Howdy all, I'm swapping out my Campy compact (34/50-12/27) for a standard (39/53-11/23) drivetrain. The chain has about 1000 miles on it and has stretched a bit so I'm going to get a new one to go with the new cassette, but I was wondering if I'll need new set of BB cups to go with the new crankset. They're cheap enough to replace but is it necessary?
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Domestique
MemberReason for the change is that even on my hardest climbs I never use my lowest ratios. I also find that all too often I'm spinning out on the top end, not always but enough that I wished I had a little more left over (especially descending). Seems that lately I find myself trying to upshift only to find that I'm already maxed out so time for a change in gearing. (I hope this didn't come off as sounding like I'm boasting)
Posted 2 years ago # -
Domestique
MemberI hear ya Sat, if I lived in beautiful Colorado I'd be swapping out my 27 for at least a 29 or even a 31. I have a couple of climbs which are challenging, one is a country road that's posted as 17% grade and another is the entrance road up to Bowman's Tower (General Washington's lookout post looking across Delaware river) which although doesn't have a grade posted feels much harder than the other. They're short climbs, less than 1/4 mile but they'll both have you kissing that front tire trying to make it up to the top. Coming back down Bowman's Tower is almost scary, it's so steep and has a couple of sharp curves that you'd better have a lot of confidence in your glue jobs or you're probably gonna roll a tire.
Posted 2 years ago # -
davidb
MemberI used to touch my chainstays with my big sloppy feet, until, to get a 8mm wider Q-factor, I changed to a triple. Humiliating, I know, but my chainstay is a lot happier.
The other part of course, is a huge gear range. 53-46-28, and 11-25. I'm covered for both directions on all the steep stuff around here. Today's lunch ride had a few 24% sections. I'll have to take the GPS out some time to see how high the best half mile climbs. I'm suspecting about 1200', but I might be dreaming.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Mark
MemberUnless your last name is Cancellara, you really only need the 11/23 cassette. A 50/11 will give you more top end than a 53/12 and not many people can even turn a 53/11 unless you routinely train at over 40 mph. I also think your dealer just wants to sell another chain because 1000 miles is nothing.
Posted 2 years ago # -
HillBilly
MemberRather than swapping out the entire crank set, why not go 11-25 cassette and then put a 36 tooth small chainring on instead of the 34? I run 50/36-11/25 on my bike and think it's a great all around combo. I find the jump from 50 to 34 a bit big. Like Mark mentioned, 50-11 is unlikely to be an inhibitor to top end speed.
Cheers
HillBilly
Posted 2 years ago # -
gearguywb
MemberSince I moved to an area that has shorter climbs I swapped my compact 50/34 for a set of 52/36 chainrings and am very happy. Still plenty of gear inches for climbing but increased the top end. Plenty of options out there without swapping the entire crankset unless you just want to.
Now I am rock'in (for me :))my RSL :).....Posted 2 years ago # -
Domestique
MemberHillBilly, I like the idea of running a 36 up front with a 11-25 cassette but here's a question... does Campy make a 36 chainring for the new '11 speed only' (dark gray)? I took a look on the Campy website and they're only showing 34-50 for the CT crank.
Gearguywb, your configuration looks very tempting too... basically moves the entire range up a couple of teeth, smart.
(thanks to all for your help).
Posted 2 years ago # -
Domestique
MemberCheck this out...
We're down in my buddy's basement workshop, he's been running a campy 11 speed 11-29, 34-50 setup and swears by it. He took the 11 & 12 sprockets from a 11-25 cassette and married it with a 12-29 cassette omitting the 16 sprocket. I took it for a spin around the neighborhood while we still had some daylight left to see if it was my cup of tea and loved it, brilliant!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Domestique
MemberUpdate...
We just swapped out my 34-50 for a 39-53 crank and installed a 11-29 cassette (same as my friend's). I got the top-end gearing I was looking for and I still have good low-end gearing for climbing the steep stuff... perfect.
I'm taking tomorrow off for a nice long weekend, guess what I'll be doing?... :-)
Posted 2 years ago # -
HillBilly
MemberGlad to hear you got things sorted, Domestique. It sounds like an interesting setup - do let us know how it handled on your long weekend ride.
Out of interest I am running Campy 10sp with a Cannondale Si compact crank with FSA 50 and 36 chainrings.
Cheers
HillBilly
Posted 2 years ago # -
Domestique
MemberWe're back at my friend's house (chowing down on leftover grub from last night's Halloween party), we just got in from a nice 50 mile 'shakedown' putting the 11-29 / 39-53 config thru it's paces and the verdict is... it worked flawlessly. There's all kinds of top end (almost too much) for descents and hammering and I also have a couple of bailout gears for climbing. I'm gonna swap out the 39-53 for my 34-50 just for laughs and giggles and head back out to see how it feels and then make a decision. Weather is 'beautiful', I LOVE this time of year.
Posted 2 years ago #
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