9 speed upgrade help!

It doesn't matter which cassette you choose, what matters is the type of terrain (hills) you live near. Are there hills near you? If yes take the 13 - 25, unless your are a racer and also a brute the 12 cog is pointless. You can even go to a 27 cog in the back, sounds big but if there are any major hills near you then you will be thankfull you chose it.

If you live on flats you could happily use the 12 - 23, or even an 11 - 21 etc etc

Choose the cassette that suits your rides 🙂

rgoff said:

Need to know the 9 speed cassette I need to upgrade too. OK I'm a newbee, but which is right 13/23(seems right), 12/25, ect? No real hills, live in FL, road bike...rich

The type of 9-speed cassette you choose is completely up to you. I would recommend going with the 12/25 seeing how there aren't any hills near you. Or as Manji recommended, even an 11/21 would work, but I think a 12/25 would suit you just fine. What do you have in the front - i.e. are you using a triple or double chainring?

rgoff said:

Need to know the 9 speed cassette I need to upgrade too. OK I'm a newbee, but which is right 13/23(seems right), 12/25, ect? No real hills, live in FL, road bike...rich

What front chainring combo are you going to be riding (I am assuming double); 53/39T, 52/42T, etc?

Strength and peddling style (pounder vs. spinner (Ulrich vs. Armstrong if you prefer:rolleyes🙂 ) makes a difference in proper choice.

Pay attention to what ratios you like to cruise in. For example a standard 9-speed 12-25 (with 53/39T) always drives me nuts on flat windy rides because of the lack of a 16T cog. Flipping between the 15T and 17T cog in the big chainring and not being able tofind the sweet-spot drives me bonkers if I have a moderately strong headwind.

I agree, the "missing 16 and 18" in my 12-25 drove me to distraction, so I went for a 13-23, never used the 12 anyway and I have a triple on the front...