changing cassette to make hills easier ?

[phil_hg_uk]

I have the 2010 Secteur Elite Triple it has a 105 12-27 cassette in it, can I change it for another to make really steep hills easier at the start of the season & if so what to change it for.

Or is it more complicated that that and would I need to change anything else like the front ring.

I just want to see if it is worth it or not as I always seem to struggle until I get my hill climbing legs back.

 

[Nearly there]

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/9-speed-tiagra-11-32.117720/

Read this it may help

 

[Manonabike]

If you have a medium cage derailleur then you might be able to go up to 11 -32 which should make a difference. A MTB derailleur would handle even bigger cassettes.

 

[Banjo]

I have a11to 28 tooth rear cassette on my 105 triple which made a big difference changing from a 11 to 25

Unless your carrying luggage I wouldnt go bigger than a 30 tooth. I am not a strong rider and havent been beaten yet on 30 front 28 rear.

 

[potsy]

Phil, you could do what I did on mine and swap the granny ring 30t for a 28 or even a 26t, easy to change and very cheap at Spa

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Phil, you could do what I did on mine and swap the granny ring 30t for a 28 or even a 26t, easy to change and very cheap at Spa

Cant do this as the FD-5603 front mech only allows a front tooth difference maximum of 20 teeth and it has 50 x 39 x 30T chainring on at moment so 50 - 30 = 20 which is the maximum and a 28T granny ring would push it up to 22 tooth difference.

I have also looked at the shimano tech docs online and they are saying that the rear mech can only handle a maximum of 27T and I am on a 12 -27 rear cassette at the moment so looks like I am stumped.

 

[potsy]

Cant do this as the FD-5603 front mech only allows a front tooth difference maximum of 20 teeth and it has 50 x 39 x 30T chainring on at moment so 50 - 30 = 20 which is the maximum and a 28T granny ring would push it up to 22 tooth difference.

I have the same ratio and mine works fine Phil, those figures are probably conservative

 

[phil_hg_uk]

I have the same ratio and mine works fine Phil, those figures are probably conservative

Is yours a triple or a double.

 

[potsy]

Is yours a triple or a double.

Triple 30-39-50, now a 28-39-50.
You've seen how easy I fly up the hills now

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Triple 30-39-50, now a 28-39-50.
You've seen how easy I fly up the hills now

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

change the ring gear to a compact imho