Current Projects chat and miscellany

11-28, which is like a 11-25 but with a 28t as an overdrive.

11-28: 11-12-13-14-15-17-19-21-23-25-28

Compact or standard?

At least a 28 if standard. So you don't have to grind up north downs.

I'd still go 11-28 or 29 if compact. Maybe 30t if standard, so you can sit and spin without having to go anerobic just to get over the steep part at 50rpm.

Perfect, still debating over compact or standard, I am learning a lot very quickly!

Compact always.

Got similar benefit of a triple.

Personally I'd go for Compact if it's a do-it-all bike.

Gearing is about as personal as it gets but from what you describe I'd go for 50/34 and 11-28.

Compact. Don't bother with standard.

50/34 and 11-28 and you can do anything.

Thanks hive mind!

http://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-ultegra-6870-di2-groupset-65274.html

Yep, Merlin was my thoughts too, cheers.

Di2? I thought you wanted mechanical for half that?

Why would anyone choose mechanical if they've the choice?

Great gear calculator here: you can compare two set-ups, so you can see how what you have compares to what you'd like.

With 11 speed, I don't think there's any need for a standard over a compact unless you're hardcore. :)

Why would anyone choose mechanical if they've the choice?

£500 less and a winter build.

Titanium frame winter bike. Not a ribble alu bike!

Especially if winter bike. Saves replacing cables and keeps the shifting nice, not having to adjust cables. Plus if touring allows to shift easily.

I didn't check skinny's link, I'm ordering from Merlin but not Di2 and I'm deffo not hardcore so compact sounds right!

Why would anyone choose electronic?

waste of money and you're fucked if anything goes wrong on the road.

Personal choice.

But you're not stuck of something goes wrong. You can still shift it into little ring and just pick appropriate rear sprocket with final reserve shifts and then ride somewhere to help.
No different to if a cable snaps, which actually leaves you in the bottom sprocket/ring.

Especially if winter bike. Saves replacing cables and keeps the shifting nice, not having to adjust cables. Plus if touring allows to shift easily.

I've seen some riders having to quit the LEL due to Di2 failure and no way of fixing it, so best to err on the side of caution.

^^^ not sure that's true. The Shimano setup is pretty clever. Don't the mech reset themselves to 'get you home mode', call your mum and order pizza?

Or something.

Or something.

Common Mechanical Problems On London Edinburgh London

Di2 electronic shifters
Before I started on shift, the other mechanic guy Richard said he saw a couple of these that had failed due to water ingress. However, we didn’t see this problem later on and it was still wet. I surmise that there is more than one design for the place where the water leaked in

How to avoid this:

Don’t buy electronic shifters for a year or two until they’ve got the problems sorted out

An 11t top sprocket would give you 120gi on 25mm tyres: seems a bit excessive.

12-25 has a nicer spread with smaller gaps twixt gears and the 34 range overlaps nicely with the 50 range.

11-21
53-39

htfu

Back from the dead.

...seems a bit excessive.

...and this is where it gets personal.

Are you the type of person who'll pedal down that slope, or chase, or sprint? If 'No' then go for a 48t (or 46t) chainring.