Group set upgrade - Gears Calculator tool

[frankgalan]

Hello
I was considering on upgrading my group set and trying to figure out what would go best... 11-46 with a 32 tooth, 11 Speed  or a 11-50 with a 32 tooth with 12 Speed group set, (currently have a 11-40, 24/34 tooth 11 Speed), on the process I bumped onto this page which I found pretty handy: http://gears.mtbcrosscountry.com/

In anyways I would appreciate any practical advice as numbers don't mean much compare to the real thing ;-)

cheers

[Dave Egan]

Are you running SRAM or Shimano?
Depending on what you have and want to change to you could have to change your free hub body to suit the new cassette.


If you move to 12 speed you'll need to change the whole drive train. Sticking with 11 speed would be the easier and cheaper option.

[frankgalan]

Thanks, Dave
I have Shimano M8000, the 12 Speed option would certainly be a more expensive one, more than double I reckon, having to change the BB also for a DUB (currently press fit) would add some more costs, the cassette SRAM would fit well my hub (DT Swiss M 1650 Spline, pawl system).


What concerns me more is the practical performance on the climbs etc... am I going to be missing a gear with the 11-46 and put more pressure on my knees, or is the difference not noticeable to spend so much money?


cheers

[muckwarrior]

I'm not particularly fit and I rarely find myself wanting another gear  with 32-42. I'd say 32-46 would be fine. Any lower and you'd walk as fast anyway.

[Dave Egan]

I'm not particularly fit and I rarely find myself wanting another gear  with 32-42. I'd say 32-46 would be fine. Any lower and you'd walk as fast anyway.

I'd agree that the 32 - 46 would be enough to get up anything.
Most of the lads with 12 speed very rarely use the 50 tooth as it's so slow.

[Hywel]

I had similar concerns when i changed to 1x, but I don't miss the old 2x.
If you run a 32t chainring up front, a 46t out back will get you up just about anything. You could even get a 30t chain ring after if you are struggling.
I run a 34t up front so i use the 46t on the back regularly on long climbs, occasionally i wish for more gears, but that's just my lazy legs talking.

To muddy the waters a bit...
Sunrace do 10-51t 12 speed cassettes that fit on the Shimano 11 speed free hub. They are compatible with the Shimano 12 speed derailleurs and shifters. I am not sure what the quality is like compared to Shimano though.

[saccades]

50T Cassette with a 32T up front is handy for big units who spin on a 29er (probably not needed on a 27.5).

[krezi]

I find 32 front and 42 rear  pretty handy. I only wish I had 46 a couple of times on really steep climbs. That would be very versatile set up with 32 and 46 I think
Pawel

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[AussieSteve]

I've had all threee scenarios you mention Frank.  My Trek Remedy, came with a 10speed double, which I swapped for a 32T (oval) single with a 11-46 cassette.  The change was especially worth doing from a point of chain retention and simplicity.  I didn't miss any aspect of the double chainring. Then the Yeti came with 12s 11-50 cassette and 30T chainring.

The 11-50 was especially appreciated when I was coming back from illness and a lot of time off the bike, and a noticeable difference from the gearing on the Remedy.  I use the 50T a lot less now, but it's still handy to have on a long spin, for example, at the top of a climb when you're faced into a savage headwind! When I'm due a new drivetrain, I'll get an 32T oval chainring, but stick with the 11-50 cassette.

[muckwarrior]

What size wheels does the Yeti have, Steve? I'd assume that a 50T on a 29er would be roughly equivalent to a 46T on a 650b.

[AussieSteve]

What size wheels does the Yeti have, Steve? I'd assume that a 50T on a 29er would be roughly equivalent to a 46T on a 650b.

The SB130 is a 29er. You could be right on that. There’s a 30T chainring on the Yeti, so I can’t compare directly to the 32T 46-11 on the Remedy.

[frankgalan]

Thanks all for your comments, very helpful indeed. Considering all I think I will go for the 32, 11-46 hoping that will do the trick for me when I get back on the bike after so long and most of all, hoping it keeps the chain in place !


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[muckwarrior]

Don't forget a chain guide then. Was just saying tonight how the only time my bike ever dropped a chain in almost 5 years was when I took the chain guide off.

[frankgalan]

Don't forget a chain guide then. Was just saying tonight how the only time my bike ever dropped a chain in almost 5 years was when I took the chain guide off.

Oh yes ! One of those would definitely be part of the kit! Cheers 


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