Campy cassette choices, none of them ideal
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: New York City
Posts: 189
Bikes: Seven Axiom SL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Campy cassette choices, none of them ideal
It's time to replace the chain/cassette on my Campy 9-speed, but I can't find a Campy 9-speed 12-25 cassette. (Probably a sign that I should upgrade the whole gruppo, but not this year.) I've got 39/53 chainrings and have always assumed 12-25 was the way to go in the back, though I honestly haven't experimented with other cassettes. So my choices seem to be:
Miche 12-25 cassette (I'd rather stick to Campy but...)
Campy 12-23 or 13-26
I'm also considering buying a 10-speed cassette, dropping one of the cogs, and using my 9-sp spacers -- will that work? There are plenty of 10-speed cassettes to choose from.
Any advice?
Miche 12-25 cassette (I'd rather stick to Campy but...)
Campy 12-23 or 13-26
I'm also considering buying a 10-speed cassette, dropping one of the cogs, and using my 9-sp spacers -- will that work? There are plenty of 10-speed cassettes to choose from.
Any advice?
#2
Senior Member
The 10 speed cogs are quite close to the same thickness as 9 speed, but not exactly the same, so you'll have a little error in overall width.
There is no 10 speed cassette that improves your choices after dropping a cog. You can't drop a first position cog without also replacing the second cog with another first position cog. An 11-25 could be made into a 12-25 with a 12T from another 9 speed cassette.
There is no 10 speed cassette that improves your choices after dropping a cog. You can't drop a first position cog without also replacing the second cog with another first position cog. An 11-25 could be made into a 12-25 with a 12T from another 9 speed cassette.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,096 Times
in
742 Posts
Do you really need the 12T small cog? A 53x12 is a 119" gear and a 53 x 13 is 110". A 110" gear will give you 33 mph at a cadence of 100 rpm so consider if that's sufficient. If the 13T small cog is enough, the 13x26 cassette is really a good choice as it's a straight block from 13 to 17.
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: New York City
Posts: 189
Bikes: Seven Axiom SL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Do you really need the 12T small cog? A 53x12 is a 119" gear and a 53 x 13 is 110". A 110" gear will give you 33 mph at a cadence of 100 rpm so consider if that's sufficient. If the 13T small cog is enough, the 13x26 cassette is really a good choice as it's a straight block from 13 to 17.
#5
Over the hill
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 24,372
Bikes: Giant Defy, Giant Revolt
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 996 Post(s)
Liked 1,204 Times
in
690 Posts
Get a Miche Campy splined cassette. Then if you want a different ratio, you can just buy some loose cogs to custom make a different cassette out of your 12-25.
__________________
It's like riding a bicycle
It's like riding a bicycle
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 9,438
Bikes: Trek 5500, Colnago C-50
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
Al
#7
Bianchi Goddess
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Posts: 27,858
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
Mentioned: 192 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2930 Post(s)
Liked 2,923 Times
in
1,491 Posts
I agree, I suspect if the 13-26 was put on without his knowledge he would never know the difference
but just what is the price difference?
but just what is the price difference?
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
#8
Over the hill
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 24,372
Bikes: Giant Defy, Giant Revolt
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 996 Post(s)
Liked 1,204 Times
in
690 Posts
The difference is about 3 mph at 120 rpm (38 mph to 41), but only the OP can decide if they would notice that or not. I would, but I have a long, straight, 40+ mph descent on my commute.
__________________
It's like riding a bicycle
It's like riding a bicycle
#10
don't try this at home.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: N. KY
Posts: 5,936
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 973 Post(s)
Liked 511 Times
in
351 Posts
I got a 13-26 10 speed cassette when I was going to ride in the mountains, and I kept it on the bike afterwards. I liked having the 18 tooth cog that is missing on the 12-25.
I have 34/50 chainrings, and the only time I miss a faster gear is if I want to pedal downhill over 32-34 mph. Otherwise, the 50-13 is good for group sprints up to at least 30 mph, which is as fast as I can go, anyway.
I have 34/50 chainrings, and the only time I miss a faster gear is if I want to pedal downhill over 32-34 mph. Otherwise, the 50-13 is good for group sprints up to at least 30 mph, which is as fast as I can go, anyway.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,096 Times
in
742 Posts
If you are commuting, then nobody is chasing you and you aren't trying to reel in a breakaway. Why pedal like mad when you are going that fast anyway and are better off to just lower wind resistance?
As to the OP's concern that his small ring will max out with a 14T, uuhh, that's why the maker gives you a big ring. Feel free to use it.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,487
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 140 Post(s)
Liked 162 Times
in
89 Posts
Wow, 40 mph and I'm cashing in my downhill dollars, no pedaling for me. This coming from a person who's thankful everyday for the 13 x 29 ten speed cassette that Campy offers.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Boulder County, CO
Posts: 1,511
Bikes: '92 22" Cannondale M2000, '92 Cannondale R1000 Tandem, another modern Canndondale tandem, Two Holy Grail '86 Cannondale ST800s 27" (68.5cm) Touring bike w/Superbe Pro components and Phil Wood hubs. A bunch of other 27" ST frames & bikes.
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 110 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
It's time to replace the chain/cassette on my Campy 9-speed, but I can't find a Campy 9-speed 12-25 cassette. (Probably a sign that I should upgrade the whole gruppo, but not this year.) I've got 39/53 chainrings and have always assumed 12-25 was the way to go in the back, though I honestly haven't experimented with other cassettes. So my choices seem to be:
Miche 12-25 cassette (I'd rather stick to Campy but...)
Campy 12-23 or 13-26
I'm also considering buying a 10-speed cassette, dropping one of the cogs, and using my 9-sp spacers -- will that work? There are plenty of 10-speed cassettes to choose from.
Any advice?
Miche 12-25 cassette (I'd rather stick to Campy but...)
Campy 12-23 or 13-26
I'm also considering buying a 10-speed cassette, dropping one of the cogs, and using my 9-sp spacers -- will that work? There are plenty of 10-speed cassettes to choose from.
Any advice?
How cool would it be to fine tune your cassette for a Horrible Hilly ride, a corncob for hammering on the flats or a criterium, or a wide range for just cruising around in the countryside (or bike camping).
#14
Bianchi Goddess
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Posts: 27,858
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
Mentioned: 192 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2930 Post(s)
Liked 2,923 Times
in
1,491 Posts
"but just what is the price difference?". I guess I should have made it more clear. what is the price diference between the Miche and the Campagnolo?
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 9,438
Bikes: Trek 5500, Colnago C-50
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
Go with a Mavic cassette. You can space the cassette to use with Campy 9 (includes the spacers) and use it on a Shimano freehub. The coolest thing about the Mavic cassette is that you can completely customize every cog choice. A Mavic cassette lot with 21 cogs covering the whole range up to 28t today sold on eBay for around $100.
#16
Over the hill
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 24,372
Bikes: Giant Defy, Giant Revolt
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 996 Post(s)
Liked 1,204 Times
in
690 Posts
Pretty much. 6-8 mph for me, and the stronger riders would be ashamed at me for that. It averages 5% for about 4 miles.
Because it's fun. However, I don't pedal the whole time. I pedal like mad near the top until the grade gets past 5% and then tuck for the remaining 3.5 miles.
Ahh, I see. Miche is a little less expensive iirc, but it's not about that. I've heard people say that Miche wears faster and is heavier, but the advantage is in being able to buy loose cogs to mix and match for any gearing combination you want.
I just posted the suggestion because the OP can't seem to find a Campy 12-25, and they offer a Miche one in a box ready to go.
I have a reasonably long 40-45 mph decent on one of my local rides too but I'm perfectly happy to just tuck in and let the bike roll.
If you are commuting, then nobody is chasing you and you aren't trying to reel in a breakaway. Why pedal like mad when you are going that fast anyway and are better off to just lower wind resistance?
If you are commuting, then nobody is chasing you and you aren't trying to reel in a breakaway. Why pedal like mad when you are going that fast anyway and are better off to just lower wind resistance?
I just posted the suggestion because the OP can't seem to find a Campy 12-25, and they offer a Miche one in a box ready to go.
__________________
It's like riding a bicycle
It's like riding a bicycle