Campagnolo Veloce Gear Ratios

jackmcd
jackmcd Posts: 185
edited July 2011 in Workshop
Hi

I have a 2010 Bianchi via nirone veloce with a 12-25 cassette. Looking into gear ratios to help with a very hilly sportive, while shimano and sram have lots of options stretching to 11-32, with the campag my only real option to improve climbs is going to be 13-29.

An online gear calculator seems to indicate that would lose me more in higher gears than I would gain at the lower end. In my mind this means sacrificing a lot of speed on decent and flat for a little climbing gain. I am already a slow rider.

Is the 13-29 a better option than I think? Are there options I am not aware of?

Appreciate any comments.

PS I think I am 50-34 on the front.

Comments

  • Mystique
    Mystique Posts: 342
    34/29 should be low enough to get you up most climbs, if you go much bigger on the cassette, the jumps between gears can be huge!!
  • gkerr4
    gkerr4 Posts: 3,408
    also bear in mind that the sram 11-32 is not a very evenly spaced out cassette. yes the 13-29 loses a little in top gear (and gains some in the lower gears) but it is also better spaced and therefore more likely to find a gear you like to use when not in an extreme climbing or decending mode - which is probably more of the time, is it not?

    as an aside - if you can, check that your bike will accept a 13-tooth smallest cog by the way - get written confirmation from the importer / manufacturer. I cut a lovely groove into the carbon chainstay of my s-works roubaix using a campag 13-26 cassette while installing and setting it up. Wrote the £1500 frame off before it had even seen a road
  • PostieJohn
    PostieJohn Posts: 1,105
    I've just done this, going from 11-25 to 13-29.

    Personally I didn't go into 11 unless it was a minor decline or wind assisted flat.
    I do notice not having that last 'sprint' gear.

    As for going up hill, I'd be in 25 around 8 - 10%.
    Now I have a couple more gears, I find it really helpful when the going gets over 10%, or the distance gets beyond a mile or so.
    I now 'spin' on my usual climbs between 65-75 rpm, instead of grinding at 45-55 rpm.
    I can also come back down the cassette on the last few hundred metres.

    I could probably make more sense if you have any specific questions!
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    +1 beware getting a cassette with massive jumps from one sprocket to the next, it can make finding a comfortable cadence near impossible.

    If you find you're spinning out in the 50 / 13 combo, just get into an aero tuck and freewheel
  • bigmat
    bigmat Posts: 5,134
    Campag do 11-25 for 10-speed which works for me for most climbs (to be honest an 11-23 works for most climbs). I cobbled together a 12-26 when I was running 9 speed by putting 2 cassettes together. I imagine you could do that with your 12-25 and the 13-29, so that you'd end up with 12-29. Shifting mightnot be perfect, but would do the job if you just need those low gears for a specific event.
  • Berk Bonebonce
    Berk Bonebonce Posts: 1,245
    29t is the largest sprocket available from Campag. And 34t is the smallest chainring you will get on that compact chainset. Using a chainset with smaller chainrings is possible, and switching to a triple is another. But switch to triple and you will need a new front mech and a new rear mech.

    If 34x29 doesn't do it, you need to question whether you should be riding a hilly sportive.
  • jackmcd
    jackmcd Posts: 185
    Cheers for all the helpful responses folks.

    Think your right berk bonce - if I cant do it on a 34x29 should I be doing it... well I'll give it my best shot but have seen better than me pushing up 'the struggle' and the various cumbrian passes so wont feel a complete failure if my feet touch the ground.

    Dont feel skilled enough to make one up like big mat but from what you have all said the change to a 29 will make enough difference to be worthwhile - postie john really useful!

    and thanks gkerr4 - will look into that

    :)
  • ravoire
    ravoire Posts: 18
    When I bought my road bike I opted for Campag Centaur with 34/50 chainrings and 13/29 cassette which is made up of 13-14-15-16-17-19-21-23-26-29. I found I missed the 18 tooth cog so I bought a 13/26 and found it much better.
    The reason I opted for 13/29 was I planned to go to the French Alps and felt 26 may not be comfortable ( low enough) for me. I swapped the cassettes over before I went and am I glad I did, it wasn't easy but I managed ok on the 34/29 and don't think I would have on the 26.
    In this country I mostly ride on the flat and have to look for hills, in the Alps it's the other way around.
  • g00se
    g00se Posts: 2,221
    Hi,

    You can also get 12/13 to 27/28 10-speed Campag compatible cassettes from BBB and Miche