Don't shoot! 11-28 vs 11-32

[mwktar]

Hey guys, live in a hilly area and just made the move to a compact 11 from a triple 9. I can definitely notice the gaps between gears.

I live in a particularly hilly area in South Wales and an considering swapping out the 28 for a 32.

Anyone used both of these setups? I'm wondering how noticeable the jumps between gears are between these 2 (not the triple, as either way i have to get used to that)

 

[vickster]

I have. SRAM 50/34 front 11-32 rear set ups on all my geared bikes, wouldn't have anything else, do t notice gaps but I've ridden little else for some time (another bike was 12-30) and it's not hilly around here. Today I've ridden 43 miles, 350ft elevation...but I was on the single speed with a strapped up knee so hills were to be avoided

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I've got a 32-tooth cassette on both a triple and a compact so I'm pretty used to the large step between gears. Perhaps you just learn to be a little more flexible with cadence because I never get the feeling that I'm missing a sprocket in between.

 

[jowwy]

Hey guys, live in a hilly area and just made the move to a compact 11 from a triple 9. I can definitely notice the gaps between gears.

I live in a particularly hilly area in South Wales and an considering swapping out the 28 for a 32.

Anyone used both of these setups? I'm wondering how noticeable the jumps between gears are between these 2 (not the triple, as either way i have to get used to that)

Were in south wales and i feel your pain being a south walien too

And i would never drop my triple for any compact set-up

 

[Banjo]

Hey guys, live in a hilly area and just made the move to a compact 11 from a triple 9. I can definitely notice the gaps between gears.

I live in a particularly hilly area in South Wales and an considering swapping out the 28 for a 32.

Anyone used both of these setups? I'm wondering how noticeable the jumps between gears are between these 2 (not the triple, as either way i have to get used to that)

I have 34 /30 And think when the cassette /chain needs replacing I may look into changing to 34 / 32.
On fresh legs I can climb anything but towards the end of a long ride could do with a couple more teeth on the cassette.
I don't think the slightly bigger steps between gears will be an issue.

 

[DaveReading]

I'm wondering how noticeable the jumps between gears are between these 2 (not the triple, as either way i have to get used to that)

I have an 11-32 cassette on my tourer and a triple (48/36/26) chainwheel.

One tip I use if I want to minimise the jump when changing up or down on the front is to change simultaneously in the opposite direction on the rear.

 

[mwktar]

I've got a 32-tooth cassette on both a triple and a compact so I'm pretty used to the large step between gears. Perhaps you just learn to be a little more flexible with cadence because I never get the feeling that I'm missing a sprocket in between.

That's the answer i'm after really, thatr im not gonna be wishing for that "in between" gear

Were in south wales and i feel your pain being a south walien too

And i would never drop my triple for any compact set-up

Merthyr Tydfil I am butty Yeah i avoided a compact for years unitl i saw the ratio on an 11 speed was almost the same as my 9 speed, plus wanted to upgrade to a carbon and was fairly limited in choice - where are you in S.Wales?

 

[Dogtrousers]

I ride 50/34 and 11-32, (10 speed on one bike, 8 speed on t'other) and the gaps between the sprockets have never bothered me. But I'm not a sensitive thoroughbred.

The double change needed when swapping chainwheels, I do notice but it's no big deal.

 

[fossyant]

Your best option is ride more get fitter.

Leave out the hills till you can do it.

 

[mwktar]

Your best option is ride more get fitter.

Leave out the hills till you can do it.

lol - if i leave out the hills i wont be doing any riding. My fitness isn't atrocious, rode the velothon not so long ago, just quite like that lower range

 

[fossyant]

Ride and ride more. I run a 39/53 and a 13/24. Do not give in to sprocket rubbish. Ride your bike more. I live in the Peaks

 

[Pumpkin the robot]

I used to ride a triple with a 28t cassette, when I bought a new bike there was no option for a triple, so I went to a commpact set up and a 12-30 cassette. It took me a while to get used to the gears, but you soon find the right combination for most situations. As I am a little fitter now, I am using a compact with 11-28 in a fairly hilly area.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Ride and ride more. I run a 39/53 and a 13/24. Do not give in to sprocket rubbish. Ride your bike more. I live in the Peaks

Ah - but haven't you given in to 'sprocket rubbish' with your set-up?

Surely you should be riding a 53x13 Fixie.

 

[bikeman66]

Hey guys, live in a hilly area and just made the move to a compact 11 from a triple 9. I can definitely notice the gaps between gears.

I live in a particularly hilly area in South Wales and an considering swapping out the 28 for a 32.

Anyone used both of these setups? I'm wondering how noticeable the jumps between gears are between these 2 (not the triple, as either way i have to get used to that)

I guess there wil be a bit of compromise somewhere. I really noticed the gaps in the ratios (especially between the three lowest gears) when I swapped an 11-25 cassette for and 11-28 when I rode Mont Ventoux earlier this year. It did feel a bit odd at first, but then again, I doubt I would have made it to the top if I didn't have that 28 available.

I guess you have a similar situation. If a 30 or 32 allows you to comfortably ride the hills around your location then perhaps the gaps in the ratios are worth putting up with. You'll almost certainly need a new (longer) chain and make sure you check that the rear mech has the capacity to deal with what you are planning.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Vaguely relevant fact: Fabio Aru was rocking a 32T big sprocket on one of the stages of this year's Giro, as spotted by Juan Antonio Flecha after the stage. One in the eye for Henri Desgrange who said "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailleur? We are getting soft. . ."