Bicycle Mechanics - Compatibililty Q: Wife's compact double with mtb cassette

I'm spec'ing out a drivetrain for my wife's bike with the following components and getting ready to order the parts:

1) Centaur 10 sp brifters
2) Centaur long cage rear der. [I've read that this can accomodate a 11-32 and 11-34 despite mfg. reccommendation of max 29t cog]
3) Mavic Ksyrium SSC (already own with Shimano freehub) with SRAM 11-32 or 11-34 mtb cassette
4) Shiftmate #1
5) Chorus chain

Mated to a Chorus compact crankset/BB with a Centaur CT front der.

Will this work? I'm not sure about the chain (SRAM vs. Chorus?).

It will work. How well is another question. Being a long time Campy user I can say, Campy works it's best when you use all Campy parts in the drivetrain. While a Shiftmate will work in a pinch, it won't give as good performance as an all Campy drivetrain. Mavic makes a Campagnolo freehub body. IMO, use that and a campy cassette, they make a 13-29. The compact crank with a 13-29 will give you a very low gear.

Other than that, everything you have sounds good. The only non Campy part I've ever had any luck with was the KMC 10 sp chain, in the Campy version. It has worked very well so far. A lot cheaper than a genuine Campy also. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.


Tim

Is the cassette you plan on using nine or ten speed? Consider that IRD makes a 10-speed Campy compatible cassette with a 32T low end. With that and a Campy freehub, you'll have the best chance of getting something that will work.

http://www.interlocracing.com/

I had a mountain bike cassette on my wife's road bike but she hated the big ratio jumps. She likes to maintain a high cadence and the big ratio jumps was killing her cadence, more of a problem on flatter rides. Right now I've got her on an Ultegra triple with 49-39-28 chainrings and a 13-26 Shimano 9-speed cassette. This gives her plenty of close ratios but adds a lot of weight to the bike. I'd like to switch her to Campy because the shifters would fit her hands better and give her better braking.
So I share your concerns. I may pull the trigger on a 34-48 compact with a 10-speed 13-29 cassette, probably all Record where possible, and light wheels. If we were riding Colorado mountains I would keep her on a triple. I agree with trying to stay all Campy.

Al

Will the Campy rear derailleur accept a 32 or 34T rear cog? Campy says the maximum is 29T and usually you can get away with one or 2 more teeth. A 34 may put it over the limit.