joe@vwvortex

I'm kicking myself for not doing this originally. I initially didn't do it because of cost considerations as well as the fact that I didn't ever think of running a 26/39/53 in front which would allow us to have a decent low gear with the 29T max in the rear.

I've run my Record Ultra Ergo 10's with a 28/42/54 in the front and 9 speed 11-32 in the rear - with an older style XTR rear derailleur using the cable wrap trick and then more recently SRAM X-9 modified by DaVinci to work with Campy Ergo levers. Both worked fine - but there was always a few niggling shifting issues and it took forever to dial them in as they always seemed more susceptible to cable stretch etc. My biggest problem though was with the gaps between gears, but we needed that low for the hills we do.

With my recent rear wheel failure I finally decided to pull the trigger on a Campy equipped Rolf wheel. I then purchased two Campy Veloce 10sp clusters - one 13-29 and one 11-23. While I could have bought just the 11 and 12 tooth cogs - for what I paid on eBay for the 11-23 cluster with a 11T lock ring - it was cheaper than any place I could find the 11 and 12 cogs and lock ring. I also picked up a Campy Record 10sp chain and found a NIB Campy Record Long Cage derailleur circa 2007.

I also switched my front chainrings to 26/39/53 using FSA rings and a Salsa 26T small ring since I have the older style FSA Carbon Pro Team cranks. I also installed a Jump Stop per the recommendations of the board. I've been running a Dura Ace triple upfront.

So the result of all these changes has been great! Numerically on paper we lost a very small fraction of our lowest gear - but it's not apparent at all while riding and the bike shifts so much better in part because we are running less chain, and smaller rings front and rear and with the smaller front rings we ride lower in the cluster as well.

The gaps between gears are much smaller as well and with the 10 vs 9 speeds - i've picked up more usable gears as well. Riding over the past couple weekends even my wife commented that we feel like we in the right gear all the time.

Now if Wound Up would hurry up with their redesign of the Duo Disc fork I can install my new front wheel and disc brake!!

mkane77g

I was going to ask about the fork, but. 10 speed is nice. We also switch from 12-23 to 12-27, and run a 26t. Depends mostly on fitness level. Were also not afraid to use the 26 as this keeps chainline in check. We never stand while using the small ring unless it's 20% or more. The jump stop has been used more than once.

joe@vwvortex

I'm REALLY frustrated about the whole fork issue. I had purchased one on eBay prior to ordering the wheels that day. Then I get an email from the seller that they don't have any in stock (although they list 3 as available) and that they drop ship them from the manufacturer and they are 4-8 weeks in backorder. I've called WoundUp 4 times and left messages with no return calls. I've called several shops that list them as "in stock" on their website and have received no return calls.

I finally called CoMo and they told me what was going on - that they are redesigning the fork disc attachment area to have better fitment for the disc on Rolf and a couple other disc wheels/hubs. Right now CoMo is expecting forks in about 3 weeks.

I used to switch cassettes from a 11-27 to 11-32 but got tired of doing that so just ran the 11-32. With the current gearing - I get the best of both worlds.

Chris_W

So what cog sizes are now in your custom 11-29 cassette?

joe@vwvortex

11, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 26, 29

You add the 11-13 from the 11-23 and replace the 13 and 14 and remove the 16 from the 13-29. All the cogs are "a" cogs and all the spacers are the correct ones. Why Campy doesn't sell this is beyond me.

lhbernhardt

I am curious to know how the 10spd chain holds up. I know track racers who can break 10spd chains on their singles (not sure if Campag, Shimano, or SRAM), so have stayed with 9spd (10sp Ergopower shifter, Shimano 9sp cassette (12-28), Ultegra derailleur with cable-wrap trick.

Luis

joe@vwvortex

I don't know. In all honesty - we are using the middle of the cluster more - so the chain is at less extreme angles more so than it was before. Although smaller cogs tend to wear a bit faster - in the end - I think the difference will be negligible. If it wears faster - i'll replace it sooner. It's worth every penny to having the improved gearing and shifting. Especially not having to deal with the cable wrap trick, which in itself has been claimed to put more "stress" on the cable where it attaches. I never had a cable break there though.

Ritterview

Sprinters such as these are subjecting their 10 and 11-speed chains to as many as 1600 watts, which is more than our tandems will ever see, and I've never heard of any snapping, nor did a Google search reveal any examples. Durability may be a different story, but the chains are plenty strong enough.

lhbernhardt

Thanks, I enjoyed the interview with Cavendish. But the top pros are likely to be getting new chains fitted for each stage; a clean chain is just so much easier to turn than a dirty one! You're right, it could be nothing to worry about; I did find one mention of a broken DA 10sp chain googling "broken bicycle chain," and it was not at the master link. I will still reserve judgment until everybody is using 10sp on tandems!

Luis

Butcher

I use Record 10 chains for the timing and drive and never had a problem. But, I too do not generate 1600 watts either. Cleaning is done regularly and neither chain has been replaced in >2k miles.

VaultGuru

+1 on butcher. We have used Campi Record 10sp chains on our tandem since it was new. Probably have 4k on them. I clean the chain and cassette every 300 miles. No appreciable wear noted. To make the shifting a little smoother, I use a short piece of BMX plastic brake cable lining underneath the front crank for both derailleur cables and thread another one under the rear crank and up through the guide for the front derailleur. With a clean chain and cassette, the shifting is butter smooth. We ride mostly hills, so there is a lot of opportunity to incur chain problems. Campi has always performed extremely well