I think i've made a mistake with the gears

[Crandoggler]

If you have a 10 speed cassette, then yes.

More importantly, your shifter needs to accommodate the 3 chain rings.

Cheaper still, an 11-32 cassette would get you up any hill and you wouldn't need to change to a triple crank

 

[HLaB]

25

It'll easily go to a 28t cassette without any expensive mod. Try that first.

 

[albion]

Get the shop who sold you a stupidly wong setup confirm what it goes up to. A 32 or 34 cassette would be ideal.

For an average biker, 34/25 for hilly terrain is plain wrong.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Thanks for all the replies so far. As you've probably guessed, i'm not mechanically minded, but the general consensus so far is that i should go back to the shop and ask for a different(easier)cassette rather than selling the bike?

 

[Banjo]

Thanks for all the replies so far. As you've probably guessed, i'm not mechanically minded, but the general consensus so far is that i should go back to the shop and ask for a different(easier)cassette rather than selling the bike?

Yes definitely the way to go. 34 front 25 back is high gearing for hilly areas. I have 34 front 30 back which is much easier than what you have.

you could most probably fit an 11- 30 cassette without changing the rear derailleur.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Get the shop who sold you a stupidly wong setup confirm what it goes up to. A 32 or 34 cassette would be ideal.

For an average biker, 34/25 for hilly terrain is plain wrong.

I'm getting a bit mad now thinking about it. I went in and told the lad who served me what i wanted. I said i'm a 54 year old average cyclist who struggles with hills like nearby Pendle Hill(1 mile from the shop) He said words to the affect of "don't worry the gears on this bike are just as good as the triples you're used to". I took that in good faith,but now it seems he wanted shut of the bike and saw that opportunity when i came along.I went in with the intention of buying a bike that day,but i wanted sound advice before i decided on which bike. The lad was going to get his money from me, so why sell me something that wasn't suitable when they had bikes in that clearly suited me? He even talked me out of buying a Specialised i saw and fancied, with a triple set!

Edit......I had my doubts when i got the bike home. I phoned them the following day to ask if i could come in and change it for another bike of similar or higher price but they reassured me once again that the bike was suitable for my needs.

 

[Kbrook]

Definately change the cassette, depending on your rear derailleur you can put a 28/30/32 on the back which will make life much easier.

Colin, if you are aiming for a scenic climb, Birdy Brow beats Whalley Nab hands down. Whalley Nab just leads to Great Harwood, Birdy Brow you have lots of options at the top. They are about the same difficulty, the Nab probably just shades it, it's is hard at the start then eases off, Birdy Bros steep section is towards the top of the climb.

 

[Kbrook]

Accy cyclist.... How many speed is your new bike? I have a 10 speed 12/30 lying about that you can have. I can also fit it for you if needed, I am the far side of Colne. The only issue may be chain size

 

[Kbrook]

Another issue is of course if he's sold you a cyclocross bike with cantilever brakes that is likely to be way heavier than a carbon or even aluminium road bike which will also be making a difference.

What tyres does it have on, cyclocross tyres are wider, heavier, knobbly and slower

 

[Accy cyclist]

I had my doubts when i got the bike home. I phoned them the following day to ask if i could come in and change it for another bike of similar or higher price but they reassured me once again that the bike was suitable for my needs.

Another issue is of course if he's sold you a cyclocross bike with cantilever brakes that is likely to be way heavier than a carbon or even aluminium road bike which will also be making a difference.

The bike's not too heavy. It has an aluminium frame. The bike weighs around 10.5 kilos. Heavy to some but weight isn't the issue. If it was 7 kilos it's still be not much use on steep hills.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Accy cyclist.... How many speed is your new bike? I have a 10 speed 12/30 lying about that you can have. I can also fit it for you if needed, I am the far side of Colne. The only issue may be chain size

It's 20 speed Thanks for the offer!. I'll get back to you on that one if the shop wont sort it.

 

[sight-pin]

I had my doubts when i got the bike home. I phoned them the following day to ask if i could come in and change it for another bike of similar or higher price but they reassured me once again that the bike was suitable for my needs.

How can they say it's suitable for you without seeing you ride etc, I would ring them again and ask again for what you want, maybe point out this thread to them.

Edit, Or do they mean size wise?

 

[vickster]

Presumably for his type of riding, mix of on and off roads?

I have 50/34 and 11-32, gets me up most things and I'm rubbish on hills!

 

[steveindenmark]

They have no idea of your style of riding or level of fitness, so how can they say off the top of their heads that the gears will suit you?

 

[Levo-Lon]

Just to make you feel better ! My family are from Padiham..area and i know these hills.

im younger than you by about by a few yrs and i would not do them hills with a 34f 25 rear..not that im a hill specialist from the fens mind lol..

as said get a 28..you may be able to go 30? Get the shop to max it out and see how it goes.