Campag cassette dilemma

[Winnershsaint]

I've got a new bike equipped with a Campag Centaur group set with a 10 speed compact with a 12-25 cassette on the back. That gives me a bail out gear of 34-25 compared to 30-25 on the Tiagra triple on my other bike. Although the 30-25 bail out gear was infrequently used, I did find I needed to use it on some of the hills in a summer sportive around West Berks, as well as on some the Chiltern climbs I do, Turville Hill springs to mind. I am a little concerned as to whether I have sufficiently low gears on the compact double. I have talked with my lbs and the best compromise they can come up with to ensure the drivetrain is all Campag is to fit a 13-29 cassette. which means I get a roughly equivalent bail out but lose my 50-12. Unsure what to do.

 

[2Loose]

Ride the other bike when you are going hill climbing?

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Am not sure which rear mech cage length you have, in terms of wrap range, but you can check here and/or push it per this guide. If range is not an issue why not mix and match the rings of the old cassette and new to arrive at a 12-29? Marketing bumpf says adjacent cogs are specifically and relatively shaped to aid shifting, but I have never noticed any ill effect. It costs nothing and worth a try anyway.

I presume you know already others sell Campag spaced 12-29 10 sp cassette.

 

[boydj]

How often do you run 50 x 12? Not so often that you'd lose much having only 50 x 13 I'd bet. You would have to be going pretty fast to spin out on that. A bit of work on your cadence and you'll be fine.

 

[Winnershsaint]

Thanks for some useful comments. Initially I was getting an Ultegra equipped bike, and was having the cassette switched to an 11-27 as part of that purchase. When the lbs couldn't source that bike and offered me an alternative that was Campag Centaur equipped the said they would still change the cassette if I wanted, but the nearest actual Campag cassette was 29-13. Given this doing anything more complicated through the lbs
would probably be a bit off.

I take the point that I could simply ride my other bike, but that rather negates the purchase of the new bike, which is considerably lighter and in part was bought so I could go climbing. Believe me there is a significant difference between the two particularly in the Chilterns.

In answer to the other posts. Yes I do know that there are campag compatible cassettes from companies like BBB, but I've kind of been put off them by the lbs (very knowledgable and bit of a purist). There is also something in me that wants to keep the drivetrain all Campag.

As far as running 50-12 the answer to that is not very often. Occasionally on long fairly gradual descents I might switch up into that gear because I spin out using 50-13, but more often than not I use descents for free speed. I value my knees too much to try running the 50-12 on anything like flat terrain.

I suppose the other option is to actually try the cassette I have out and see how I get on with it. I am just wary of making a decision I might regret later.

 

[lukesdad]

30/25 and 34/25 Why on earth are you looking at a 29 on the back anyway ? Why not a 26 or 27 ?

 

[youngoldbloke]

I am running a Miche 12-27 with Veloce and it seems just as smooth as my original 11-25 Campag cassette (and the 2007 short cage mech handles 27T fine).

 

[Moss]

I've got a new bike equipped with a Campag Centaur group set with a 10 speed compact with a 12-25 cassette on the back. That gives me a bail out gear of 34-25 compared to 30-25 on the Tiagra triple on my other bike. Although the 30-25 bail out gear was infrequently used, I did find I needed to use it on some of the hills in a summer sportive around West Berks, as well as on some the Chiltern climbs I do, Turville Hill springs to mind. I am a little concerned as to whether I have sufficiently low gears on the compact double. I have talked with my lbs and the best compromise they can come up with to ensure the drivetrain is all Campag is to fit a 13-29 cassette. which means I get a roughly equivalent bail out but lose my 50-12. Unsure what to do.

Two options!

The first option take the 13/29 because how often are you going to outpedal that 13, tooth cog?

The second option Buy a Shimano 11/28 you probably wont need to alter the chain?

I'd go with the 13/29 and extend the chain by one or two links.

 

[youngoldbloke]

A Shimano 11-28 is not compatible - the OP has a CAMPAG setup. The spacing between the cogs is fractionally different. 34x27 is only an inch or so higher than 30x25.

 

[Winnershsaint]

30/25 and 34/25 Why on earth are you looking at a 29 on the back anyway ? Why not a 26 or 27 ?

Mainly because I'm going with the lbs advice. This is not an area in which I'm in any way knowledgable. I probably rank as something of a mechanical idiot so in a sense I've got to seek sound advice, hence the OP. I know there is a Campag 13-26 which would still give me a lower gear, and as I've stated I want all Campag components in the drivetrain.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Unless you're of mature years or a rather stout sort of chap I'd stick with what you've got. You say the new bike is a lot lighter than the other one, well problem solved, it's going to be easier to push up hills and 34/25 is quite low anyway.

 

[albion]

Gearing depends on need.My granny is 24/34 on a 700C wheel yet it is not unknown to see 22/34 or even 22/36!

 

[Winnershsaint]

Unless you're of mature years or a rather stout sort of chap I'd stick with what you've got. You say the new bike is a lot lighter than the other one, well problem solved, it's going to be easier to push up hills and 34/25 is quite low anyway.

54 in 6 weeks time. Cycling for two years. Can sustain around 18mph for around 3+hrs on up and down terrain but slower on the steep stuff. Getting thinner the more I ride.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Mainly because I'm going with the lbs advice. This is not an area in which I'm in any way knowledgable. I probably rank as something of a mechanical idiot so in a sense I've got to seek sound advice, hence the OP. I know there is a Campag 13-26 which would still give me a lower gear, and as I've stated I want all Campag components in the drivetrain.

If you are determined to stick with all Campag you haven't got much choice - 26, or 29 lowest, as you know, and losing the 12. So there isn't much other sound advice we can give you if you are not willing to try another make of cassette. Don't understand why Campag don't make a 27 or 28.