Using same cassette

plc2

Member
I would like to upgrade my stock Sofrider v3 wheels and tires to 700c. Can I use the stock cassette on the new 700c wheel set or install a new cassette? I plan to upgrade the brakes to road bike brakes as we'll.
Thanks for the help.
Pedro
 

Charles.Plager

Recumbent Quant
I believe most 8,9, and 10

I believe most 8,9, and 10 speed shimano/SRAM cassettes can all use (mostly) the same hub. This suggests that you'll probably be able to use the same cassette on the new wheel.

Here are two unrelated questions:
1) What are you going to do about brakes?
2) (Out of curiousity) why are you upgrading? (I'm not suggesting you shouldn't be, I'm just curious why you are :) ).
 

plc2

Member
cplager, 
1. Replacing with


cplager,
1. Replacing with Tektro R556 long reach calipers 55-73mm..

2. A new or used Silvio is out financially. I'm looking for more speed.

I have about 900 miles on Sofrider since buying it in May from BBL.

Can I use same brake lever with new calipers?
 

Charles.Plager

Recumbent Quant
I don't think 700c will buy

I don't think 700c will buy you that much more speed. The biggest difference between 26" and 700c is that you can find a larger selection of tires for the 700c. If you replace the standard tires with nicer ones, that can help a bunch. Lowering the seat angle to make yourself more aerodynamic will help at higher speeds.

In my case, I went with Schwalbe Kojacs (and I took out tire liners) and my speed went up an average of 1.5 mph.

Replacing the wheels if you replace them with nicer hubs will help somewhat, too.

All that being said, it shouldn't hurt your performance (assuming your hubs and tires are at least as good).
 

Andrew 1973

Zen MBB Master
700C Sofrider

If I recall correctly, Doug Burton once said that 700C wheels can make quite an improvement in speed on the Sofrider. There are several nice examples of this configuration if you search the Web. As an option to the Tektro calipers you are considering, the Paul Moto X brakes would allow you to use your current levers, cables and brake mounts while affording adjustability to accomodate the larger diameter rims. The dowside is that the Pauls are more expensive.

I like the idea of adding performance and speed to a Sofrider; I feel that it is quite a versatile plaform to build upon.
 

Charles.Plager

Recumbent Quant
 Not to be one to disagree

Not to be one to disagree with Doug (even second hand. :) ), but almost all of the gains have nothing to do with the bigger wheel size, but rather just upgraded pieces (tires and hubs mostly).

700 c wheels do look better, but if you don't buy higher end pieces, there won't be any speed increase.
 

Andrew 1973

Zen MBB Master
Of course, one could use

Of course, one could use rubbish 700C wheels, but one need not break the bank buying over-priced wheels. The wheels avalaible from Cruzbike are a bargain for the performance gains offered. I would have a difficult time believing that those rims outfitted with a 25 or 28 width tire wouldn't offer an appreciable performance gain.

Maybe someone with expertise on this could chime in. For what it's worth, the Sofrider looks fine with stock wheels and performs well also. I do like the idea of making the bike faster though!
 

Charles.Plager

Recumbent Quant
  Why do you think

Why do you think 700c wheels are faster than 26" wheels? For the same tire at the same pressure, the difference in rolling resistance is going to be minimal and the air resistance (assuming same type of wheel) will be worse with bigger wheels.

Again, if he just puts on 700c copies of what he has now, there will be almost difference.
 

Andrew 1973

Zen MBB Master
I'm not an engineer

Hi Charles,

I have no concrete evidence why I feel that 700C wheels would be faster other than past experience with bicycles in different configurations. 700C wheels certainly can feel faster, but that's not enough to support the idea that larger wheels are faster. I used to ride a 650c equipped Cannondale, and it was certainly fast and nimble with its small wheels.

If Pedro opts to use the same cassette and the same chainrings, then the 700C will be faster per a given RPM and as the gearing will in effect be higher with the larger wheel diameter, i?f tire pressure and rolling resistance remain unchanged.

I may be wrong here, but I really don't care either way. It's Pedro's bike, and I am just agreeing the 700C would be a worthy upgrade.
 

plc2

Member
http://cruzbike.com/upgrading

http://cruzbike.com/upgrading-freerider-v1-700c-wheels
i found this upgrade so the new wheel set and brakes peaked my interest.
thanks for responding.
 

John Tolhurst

Zen MBB Master
In theory there would not be

In theory there would not be much difference, but generally in practice, 700c tires are built for road performance and 26 not.
 
Top