Quote:
Originally Posted by greglepore
Uhh, think the Di2 bike must be 50/34? 54/39 would be big gears...
Yeah, Di2 is nice...haven't dropped a chain in like 2 yrs. Have 1st gen DA, had 10spd Ultegra, and now also have DA 11spd. Sweet stuff.
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meant 53/39 but that is/was the standard for years, in back usually an 11/28 cassette, but 11/30 and 11/32 are/were available, these last 2 cassettes w/ 9 speeds left biggish gaps. I love the 53-11 for downhill and flats, you can maintain 30mph on the flats w/ these the issue for me is hills, I'm a big boy, my GF says "Big Ole Bear" till I hit my 60's hills were tough but doable, they didn't get easier w/ more years piled on
first option to come along was so called compact crank w/50/34 these may have been available w/ 9 gear cassettes but all the ones I've seen are 10 or 11 speed, again the cassettes are usually 11/28, 11/30 or 11/32 seems as if most folks get these new these days
recently a semi compact crank became available I bough mine last spring 36/52 in front and again 10 or 11 speed 11/28, 11/30 or 11/32 cassettes. I use 36/52 w/ 11speed 11/32, on the flats 52-11 is just a tad slower than 53/11. on the hills 36-32 is a tad better than 34 - 28. For a big old guy these are great gears, My daily ride includes a 13% and 2x 8% grades, the 8s I can keep the 52 and go to 16-20, for the 13 36-32 is a thigh saver.
Most of the guys I ride w/ are little, old guys, 140-160#, most retain the 39/54 11/28 or 11/30. These guys will walk away from me on a single hill but given the typical 45mi ride w/ 5000'+ of vertical most will be a one to two minutes behind.