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Swapping cassette from 12-25 to 11-28
- Le Velo
- Posts: 534
- Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2011 10:59 pm
Swapping cassette from 12-25 to 11-28
Postby Le Velo » Tue Dec 04, 2012 5:52 pm
I have tried to swap the wheels only and it seems the rear derailleur is a very extended position and it could do with some slack in it which the extra links on the chain will no doubt provide however if I was to change to the other wheelset then the chain would have a lot more slap particularly on the 12.
Anyone use different sets of wheel with different size cassettes and have overcome any issues that may arise
The reason I want a 11-28 is that I now prefer to climb on the big chainring and find it comfortable on the 28 if it has some gradient in it rather than spin on the smaller chainring ( I have 39-53) however will still use the small chainring if needed when it gets nasty ...... and put the 12-25 wheels for crits and some racing
- DoogleDave
- Posts: 519
- Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2012 7:56 pm
- Location: Taylors Hill, Victoria
Re: Swapping cassette from 12-25 to 11-28
Postby DoogleDave » Tue Dec 04, 2012 7:15 pm
Otherwise, as long as you don't use your 53/28 combo then you should be fine with the chain you have using any other gear combos - HOWEVER, as you have indicated you want to use the 53/28 combo it will probably need a longer chain.
Also worth noting, using your 39/21 gear should give you a very similar climbing gear to the 53/28 - and would also mean you could keep a straighter chain line (and use the current chain).
I'm currently awaiting my new 11-28 to be delivered (to try instead of my 11-25), so I'll be interested in what everyone else has to say.
Dave
- Le Velo
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- Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2011 10:59 pm
Re: Swapping cassette from 12-25 to 11-28
Postby Le Velo » Tue Dec 04, 2012 7:20 pm
DoogleDave wrote:From what I have read, it will depend on how long your current chain is and whether the person that fit the chain installed the minimum length or left a couple of extra links on. From the fact that your derailleur is extended already suggests it isn't long enough.
Otherwise, as long as you don't use your 53/28 combo then you should be fine with the chain you have using any other gear combos - HOWEVER, as you have indicated you want to use the 53/28 combo it will probably need a longer chain.
Also worth noting, using your 39/21 gear should give you a very similar climbing gear to the 53/28 - and would also mean you could keep a straighter chain line (and use the current chain).
I'm currently awaiting my new 11-28 to be delivered (to try instead of my 11-25), so I'll be interested in what everyone else has to say.
Dave
Thanks Dave, I think the current chain is already at it's minimum from what I can see however good point about the gearing alternative might try that but I usually prefer to mash than spin

- toolonglegs
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- Location: Somewhere with padded walls and really big hills!
Re: Swapping cassette from 12-25 to 11-28
Postby toolonglegs » Tue Dec 04, 2012 7:29 pm
Heck I run the same length chain when I chuck the compact on ( 39 to 34 )...but the little chain ring and bottom 3 cogs are getting a bit sloppy

BTW cross chain I have no problems with... but 53/28 combo will certainly be robbing you off a fair few watts in chain drag... I prefer to keep my chain line a little bit straighter.
-
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Re: Swapping cassette from 12-25 to 11-28
Postby slian » Wed Dec 05, 2012 1:21 pm
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Re: Swapping cassette from 12-25 to 11-28
Postby scirocco » Wed Dec 05, 2012 3:38 pm
- Le Velo
- Posts: 534
- Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2011 10:59 pm
Re: Swapping cassette from 12-25 to 11-28
Postby Le Velo » Mon Dec 10, 2012 3:55 pm
Went up Mount Glorious yesterday and used the 39-23 most of the way but half way through glorious jumped on the 25 as the legs were starting to burn a bit.
Managed a descent 1h19min for the climb (29.9km total) from the Bus depot to the coffee shop of Glorious (Only 15min behind the KOM) and happy with that so based on this I won't even bother with a 28 (Unless I plan to ride the Alps)
Now to learn the fascinating side of training / riding with a powermeter and put the data to good use (On a note I did 3.4W/kg (AT) FTP - 60min)

- hotshod
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2012 11:05 pm
- Location: Alstonville , NSW , 2477
Re: Swapping cassette from 12-25 to 11-28
Postby hotshod » Tue Dec 18, 2012 6:57 pm
From such a chart you'll soon discover that the gears you wish for ie 53:28 is replicated in other ratios that won't cause you to run an extreme chain cross...... I know bikes can do it , but in the good ol days you never ran extreme crossover to your 2 highest or 2 lowest gears ..... Absolutely no need unless you deliberately want to wear out your gear train unnecessarily...... and that was running 6 or 7 speed clusters .... Even less need with modern 10 & 11 speed cassettes.
I see it everyday done by cyclists who think they are experts and can't be told otherwise...... particularly Sm chainring running to 13:12:11..... they need lessons , ah forgot , they' re experts been riding for years.
Yes but refer to the Gear Inch chart ..... all will be revealed !!!!!
I appreciate you no longer need an answer to the 53:28 problem ...... But 53:25 is just as wrong .... No Need.
- DoogleDave
- Posts: 519
- Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2012 7:56 pm
- Location: Taylors Hill, Victoria
Re: Swapping cassette from 12-25 to 11-28
Postby DoogleDave » Tue Dec 18, 2012 8:04 pm
34/28 - 31.9"
34/24 - 37.2"
34/21 - 42.5"
50/28 - 46.9"
34/19 - 47.0"
34/17 - 52.6"
50/24 - 54.8"
34/15 - 59.6"
50/21 - 62.6"
34/14 - 63.8"
34/13 - 68.7"
50/19 - 69.2"
34/12 - 74.5"
50/17 - 77.3"
34/11 - 81.2"
50/15 - 87.6"
50/14 - 93.9"
50/13 - 101.1"
50/12 - 109.5"
50/11 - 119.5"
But in reality you wouldn't ride your bike and jump back and forth between large and small chain ring so you'd more than likely run this scenario:
34/28 - 31.9"
34/24 - 37.2"
34/21 - 42.5"
34/19 - 47.0"
34/17 - 52.6"
34/15 - 59.6"
(then change up to large chain ring and downshift two rear sprockets and continue...)
50/19 - 69.2"
50/17 - 77.3"
50/15 - 87.6"
50/14 - 93.9"
50/13 - 101.1"
50/12 - 109.5"
50/11 - 119.5"
These give slightly larger jumps between gears compared to the theoretical shortest to longest gear-inches list, but would be much easier shift-wise....and never crosses the chain too much or uses the extremes High-High or Low-Low.
I know when I'm riding I usually adjust my rear my two sprockets (up or down) and change the front chain ring accordingly to maintain a "similar" gear.
Also, as suggested by hotshod, if you need to ride at the extremes then you have other alternatives you can choose from which give similar gear-inches:
34/11 or 50/15 (or 17)
34/12 or 50/17
50/28 or 34/19
50/24 or 34/17
Dave
- toolonglegs
- Posts: 15451
- Joined: Fri Jun 29, 2007 7:49 pm
- Location: Somewhere with padded walls and really big hills!
Re: Swapping cassette from 12-25 to 11-28
Postby toolonglegs » Tue Dec 18, 2012 8:21 pm

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