looking to increase rear cassette for hill climbing, currently have 9 speed triple. Sora shifters - crank FSA 50/39/30 . Cassette Sram 12-26, Derailer Shimano Deore XT long cage. Question is what is the largest cassette I can go to with this set up. If I change cassette do I increase chain length ?
cassette upgrade
- Thread starter gaz21
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the_mikey
Legendary Member
- Location
- South Gloucestershire
You might be lucky with 11-32, 11-28 might work, it all depends on the capacity of the derailleur to accommodate the wide range of gear ratios you have, you will need a new chain in either case.
Derailleur capacity for 11-32: (50-30) + (32-11) = 41
Derailleur capacity for 11-28: (50-30) + (28-11) = 37
Derailleur capacity for 11-32: (50-30) + (32-11) = 41
Derailleur capacity for 11-28: (50-30) + (28-11) = 37
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Thanks 11-32 sounds good worth a try at least, regards new chain do I make it same length ?
lpretro1
Guest
You may struggle getting a 32t road cassette in 9 speed. I know there is a Tiagra 9 spd 11-30t. Even if you can you may struggle to get it to work with the triple front - a compact might have stood a chance - but someone here will prob say you can do it - your chain will need to be a link or two longer. You will also have some big jumps in a 9spd cassette going 11-32 - you might consider a 12-32 or even 13-32 if available. Good luck!
Thanks have ordered 11/32 with chain to try so fingers crossed going with derailleur spec it can go up to 34t, worst case could be a cheap cassette going on ebay lol,
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
Jenkins
Legendary Member
- Location
- Felixstowe
Shimano HG50 or SRAM PG950 cassettes both come in 11-32 - should be available for around £10 - £15 rom the main online retailers.
Nigelnaturist
Guru
- Location
- Pontefract
Another option is to fit a 28th inner chain ring, I have my road bike setup like this 50/38/28 (it will go down to 26th, just didn't like the gap) and a rear 12-23, giving a range of about 33-110", I have had it set up with a 12-27 which worked better with the 26th inner due to the ratios being slightly wider on the low end this gave something like 25-110" I had to be aware of the chain length on the smallxsmall combo though.
The setup is 105 FD, RD and shifters, ultegra cassette and chain 10sp triple, the same can be done on sora, the advantage of the smaller inner ring is you can use a closer grouped cassette and still have range something a 50/34 setup can't give you.
The 38th inner front is a great spinning ring I am hardly ever going to spin out on the flat on the 38x12 as I would be going over 25mph, and the short end of 43" or so gets me up everything I do round here, dropping down to the inner ring on the odd occasion, and if push comes to shove I can still put the 12-27 on but it means losing the 18th on the rear
The setup is 105 FD, RD and shifters, ultegra cassette and chain 10sp triple, the same can be done on sora, the advantage of the smaller inner ring is you can use a closer grouped cassette and still have range something a 50/34 setup can't give you.
The 38th inner front is a great spinning ring I am hardly ever going to spin out on the flat on the 38x12 as I would be going over 25mph, and the short end of 43" or so gets me up everything I do round here, dropping down to the inner ring on the odd occasion, and if push comes to shove I can still put the 12-27 on but it means losing the 18th on the rear
