cfforum

Does anyone plan on changing their gearing in the front/back to 'ease' in to the Death Ride?

I have a 12-25 right now with a 50-34 compact double on the front.
I'm thinking I'd probably get a 12-27 or an 11-28 cassette.

Has anyone done the Death ride with the 12-25? What was your experience?

Not sure why you would care what anyone else's experience is, what does your training tell you?

The 12-27 is a no-brainer, and a 12-28 or 12-29 would be better, just make sure the rear dérailleur will handle it. It's not a time-trial, so not sure how the 11T would be of any use. Tuck and breath and save it for the next climb.

50-34 chainrings don't make very nice gears. They don't step inside of each other very well and there are a couple of duplicated gears IIRC. Swap the 50 for a 48 and go with 48-34. That combo makes beautiful half-step gears. Harris cyclery sells them. They're TA Alize.

I'll send you the gear charts if you want to look first. Just send me an email.

Since you already have the compact setup (34 x 50) I'd stay with it unless you don't mind spending the extra dollars.

Having ridden with you on several occassions on climbing routes, I'd recommed going with the 12-27 cassette. You're a masher more than a spinner; I think that 28 gear will be too "light" for you - and it creates a huge spread in ratio between the taller cogs making it more likely that you'll have difficulty finding the right cog to be in (on a steep climb, one cog might feel too heavy while the next too light - it can destroy your rhythm).

Notwithstanding what I've just said, if you're feeling "bonky" on the back of Ebbetts or on the windy ascent of Carson Pass, that 28 cog could be a life-saver. You'll be going real slow, but you'll still be going.