."

It won't work I'm afraid but if you use your 10spd STI's with an older 9spd XT/SLX mech then it'll work out just fine. Also for crisper front shifting then use a road front mech.

Gearing wise a double 34/46 with an 11-32 rear cassette will be very low for racing but ace for generally hacking about on and the peaks.

Good luck.

Slight threadjack. Anyone know if FSA Gossamer Pro compact chainsets are compatible with Campy 9 spd chains?

what olie said, you can go 10 speed, but it has to be with a 9 speed mech!

Actualy, saying that I'm not sure about cassettes, I think I'm right in thinking that SRAM cassettes will work, but shimano wont?

Anyway, 13-27 and a 34t and 34-48 up front will be plenty, steeper than that and you could walk up let alone run!

So none of you would like my Three Peaks set up of 13/32 7 speed on 26/38/46 triple?

Is it ever worth setting up your cyclocross bike for the 3 Peaks? it's just one day of the year after all.
I've found 34/46 and a 12-25 fine for cross riding even in the Peak. Though I'd rather be riding my MTB on anything that requires more gearing than that.

I was wondering though, 32T rings...are they available in 110. That a 28 cassette would be nice in the 3 Peaks.

oldgit 34 is the smallest 110mm will go.

Thought so, though I'm sure I've seen someones 3 Peaks blog and they had a 32t, but hey I never know what day of the week it is nowadays.

I ride it off road a lot anyway ,and being a knackered heavy old git I need that gearing to ride up Peny ghent lane and it is still quicker and less painful than walking

I'm using 48/34 with 13-29 for racing and it suits me, although the gaps are a bit noticeable on the road. Basically do whatever you want, the only thing with a triple is that you need to spend a bit more time setting up the indexing.

I would avoid the triple if you can. The main thing is that it is just something else to get clogged up with mud. Many people will use just one ring as it avoids mud problems.
Agreed about not setting up the bike for the 3 peaks. That is just one mad event and not like anything else. And if you go for something like 46/34 chainrings, you can easily use 34 at the back to get 1:1