Cassette choice and # of teeth??

[roadkillross]

im looking for a tougher gearing on my dh bike. got a sram cassette now. im wondering what other DHers are running and what teeth ratios? thanks. im looking at an ultegra 11-23 btw

[Neccros]

I *MIGHT* have one of those.... If you need a used one....

[roadkillross]

used is always good for me

[andy aka rut]

Why not get a larger chainring instead? I'm not a DH guy, but that seems to be a lot less expensive.

[Keith B]

Yeah you need to look at the overall ratio, how close you want them stacked etc. Start with chainring choise then decide on cassette.

[RED5]

As a "DH Guy" I run a 38T ring w/ a 11-26 SRAM cassette currently, but will probably swap to a 12-23 SRAM cassette. This is generally what most DH'ers run, although the front chainring can very by 2 teeth +/-.

[autoduel]

Originally Posted by RED5

As a "DH Guy" I run a 38T ring w/ a 11-26 SRAM cassette currently, but will probably swap to a 12-23 SRAM cassette. This is generally what most DH'ers run, although the front chainring can very by 2 teeth +/-.

No wonder why I always see you guys pushing that heavy bike up the hills.

[DownhillWebKook]

Originally Posted by andy aka rut

Why not get a larger chainring instead? I'm not a DH guy, but that seems to be a lot less expensive.

Expense shouldn't be the limiting factor here. It's performance. The difference in $$ is not substantial in any case.

So here are a few reasons to go the smaller cassette route:

• you can reduce weight rather than adding it (bigger ring --> more metal --> more weight whereas smaller cassette --> less metal --> less weight)
• You can run bit shorter chain --> less weight --> less chain play --> less damage to chainstay --> crisp shifting
• Better tuning of rear mech. The smaller profile of a road cassette matched against the broad tuning range of a mtb deraileur leads to finer tuning --> quicker shifting.
• Smaller cassette allows for shorter caged deraileurs. They have lower profiles and are less susceptible to damage from skidders and draggers.
• Looks. A bigger chainring up front looks butt jenky. A road cassette looks international Gucci balla.

It's good stuff on the gravity bikes for sure.

[2wheel_lee]

On my M3, I run a 36 up front and a 12-27 Ultegra cassette. It gives me a wide enough, yet close enough spread to cover most all of my DH needs...again, providing that I'm generally heading in a downward direction. As we all know, since the bike is used in non-race conditions, going downward isn't always the direction of travel, which makes the 27 nice to have.

[jamesdc]

Originally Posted by roadkillross

im looking for a tougher gearing on my dh bike. got a sram cassette now. im wondering what other DHers are running and what teeth ratios? thanks. im looking at an ultegra 11-23 btw

I run that exact cassette on my dh bike and it works great and has actually lasted a long time and is still going.

[Foesnasty]

I run a 40 tooth up front and an ultegra 11-23 rear...