Farrier boy
New Member
I am looking to by a new bike but would like advice on groupset/cassettes. The bike I am looking at has a shimano ultra 52/36 groupset and 16/27 cassette, would this be ok for hills ?
Which groupset.
- Thread starter Farrier boy
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roubaixtuesday
self serving virtue signaller
Depends how fit you are, and how long and steep the hills are. Is 16/27 is a typo?
So give us an idea of fitness and a typical hill you're considering.
But I suspect that if you're asking, you need lower gears! I think Ultegra goes to 50/34 and as far as 11-34, and 11-32 is fairly standard these days. If you're at all worried about hills, I'd recommend 50/34 and 11-32. It's easy to put harder gears on, but lower ones can take more fettling (longer chain and higher capacity rear mech as well as the new cassette)
[Edit - I note you're in Huddersfield. Unless you're a very strong club cyclist already, you'll be wanting a lower bottom gear than 36/27 for sure]
So give us an idea of fitness and a typical hill you're considering.
But I suspect that if you're asking, you need lower gears! I think Ultegra goes to 50/34 and as far as 11-34, and 11-32 is fairly standard these days. If you're at all worried about hills, I'd recommend 50/34 and 11-32. It's easy to put harder gears on, but lower ones can take more fettling (longer chain and higher capacity rear mech as well as the new cassette)
[Edit - I note you're in Huddersfield. Unless you're a very strong club cyclist already, you'll be wanting a lower bottom gear than 36/27 for sure]
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Farrier boy
New Member
Thanks for replying. I agree with you on the 36/27. I am just getting back into riding so I need to build my strength and stamina back up. It sounds like you know the hills around huddersfield. The 16/27 isn't a typo, it's a junior cassette apparently.
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Farrier boy
New Member
Excellent, thisxwas my initial thought but just needed another opinion. Many thanks.
I have two bikes with a mid-compact 52/36 chainset. Both of them came with an 11/28 cassette. For both of them I changed to an 11/32 and that necessitated a change of rear mech to get one with a medium cage. For an ultegra set-up you're probably looking at over £100 to do that, with a new chain included.
Slow But Determined
Guest
Or go old school and buy a triple!
You can have the advantage of a larger than 50 big ring for nice rolling flat terrain and the safety blanket of the granny small ring for when it goes up.
You can have the advantage of a larger than 50 big ring for nice rolling flat terrain and the safety blanket of the granny small ring for when it goes up.
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Farrier boy
New Member
Thanks for this, theres a lot to consider. £100 isn't expensive really.
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Farrier boy
New Member
It's a kuota. I don't think I will be buying it now though.
NorthernDave
Never used Über Member
Huddersfield is generally quite hilly isn't it?
My "best" bike has a 52/36 with an 11/28 cassette, while my everyday bike has a 50/34 with an 11/32 on the back.
You can definitely tell the difference when it gets lumpy, even if the best bike is a few kg lighter.
If @Buck is still about he might have some thoughts?
My "best" bike has a 52/36 with an 11/28 cassette, while my everyday bike has a 50/34 with an 11/32 on the back.
You can definitely tell the difference when it gets lumpy, even if the best bike is a few kg lighter.
If @Buck is still about he might have some thoughts?
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Farrier boy
New Member
It's really interesting how many different variants there are and what other riders prefer. I am taking note of everything coming back to me.
Spiderweb
Not So Special One
£100 for a Kuota with Shimano Ultegra is a great buy, you should be able to fit a 30t cassette without changing the rear derailleur (speaking from experience) and if money is tight you’ll probably get away with keeping the existing chain rather than buying a new longer one.
Cycleops
Legendary Member
I think that might be £100 extra.
