Would climbing with my new gear ratio be too difficult (50/34T with 11-23T cassette)?

Question

Hello,

I have been cycling for nearly two seasons and decided to upgrade this year to a full carbon 105 groupo road bike. Last year I stuck with a standard crankset with 12-25T in the rear. However, I chose to convert to a compact crankset this season (50-34T) and swapped the rear cassette for a 11-23T. I figure that since i'm going down a to a lower gear crank, that moving to a slightly more high gear rear cassette would be ok...I'm just wondering on how this impacts climbing (on a gradient of approx. 5 to 7%) In the end, a 34/23 should, on paper, be easier to climb with then a 39-25 (standard) right?

Of course, it also depends on the rider's fitness. I am 22 and maintain a 30-32km/hr average speed on flat terrain over long distances; pushing hard I can get up to an average speed of 34-36km/hr.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

A.

Answer 1

the "proper" set up is a 53/39 front with an 11-25 in the back

all the range you need with all the power you can get

Answer 2

You probably wont notice a great deal of difference!

Having said that - 11/23 on a compact will give you a wider spread of gearing than 12/25 on a standard chainset!

I ride a compact now and wont go back!

btw. the 11/23 cassette is nicely spaced and you can always find a gear to ride in.  - I must admit though, I do a lot of hills and a 12/27 spends more time on my rear wheel than my 11/23!

Hope this helps.

EDIT: sorry WW but I disagree completely, spinning up a hill will make you climb faster and I find no difficulty on the flat.

Lets face it, You dont spend much time in 12t anyway (or 11t for that matter) - Can I offer further advice?  Keep the compact but if you intend to do serious climbing then install your 12/25 or better still get a 12/27 and take advantage of the compact.  (a disadvantage I have found on the 12/27 is the absence of a 20t cog, on the flat, I am often flipping between 19 and 21T , - still . . .never mind eh? )

.

Answer 3

Tony,

You are correct, a 34/23 gives you a slightly lower gear inch result than a 39/25  --  39.1 compared to 41.3.

I switched to compact cranks on both of my daily rider bikes about 3 years ago and couldn't be happier with them.  But I live in the mountains, and am a considerably older guy than you.  I've used this setup in both the Alps and the Pyrenees with great success and like it a lot better than a triple.

However, at your age (assuming a good fitness level) you should be able to ride almost anywhere with a 39/25, certainly any of the climbs here in the southeast Appalachian Mountains.  If you plan to race, you'll definitely miss the 53 tooth chainring in the sprints, even with the 11 in the back.

Still, what you are choosing is my personal favorite setup and since I no longer race the lack of a top sprint gear is of little consequence to me.

Link to a gear inch calculator below.

Happy riding.

Ben

Answer 4

i would think with a 34/23 you should be able to climb well.  i am still running a 39/25, and there are hills that can be a struggle. you have netted a 3tooth improvement.  if you still struggle you could always put your 25t cogset back on and get a full 5t lighter gear.

Answer 5

unless you're in some serious mountains, you should just stick with the standard crank. you'll have to work harder on the flats to obtain the same speeds. all the compact ratio does is help you spin on hills. you won't necessarily go up them any faster.