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I have a Spesh Roubaix with a 105 compact groupset. Front rings are 50/34 and rear block is 10 speed 28/11.
I'm entered in the Welsh Etape in a few weeks and training going good. However am wondering whether there is an acceptable change to the rear block I could make that would make those bloody big Welsh climbs a little easier.
Thoughts please ? - I really don't want to lash out on more than a rear cassette if possible .....
Ta.
If you feel like the training is going well, then 34/28 will get you up everything fine. It's a nice low gear.
However, if you're really worried, you could always get like an 11-32 mtb cassette (if your mech will take it).
I've just put a Tiagra 10 speed cassette on my crosser, 12-30. It just about works OK, it grumbles a little on the 30 but will cope alright.
You could fit a 9-speed MTB mech and a 10speed XT cassette - but that's hardly a cheap fix. You should manage OK unladen on 34/28.
Yup, leave it, you'll live.
If Francis could do it - you'll be fine. Just keep tapping it out. 😀
Thanks all. I think a ew 'reccie' rides may also feature over the next few weeks ....
Best thing about road gearing is getting back on the mtb, feels like I'm spinning everything!
Hard to say without knowing how fit you are, how heavy you are, how steep the climbs are.
I used 34/32 in the Dolomites with the SRAM WiFli mid-cage mech and 11-32 cassette. Thankful of it on the Muro Di Sormano too.
The advantage of low gears are that if they are too low, you can change up. Disadvantage is getting used to the gaps between ratios, but honestly, after a day or so I didn't notice. Helps if your legs are used to a wide range of cadences, the jump between gears is about 10 RPM.
if you are doing the training then don't worry, just don't go too hard too early and keep looking up the road
34/28 will get you up just about anything, but personally I often prefer something a touch lower once the hills get to sustained 10 -15% (certainly on a long ride) as it's more comfortable to spin faster.
It depends on how steep the hills are and your personal preference though.
Your mech might be limited to 28 anyway.
Enjoy you're ride.