How much difference does the bike make?

[herzog]

Before you put on the bigger cogs at the back, you need to check whether your RD can handle it.

[silentC]

Yeah that's the problem. The B adjustment is wound in a fair way already.

[__PG__]

Every little bit helps. I went from 39-23 to 39-25 to 39-26 in the last two years on my old bike. Made a huge difference in the sorts of cadence I could maintain on long climbs.

[silentC]

I read through this thread: http://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewt ... 12&t=66120

And so now I think I'm going to leave it as it is. For now... I think...

[silentC]

I decided I was being a bit precious about 'keeping it original', especially since I can easily put it back the way it was. So I picked up a 7 speed 11-28. It fit under the dérailleur no problems.

So I've now got 28 24 21 18 15 13 11 instead of 23 21 19 17 15 14 13. I would have preferred to have kept the 17 and lose the 11, I doubt I'll use it much if at all.

Jury is out. It's certainly easier to get up hills, but I did a circuit of our local mountain of pain and only did my second best times, so I'm getting up them easier but slower. Haven't quite got the new gearbox sussed out though.

Anyway thanks for putting the idea in my head.