Gearing Dilema- 7spd compact

[was8v]

My bike is a 1996 Giant Peloton with RSX 7spd STI compact gearing.

It was supplied with a an 11-24(I think) cassette and a triple front 26/36/46 chainrings.

The cassette and chain were well shot, but the chainrings are still OK.

I couldn't get hold of a 11-24 7spd cassette for love nor money - seems they weren't used much and have long been discontinued.

I saw 13-23 cassettes but I really wanted to keep the 11T for a high gear.

So I ended up with a 11-28 cassette.

Now this makes the triple redundant, and also I feel the top gear 46:11 is pretty low!

What top gear size do road bikes normally have? I know I'm suppose to be spinning but is my 46:11 low?

I can't find a big chain rings to fit my compact cranks - are there any out there?

Will I be better off with a larger double set up (I cant see me ever using the granny ring with that 28T)? If I'm buying a bigger double - should i get a 13-23 cassette for a closer spread of gears?

Being new to road bikes I have no idea what the norm or best option is!

Thanks

 

[hamster]

Firstly try www.roseversand.de for many more 7s cassettes. They are OK to deal with. They even do single cogs!!!! Madison just cannot be bothered to import much into the UK... :evil:

For a choice of chainrings try www.spacycles.co.uk

From what's available in the UK, I made an 11-21 cassette out of a 13-21 and an 11-28, and that works quite nicely.

For a road bike then you need something like a range from 107" down to around 45". Take your wheel diameter and multiply by the gear ratio. 46:11 sounds fine to me. Unless you have HUGE legs then much over 107" (around 4:1) is a bit of a dick-measuring contest and only useful over 30mph.

 

[TheGreenRabbit]

I have a nearly new 7speed close ratio cassette in my parts box, make me an offer !!

 

[was8v]

I have a nearly new 7speed close ratio cassette in my parts box, make me an offer !!

What are the ratios?

 

[Kerplunk]

Spa Cycles have 7sp 11-24 cassettes: http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b0s150p262

 

[fatfixie]

Your RSX compact is 110bcd- lots of bigger rings in that size.

If it were me, i'd get a used 39/53 c/set off ebay- 53/11 is plenty big!!

Andy

 

[barry2017]

46/11 is not a low gear. If you are spinning out at that ratio, well, chapeau.

If you aren't, perhaps you're pushing too hard. Dance on those pedals!

You'll miss your knees when they're gone.

 

[was8v]

46/11 is not a low gear. If you are spinning out at that ratio, well, chapeau.

If you aren't, perhaps you're pushing too hard. Dance on those pedals!

You'll miss your knees when they're gone.

I think technique is my problem!

I will buy an 11-24 cassette