Southern California - So Cal needs a long thread "What's Up?" type thread!

FSA or Campagnolo?

How about Shimano? My indexed front shifting seems to work pretty well for me.

FSA or Campagnolo?

Sacha's having some "work done" at the end of the month. New compact handlebars, new wrap (haven't decided yet), Record skeletons. I'm also replacing her 50 chainring. It hasn't been shifting as fast as I'd like under load and my mechanic, Manny, pointed out that the backside of the S-Works ring has less ramp than some other brands. So the question is.... do I go with the black FSA outer ring (which would look very cool on Sacha) or double the price and keep my gal true to Campy? And if I go with the FSA, should I swap out both 50/34 rings to stay OCP? I really don't need to, but.......... :rolleyes:

(We're off to ride. Sacha and I will discuss this while we're on the road)


Joy, my guess is that it shifts just fine. A compact crank is going to take longer to get to the large ring because of the increased tooth difference. I doubt you will notice a difference replacing the large ring. You have 20,000-30,000 miles left in it, I would wear it out first before deciding upgrade paths.

Joy, my guess is that it shifts just fine. A compact crank is going to take longer to get to the large ring because of the increased tooth difference. I doubt you will notice a difference replacing the large ring. You have 20,000-30,000 miles left in it, I would wear it out first before deciding upgrade paths.

I agree. I have an FSA compact (although the lower end Gossamer), and the shifting is definitely slower and less precise than the standard double (also FSA Gossamer) it replaced. Some people replace the 34 inner with a 36t ring, which preserves the 14t jump that you have with a standard double.

You guys are probably right, but I'm going to experiment with it anyway since Sacha's already scheduled for the shop. My shifting is actually pretty good except, as I pointed out, the few times I do it under load. I do have the Shimano option, too. I still have some time to figure it out, so I'll have to do some more homework.

BTW, it's been a light rain/heavy drizzle for a couple of hours now. I got soggy cold and now don't feel like riding anymore. I'm a wuss. :(

BTW, it's been a light rain/heavy drizzle for a couple of hours now. I got soggy cold and now don't feel like riding anymore. I'm a wuss. :(

I just bailed on my wed ride, too. Combination of the dreariness, and not being motivated to ride my crappy back-up bike again.

Sacha's cranks are not Campy? :eek::eek::eek::eek:

Why are you bothering to upgrade your already-Campy brakes when you have that huge unwelcome interloper of a crank clinging to Sacha like an unsightly zit?

Campy Record Carbon Compact. This instant. No wonder Sacha's shifting is off. It's a cry for help.

Good early morning ride. La Tuna definitely is more heavily trafficked on weekday mornings. A lot of folks driving way too fast to get to the 210.

Sacha's cranks are not Campy? :eek::eek::eek::eek:

Why are you bothering to upgrade your already-Campy brakes when you have that huge unwelcome interloper of a crank clinging to Sacha like an unsightly zit?

Campy Record Carbon Compact. This instant. No wonder Sacha's shifting is off. It's a cry for help.

Dan!!!! :mad::D

Sacha came with the S-Works crankset. I have had no problems with the cranks so far, but I'll experiment with the chainrings. The only cranky thing I'm wondering about is the new low-profile set from Fulcrum. I'm intrigued, to say the least. And Fulcrum is Campy, as you know! ;)

Fulcrum is OK. I guess.

Joy, my guess is that it shifts just fine. A compact crank is going to take longer to get to the large ring because of the increased tooth difference. I doubt you will notice a difference replacing the large ring. You have 20,000-30,000 miles left in it, I would wear it out first before deciding upgrade paths.

I agree also.... I am willing to bet no noticeable difference in shifting performance with a ring replacement.

FSA or Campagnolo?

Sacha's having some "work done" at the end of the month. New compact handlebars, new wrap (haven't decided yet), Record skeletons. I'm also replacing her 50 chainring. It hasn't been shifting as fast as I'd like under load and my mechanic, Manny, pointed out that the backside of the S-Works ring has less ramp than some other brands. So the question is.... do I go with the black FSA outer ring (which would look very cool on Sacha) or double the price and keep my gal true to Campy? And if I go with the FSA, should I swap out both 50/34 rings to stay OCP? I really don't need to, but.......... :rolleyes:

(We're off to ride. Sacha and I will discuss this while we're on the road)

That's not even a legitimate question.

Campy and be done with it.

rode to work today, nice day for it to mist a lil, bike didn't get too dirty, gave it a quick detailing before the water dried up.

I just bailed on my wed ride, too. Combination of the dreariness, and not being motivated to ride my crappy back-up bike again.

I got downright wet on the ride in to work.
Good thing my commuter sprouted fenders over the weekend.

Interesting, with a dayglo green rain jacket and a PB superflash blinkie on full boil
I got buzzed about 4 times more than on a normal dry morning,
guess they couldn't see me.

mine is only 4 miles

I assume your S-works compact crank is 110 BCD, in which case Campy won't work. For some reason, Campy chose to NOT make their chainrings 110 BCD when they came out with their compact crank design.

Dang!....someone else had mentioned this to me before. I completely forgot about this and ordered a Stronglight 36T ring (Nashbar branded) just yesterday to replace my 34. Oh well.....I think I only paid $10 for it anyway.

What's happened with all this rain....uhhhgg...no riding...mainly because i am not that hardcore.

its just mist, if I can get married in the rain, I can ride in the rain LOL

i don't mind...but the commute is sucky as everything gets wet...just riding i don't mind...i actually kinda like it in a sick twisted lance armstrong commercial kinda way..

FSA or Campagnolo?

Sacha's having some "work done" at the end of the month. New compact handlebars, new wrap (haven't decided yet), Record skeletons. I'm also replacing her 50 chainring. It hasn't been shifting as fast as I'd like under load and my mechanic, Manny, pointed out that the backside of the S-Works ring has less ramp than some other brands. So the question is.... do I go with the black FSA outer ring (which would look very cool on Sacha) or double the price and keep my gal true to Campy? And if I go with the FSA, should I swap out both 50/34 rings to stay OCP? I really don't need to, but.......... :rolleyes:


As others have pointed out, that's a joke right?

I have FSA compact cranks, it simply won't shift to the big ring under load. I don't often need to make that kind of shift, so it's not that big of a deal to me. However, it's still high on my list to upgrade. I'm waiting to hear how people like the ultegra sl compact crank.

I've always made it a habit of not shifting chainrings under load with road bikes. I run Campy compacts and I have no idea how they would perform under load.

i don't mind...but the commute is sucky as everything gets wet...just riding i don't mind...i actually kinda like it in a sick twisted lance armstrong commercial kinda way..

your commute is ALOT longer, I'm only out there 15-20 minutes MAX:p

It's actually quite nice now. I think I'll sneak out for a quick run.

I rode into work today. Finally decided to start wearing my fleece cycling tights again. Much warmer and my knees are happier. :D

I've always made it a habit of not shifting chainrings under load with road bikes. I run Campy compacts and I have no idea how they would perform under load.

I think the other thing is that Joy is coming from a triple, where the jump between middle to big chainring is only 10 teeth (if the middle was a 42). That is a MUCH easier shift than the 16 tooth jump between rings on a compact double. I know with my FSA compact, shifting is quite finicky - it will sometimes drop off the inside going down, and sometimes throw the chain completely over and off the outside ring when going up.

I'm sweating like mad right now even though all I wore were shorts and short sleeves in this 64 degree weather (current temp) for a quick 1-hour ride. I have no idea how I survived the high temperatures during the summer.

Catching up. Hope you recover soon, Dan. I guess nothing too major since you can still type? :D

I went for an exercise workout yesterday at lunch. The same one that caused my leg muscles to get sore for 4 days last week is ok this time! Yeah!

My Shimano compact shifts fine under load. You know, their new Ultegra SL is darkish, right? Full campy set except for the 50 Ultegra SL chainring...

I havn't tried shifting my new FSA's under load, but I don't have compacts. I'm a newb to all these higher end part:p

I think the other thing is that Joy is coming from a triple, where the jump between middle to big chainring is only 10 teeth (if the middle was a 42). That is a MUCH easier shift than the 16 tooth jump between rings on a compact double. I know with my FSA compact, shifting is quite finicky - it will sometimes drop off the inside going down, and sometimes throw the chain completely over and off the outside ring when going up.

Not so much the triple thing, Mark. And 99% of the time my shifting is as smooth as buttah. But here's when I need it the most: When I'm cresting a hill/roller and I'm riding with a bunch o' men with their man muscles. Most people cruise a few pedal strokes at the crest, shift up and their momentum takes them over and down the other side. But sometimes I can't spare those few seconds because it only takes me that long to lose contact with guys on a downhill. I have to sweep up into my big ring and immediately start hammering over and down the hill just to keep up with heavier people, who are typically just coasting. If I lose the suck, I'm gone off the back :(

i'll shift the rear under load in sprints....but i never shift up under load...that seems allot worse sounding...

i've decided i am riding home soon....gonna take the 30 mile route...

iam sure julie is going to yell at me for riding in the rain.

be safe!!!

It's drying up here, just in time for a lunch ride, thinking of down out and back Del Dios for a quick 20.

Not so much the triple thing, Mark. And 99% of the time my shifting is as smooth as buttah. But here's when I need it the most: When I'm cresting a hill/roller and I'm riding with a bunch o' men with their man muscles. Most people cruise a few pedal strokes at the crest, shift up and their momentum takes them over and down the other side. But sometimes I can't spare those few seconds because it only takes me that long to lose contact with guys on a downhill. I have to sweep up into my big ring and immediately start hammering over and down the hill just to keep up with heavier people, who are typically just coasting. If I lose the suck, I'm gone off the back :(

I have the answer!! Just do all your climbing in the big ring. Dang, I am smart

Not so much the triple thing, Mark. And 99% of the time my shifting is as smooth as buttah. But here's when I need it the most: When I'm cresting a hill/roller and I'm riding with a bunch o' men with their man muscles. Most people cruise a few pedal strokes at the crest, shift up and their momentum takes them over and down the other side. But sometimes I can't spare those few seconds because it only takes me that long to lose contact with guys on a downhill. I have to sweep up into my big ring and immediately start hammering over and down the hill just to keep up with heavier people, who are typically just coasting. If I lose the suck, I'm gone off the back :(

I know exactly what you're saying Joy. In that case why don't you just stay in the small ring until after you crest the hill and just go to smaller cogs instead? Once you pick up some speed you can shift onto the big ring. In fact, now that I think about it and writing this down, that's exactly what I do.

I have the answer!! Just do all your climbing in the big ring. Dang, I am smart

Jim, you might be able to do that. Not me! :rolleyes: ;)

In that case why don't you just stay in the small ring until after you crest the hill and just go to smaller cogs instead?

Thanks, George. I've tried that, and found I run out of gears too quickly. I can even do multiple cog jumps (yay), but my cadence goes up so quickly that I have encountered different shifting issues than my original one. I suppose I could just practice until I find a happy medium. :p

Fudge. I have to go see a client. Later BF! :)

Thanks, George. I've tried that, and found I run out of gears too quickly. I can even do multiple cog jumps (yay), but my cadence goes up so quickly that I have encountered different shifting issues than my original one. I suppose I could just practice until I find a happy medium. :p

Just get a fixed gear and forget about all this shifting nonsense.....:p

you can try clicking upgear 1-3 gears as you get close to crest the climb, then use downshift the back 1 gear as you change into big ring up front. I find the cadence will stay about the same doing this.

Speaking of watching the same movie every time it comes on, I think The Great Escape is on the top of my list. I remember watching it on Channel 5 countless times over the years. :D

I still remember seeing that at the drive-in with my family. One of the best movies ever made...I own it on DVD and yet I still watch it if it's on some channel. My 11 year old daughter loves it also...I think it's Steve McQueen.

[Whoops, this subject was over for about a day already]

Deciding between a dinotte w/li-ion (more $ and burn time that I don't need) or one with AA batteries (cheap battery replacements and improving rechargeable techs). Decisions, decisions.

Deciding between a dinotte w/li-ion (more $ and burn time that I don't need) or one with AA batteries (cheap battery replacements and improving rechargeable techs). Decisions, decisions.

what does this mean?

You're talking tail lights I assume... I'm happy with my cheap blinkies. I have several and just ordered another yesterday, PB Super Flash.

Thanks. It's actually for headlight. Same light either way; just a matter of whether going for the AA battery version or the Lithium-ion rechargeable version.

I already have a 6+10w halogen, but it's not that good when I ride downhill on the way back home. The dinotte is narrower and projects much further. It's also good to have a backup light. :)

You're talking tail lights I assume... I'm happy with my cheap blinkies. I have several and just ordered another yesterday, PB Super Flash.

Hey...I just got a PB SF, too, although the one that I have from the 99 is darn good.

I have 2 tail lights. A $5 one and a freebie I won at bike to work day this year. :D

I think they're good enough, since my commute path is either well lit so drivers can see me, or wide open and unlit in which case even a weak blinky would do.

The pics of the Dinotte rear light seems pretty amazing though; but I'm not sure whether that's good or bad. Too unusual and it may cause the driver to stare at it with amazement rather than steering around you. That and $100 for a rear light is too much for me. :lol:

just when you think it can't get any worse...

just when you think it can't get any worse...

your wife comes home and tells you she is leaving you for a midget?

You're talking tail lights I assume... I'm happy with my cheap blinkies. I have several and just ordered another yesterday, PB Super Flash.

I've got both the Planet Bike Superflash and Cateye LD1000 on my commuter. The Cateye is a tad expensive, but i like it.

your wife comes home and tells you she is leaving you for a midget?That was a funny movie.

I need a new headlight for the roadie.....

I need a new headlight for the roadie.....

me too...i have two cheap ones and it's basically like riding in the dark...:eek:

i leave my house about 545am and it's wicked dark then.

Keep an eye on Nashbar for their lighting/electronics sales. I picked up a Planet Bike Alias halogen headlamp with a 15w bulb for right around $100 with shipping and taxes.