Roadies, what gear ratios do you use in BC?

I've got a 52/39 with a 7 speed 11-28. I know that to convert to a compact setup, say 50/34, I will need new cranks. Would I also need a new rear derailleur, or will the one I have work?

Rear der. should not need to be switched out.

my ass needs a 28t. ; - )

52/39 with 11-25 10spd

I ride alot of road in the Vernon area with a 50/34, 12-28. Unless you're steadily riding the SilverStar road loop, I wouldn't think you'd need anything else. It really is quite flat around here.

I'm using 50/34 up front and 11/25 in the back. I'm not a super strong rider and I find that heading up Burnaby Mountain I'd like to have one or two more granny gears for climbing. I haven't tried taking the bike up Seymour or Cypress yet, but I suspect it would be murder with that bottom end.

im going 50/34 and 12/30! im jammin a 30 in there for my oldman knees…

That 50/34 drop is lame. I am running a 50/34 with 11-23 right now and still can't get it to work for me. Terrible. Drop to the 34 and spin out, or cross chain the snot out of the drive train. I am not happy with compact at all and am looking to move back to a 53/39 with the 11-23 or 11-25. Since I ride out towards the valley, the 28T is not too necessary and it is currently on the DH bike…

I didn't like the large drop either, and the 52/39 feels better and if rear shifting is also required it's not as much. Shifting wasn't great, but my brother has a decent 50/34 crank and drivetrain setup (DuraAce) and it shifts really well.

Why not get a cassette with a big spread? Ultegra comes in 12-30, so why get a 12-25 instead when you could have a the option of a higher cadence on a climb?

I didn't like the large drop either, and the 52/39 feels better and if rear shifting is also required it's not as much. Shifting wasn't great, but my brother has a decent 50/34 crank and drivetrain setup (DuraAce) and it shifts really well.

Why not get a cassette with a big spread? Ultegra comes in 12-30, so why get a 12-25 instead when you could have a the option of a higher cadence on a climb?

Smaller gaps across the cassette? So you can have that perfect cadence when you're not climbing… especially if you're riding rolling hills vs. big climbs.

Smaller gaps across the cassette? So you can have that perfect cadence when you're not climbing… especially if you're riding rolling hills vs. big climbs.

Looks like Shimano has been listening to the Clydesdales:
http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/road/ultegra/product.-code-CS-6800.-type-.cs_road.html

Makes sense to me. When it was 8 speed, 11-23 was fine. Three more cogs have been added, so why not give provide some ratios that allow for higher cadence on steep climbs.

53x39 and 12-27, 10s.

If the typical 12-27 is: 12,13,14,15,16,17,19,21,24,27 , that is fine with me….

I am not a fan of having an 11 cog in general, I probably wear my chains and cassette combos much too long, on one "utility" bike which is used around the city I have broken off the tips of several 11 cogs.

Following up a few months later, I stuck with my original setup 53-39 / 11-25 and it has served me well thus far. Even the Silver Star climb on a regular basis hasn't been too bad. While on occasion I wish I had a couple extra teeth on the cassette on that hill, just gotta suck it up. :dizzy:

So my gearing is 53/39 with 11-25 10spd. Ultegra Di2. '13 Giant TCR Advanced 0 doesn't list the derailleur series number

I might be interested in increasing my cassette range, 11-28, or 12-27 would be good too.
Anyway looking at the CS 6700 11-28 there is a note saying "CS 6700 11-28 requires the use of RD-6700 or RD-7900"
Looking at Shimano site 6800 is the 11spd Di2 Ultegra, so is 6700 the 10spd 2013 product year? Im not seeing how 3t would make a difference in derailleur length, but Ive been wrong many, many times before.