Reply [Yak] gearing advice for a novice

[Turk Family]

I am very happy with my NWT set up with a road double crank (53/39) and a
mountain cassette (11/32) with barcons and a medium cage derailleur.
Lighter and simpler than a triple, but an excellent gear range.  The shorter
derailleur is mostly for looks and the concept of ground clearance - I have
no proof that it actually has any practical benefits over the more common
long cage versions.

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Patterson [mailto:bicycleflyer at yahoo.com] 
Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2008 6:56 AM
To: thomas.cristina at clix.pt; Yak
Subject: Reply [Yak] gearing advice for a novice

====Quote==================
I want to change the gearing on my NWT but am a little confused about  
all the different configurations. My current set up is a triple  
chainring up front, 8 cogs at the back plus SRAM gripshift gear  
shifters. I never use neither the smallest nor the biggest cog (32  
tooth cog). Is there any benefit in replacing the existing cassette  
with something smaller? For example, will I be able to use a short  
cage derailleur? I want to swap the gripshift system for bar-end  
shifters. Apart from the rear derailleur is there anything else that  
will not be compatible? Does anybody have any personal  
recommendations or experience with setting up bar-end shifters?

any help or advice much appreciated
====End Quote==============

I have pretty much the setup you are talking about. I run a 30-42-52 triple
in front and a 13-23 eight speed in the rear, with barcons. It is a set up
that I really like and I actually get better performance in hilly terrain
than I did with the stock 11-28. There is something to be said for close
ratio shifting. It is nice being able to find just the right gear, or to
make small jumps up in the gearing. Even in hilly terrain.  I kept the long
cage dérailleur as I don't see any advantage to switching to a short cage.
So if you have a good dérailleur, save your money. The switch should be an
easy one. It sounds like all you need are barcons and a rear cassette. Oh
yea, some new cable and housing will be needed. Just pick a day and get to
work :-)

Paul in Cincy