What have you bought for the bike today ?

[Dadam]

It's not just the gaining of a 16 tooth cog which seems to be my go-to on the road bikes, it's losing gears that I'll never use (who needs a 34/36 or 34/32 gearing option in this part of Suffolk?) and gaining a better spread of useable ones.

They're missing a trick allowing buyers to specify different gearing.

An 11-30 cassette to replace the 11-36 version that came on the new bike

If that's 10 speed I could be interested!

 

[Andy in Germany]

They're missing a trick allowing buyers to specify different gearing.

I'm not sure how easily you could accommodate different gearing variations on a derailleur system, because the gears have to have points at certain intervals where they "catch" the chain and pull it onto the next wheel: it isn't done exclusively by the derailleur itself. There's also the matter of needing a longer derailleur cage for a wider gear range. I'm sure if Shimano et c had worked out a way to make money from offering fifty combinations they'd be doing it by now.

 

[Jenkins]

They're missing a trick allowing buyers to specify different gearing.

Offering 'hilly' (11-34?) or 'flat' (11-28?) cassette options on purchase would be an easy thing for dealers to do.

If that's 10 speed I could be interested!

12 Speed - sorry

 

[Alex321]

It's not just the gaining of a 16 tooth cog which seems to be my go-to on the road bikes, it's losing gears that I'll never use (who needs a 34/36 or 34/32 gearing option in this part of Suffolk?) and gaining a better spread of useable ones.

Absolutely right. I may have a few small hills around this part of Suffolk but even on the downhills I`d never get into a 11 tooth cog. It`s a pity they don`t make cassettes like the good old Woolworth`s pick`n`mix.

Whereas round here, I use every gear on my 50/34 11-32 setup. I'd prefer an 11-36, but that isn't available for the 11 speed 105, the widest you can get is 11-34.

Offering 'hilly' (11-34?) or 'flat' (11-28?) cassette options on purchase would be an easy thing for dealers to do.

They do that for some bikes at some dealers.

 

[Dadam]

I'm not sure how easily you could accommodate different gearing variations on a derailleur system, because the gears have to have points at certain intervals where they "catch" the chain and pull it onto the next wheel: it isn't done exclusively by the derailleur itself. There's also the matter of needing a longer derailleur cage for a wider gear range. I'm sure if Shimano et c had worked out a way to make money from offering fifty combinations they'd be doing it by now.

Yes if there was a need for a larger cage that would be included in that option. I'm not sure I understand the point about catching the chain. How does that preclude offering say 11-25, 11-30 and 11-36 options?

I wasn't really suggesting offering fifty combinations but 2 or 3 would be nice. I struggle with climbing hence why I have ebikes as well. I love road bikes but the fact that typically the best they offer seems to be 34/34 bottom gear. I find it ridiculous that the lowest you can realistically get on an entry level bike is 1:1, even on Claris and Sora! Shouldn't they be making the sport more accessible? So you buy a bike, you come to replace the cassette and realise you can't actually fit an 11-36 because of the cage. Or you think of fitting a sub-compact chainset but it seems it's not as simple as that either!

I do wonder how many people quietly give up because they can't get up their local hills. Or rather how many more would stick with it if they could get up with more realistic gearing aimed at real people not racing snakes.

Maybe they worked out they can sell more bikes if they divert people into buying a gravel bike as well.

 

[Andy in Germany]

I'm not sure I understand the point about catching the chain. How does that preclude offering say 11-25, 11-30 and 11-36 options?

There are a number of small indentations and "lumps" on the gears which are there to snag the chain when the derailleur lifts it off the next gear; they are very important for smooth gear changes. I don't know how easily multiple variations could be made with these indentations in the right place for efficient gear changes.
Also, I live in a hilly place, and I've never had a serious problem with low gears being too high: I've also never ridden for any form of "sport". The people I work with think I'm incredibly fit; because I can pull away from them easily: this is because they all smoke about fifteen cigarettes a day.

 

[Webbo2]

You can get 11 to 25 Shimano cassette. What I would prefer is smallest sprocket of 12 or 13 which would give you better mid range options.

 

[JonBuoy]

Merlin Cycles offer 12-25 in 9, 10 and 11 speed. Only the 11 speed is Shimano.

 

[Raging_Pixie]

You can get 11 to 25 Shimano cassette. What I would prefer is smallest sprocket of 12 or 13 which would give you better mid range options.

SPA do a 10 speed ultegra in 12-25

 

[Webbo2]

SPA do a 10 speed ultegra in 12-25

I would like a 13- 36. 12 speed.

 

[Mike_P]

At the larger end the Shimano M8000 11-40 (etc) 11 speed fit a 10 speed wheel which I made use of having another wise useless 10 speed wheel.

 

[mrushton]

2 x Corsa Pro Control 26-622 off ebay