Ultra Light TransAm Ride

[e46rick]

The cassette is a 9 speed 11/30.  So I gather I should change it for a larger one.  Yes?  The Sora front derailleur has never worked.  In general the SORA drivetrain has been a pain.  I'm willing to upgrade to the best touring drivetrain if it can be done affordably.

Are you sure it's adjusted properly?  I know of several people that have had good luck with the Sora components.

That aside, the terms "the best" and "affordably" are generally not compatible with bike stuff. 

[RussSeaton]

The cassette is a 9 speed 11/30.  So I gather I should change it for a larger one.  Yes?  The Sora front derailleur has never worked.  In general the SORA drivetrain has been a pain.  I'm willing to upgrade to the best touring drivetrain if it can be done affordably.

Your crankset is 52-42-30 currently.  You will do OK if you leave the cassette alone as 11-30.  But change the inner chainring on the crankset to 24 teeth.  It has a 74mm bcd inner chainring.  It will take down to a 24 tooth inner chainring.  A new cassette of 11-32 or 11-34 will cost $30-40, so it may be worthwhile to do that too.  Have someone competent look at the front derailleur and set it up.  It should work.  If you replace the STI shifters with Shimano 105 for instance, that will cost you $250.  Maybe another $40 for a new Deore rear derailleur.  And $30 for a new front derailleur.  Changing the shifting parts on a bike is exorbitantly expensive.  Figure out how to get the Sora working.

[DaveB]

  The Sora front derailleur has never worked.  In general the SORA drivetrain has been a pain.  I'm willing to upgrade to the best touring drivetrain if it can be done affordably.

Sora certainly isn't the most elegant component group Shimano makes but it can work very well and there are no inherent weaknesses.  If yours isn't working properly, something has been installed or set up wrong or damaged and throwing money at new components isn't likely do get you any better performance unless you learn to set them up correctly.

[christof]

Got it.  I will get the SORA components reviewed before spending on an upgrade.  I will change the cassette to 9 speed 11-34.  And the small ring to a 24.

Does anyone have any concerns about the Mavic Ksyrium Equips running Conti 4S 28s for this kind of tour ride?  And I usually run my tires at near max inflation.  112psi.  I'm assuming a lower inflation would be better?  Would any other tire configuration make sense?  These wheels are rated up to 35mm, I believe.

[e46rick]

Got it.  I will get the SORA components reviewed before spending on an upgrade.  I will change the cassette to 9 speed 11-34.  And the small ring to a 24.

Does anyone have any concerns about the Mavic Ksyrium Equips running Conti 4S 28s for this kind of tour ride?  And I usually run my tires at near max inflation.  112psi.  I'm assuming a lower inflation would be better?  Would any other tire configuration make sense?  These wheels are rated up to 35mm, I believe.

I have a pair of Ksyrium SL's on a road bike but I've never used them for loaded touring.  The SL's were a race oriented wheel, I'm not sure how the Equips compare in that regard??  The SL's also have brand-specific aluminum spokes which could be very difficult to find should you need a replacement on the road.  Again, I'm not sure how the Equips compare.

For the long haul, I would be more comfortable with some good ol' 32 or 36 hole wheels with standard stainless steel spokes.

[christof]

I've used the Equipes for cyclcross riding without any issues.  I was planning to carry extra spokes.  And I was planning to carry no more luggage weight than 18 lbs, or less!

Am I nuts?!

[e46rick]

I've used the Equipes for cyclcross riding without any issues.  I was planning to carry extra spokes.  And I was planning to carry no more luggage weight than 18 lbs, or less!

Am I nuts?!

Nuts?
I don't think so.

Have you looked at some of the gear selections the bikepackers are using? 
If you haven't, check out bikepacking.net - those guys are obsessive about going light.

[John Nelson]

I will change the cassette to 9 speed 11-34.

Make sure your rear derailleur will handle it. I don't know how to do that, but somebody here does.

[RussSeaton]

I will change the cassette to 9 speed 11-34.

Make sure your rear derailleur will handle it. I don't know how to do that, but somebody here does.

You put the cassette on the hub and try to shift the derailleur.  If the upper pulley does not hit the cogs when in the lowest gear, it works.  32 cog always works.  34 cog may or may not work.  Just depends on how long your rear derailleur hanger is.