Double Chain Ring...yikes

[Biker Jo]

Thanks to everyone for your advice/suggestions. I guess I'm just going to have to wait until the compact Cannondale comes in so I can try it.

[aicabsolut]

your link pointed to Roubaix elite. A very nice bike. Good components. 105 front deraillure and ultegra rear. 53/39 chainring and 12 x 25 cassette, 9 speed cassette.

You could swap out the 12 x 25 cassette with something easier. Only ones I could find were 11 x 32 or was it 34. If you do this though, you may have to change your rear deraillure. The ultegra rear deraillure may not be able to handle the wide gearing combination. That will add to the cost.

The Elite in 2005 was roughly equivalent to the 2006 (and later) Comp level. So it is still a good bike. The Pro had Dura-Ace. The Elite did come in a triple, but since it's old stock, it is probably hard to find.

As for the cassette, the Ultegra rear derailleur will not accommodate a cassette that large. Campy can go higher than Shimano, but then you'd have the change most of the group.

Ciao, you are correct in that the compact's easiest gear with a 27 cog will be roughly the same as that 18 cog on your current little ring.

I know that Shimano will soon trickle down the 11-27 and 11-28 to lower levels than the 09 DA that's already out. However, it's hard to tell if that will be backwards compatible with the current double derailleurs, because that cassette in DA requires the new derailleur, due to chain wrap. BUT you can get a SRAM 10sp cassette with a 28 cog right now that will work with shimano double derailleurs. No need to wait there really.