I've seen this done quite a lot, and I was just wondering a few things. One, why do it? Just for the higher gear ratios? Two, whats a good ratio, my current XT cassette is an 11-34, and whats a good cassette, if it has the benefits I think it does, I might get one.
Running road cassetes for XC
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If you race, you have the benefit of less rotational mass going with a road cassette. For instance, a dura ace 9-spd cassette ways around half that of a regular lx/xt 11-34 cassette. If you don't race, there is no point in going with a road cassette.
The largest shimano road cassette is either Dura Ace or Ultegra 12-27 gearing. I think the main reason people run road cassette is weight reduction. I would only use a road cassette for a "rolling hill" short track course.
you might be left begging for more gears with only a 27 at the back...
you'd need a 20/29/42 or something similar to be fairly happy, not worth it imho.
you'd need a 20/29/42 or something similar to be fairly happy, not worth it imho.
Depends on the terrain you ride and how strong you are. When I lived back east, hills we raced on were short so you could get away with a 26 as the lowest and just grind a bit. The biggest advantage is the closer ratio. As pointed out, you have a better chance of finding the right gear. But I wouldn't want to ride here in North Vancouver with a 22X26 as my lowest gear. 30-32 is much better. There are many long climbs where you may be able to grind a bigger gear for a while, but that gets prettty old in 15 or 20 minutes and you'll be wishing for a lower gear.
Hmmm, I live in Salt Lake where we have massive hills in our races, I think it might be better to stick with the mtb cassette.
So wait...are any of the road cassette cogs low enough for spinning up long hills?
I live in colorado with monstrous hills (ummm mountains) also. Im running 20/32/42 on the front and dura ace 12-27 on the back. Thing is you only lose one extreme gear in the either end, compared to 22/32/42 with 11-32.
I like because its lighter, closer ratio and slightly shorter chain line.
I like because its lighter, closer ratio and slightly shorter chain line.
I think that is an excellent set up. I would do that in a flash if I could get a 20 tooth for my XTR cranks. Actually I tried to do just that with my xt 4 bolt set up but no one could find a 20 tooth granny. They were listed in parts catalogues but not in stock.
I run "road" cassettes on my XC bike, but only for racing. And that depends on terrain. I live in Southeast VA and local races do not have much elevation. For racing from the Piedmonts to the lowlands, I use a 11-25t with a short cage XT derailier and 42-32 combo up front. NO "G" required. If I head to any mountainous races, i.e.,WVMBA series, Snowshoe, Roanoke, etc., I'll change up. But than again, it all depends on the race. A group of us may actually do the 24hr@Snowshoe as a single speed team.
Downhill racing??? The same rules apply. Steep, continual runs and I'll use a "road" cassette. Whereas, some place like Massennutten gets a bit more low gear.
Either way, just experiment. You'll either adapt or you won't.
Later.
Downhill racing??? The same rules apply. Steep, continual runs and I'll use a "road" cassette. Whereas, some place like Massennutten gets a bit more low gear.
Either way, just experiment. You'll either adapt or you won't.
Later.
I just fall over in that gear. If you need anything smaller than the 27 you should be running that hill.