Different Cassette?

[jobob]

lph, since you feel the need to rehash this, I took issue with the "most people don't need" statement.

She was delivering a blanket pronouncement based on her own limited experience and her own particular set of circumstances, hardly a basis on which to determine what "most people" need.

But glad it didn't ruffle your feathers any.

[lph]

I hear you jobob, and I know it can be irritating when people make blanket statements. But in my opinion it was carefully and well put, and fodder for a good discussion, not inflammatory or condescending. From the point of view of a relative newbie to the cycling community: this looks like a "hot topic" I didn't know existed.

[Aggie_Ama]

Since others here ride a similar stock set up here is what I went with. I changed the 12-25 cassette to a 12-27 Shimano cassette. The LBS said Shimano doesn't recommend going to 12-28 probably just cause they don't make it but whatever. My goal was keep my Ultegra Rear Deraileur, giving me one more easy gear and keeping it cheap. I may end up looking into other options because I am pretty sure this won't be enough but I want to try it before dropping a lot of money. Right now I am only out $100 and have some more time to decide what I want.

Right now it only once a month or so that I get to enjoy these climbing quad busters, so it seemed silly to drop a lot of money on switching to a mountain set up. My budget was low right now because I am not completely ready to commit to changing so much.
My bike is now:
105 Front
Ultegra Rear
12-27 Ultegra Cassette

[OakLeaf]

Let us know how you like it. I'm strongly considering the same change to my bike.