Bicycle Mechanics - Rear Wheel, shifter options for Polaris

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Barnaby
02-09-08, 08:07 AM
I have a small stable of bikes with 126 mm rear ends that all have freewheels or Phil Wood double fixed rear hubs.

I have now a Giordana Polaris SLX that I want to complete. I will need a bar ( has Campagnolo headset),
and a rear wheel, and shifters.

I have an Athena rear derailleur, and an Athena crankset (53,42). The bike has braze-ons for the front derailleur, and a 130 mm rear triangle.

Question: I want to complete the drive train into the smoothest possible, what are the compatible options for the new hub and rear wheel to go with the rear derailleur and crankset I have, and can I consider a brake/shifter combo on the bar?

I understand that the freehub/cassette has some advantages over the hub/freewheel combo. In gearing I want to stay as tight as possible, with no jumps-seems many cassettes sacrifice the 16 tooth cog.

Any help would be appreciated, Barnaby

HillRider
02-10-08, 08:48 AM
One way to get tight cassette spacing is to stick with a 13 or 12T small cog. Campy's 13x26 10-speed cassettes is a straight block from 13 to 19T and Shimano and Campy 12x23 10-speeds are straight from 12-19 also.
Barnaby
02-10-08, 11:14 AM
One way to get tight cassette spacing is to stick with a 13 or 12T small cog. Campy's 13x26 10-speed cassettes is a straight block from 13 to 19T and Shimano and Campy 12x23 10-speeds are straight from 12-19 also.

Thank You HillRider for taking the time to reply. I think I may be restricted to a fewer cog cassette though than 10. Not sure but I think tha the Athena RD may be made for 8-speed. If I have to go with 8, I am pretty sure a 22 or 23 large cog would be sufficint for the hills around here, thinking of 12,13,14,15,16,17,19,22. On my fixie, I use 49/18-I guess I perversly got used to the suffering. Hope I can still run a brifter type setup. Any comments?