Please Help, Best way to get an easier Gear on 11 speed Campy
 

I currently have 11 speed Super/Record last of the 5 arm crankset version.

I am running a 50/34 up front, and an 11/32 in the rear. (I'ts at the limit but works fine.)

I am growing older and alright fatter. But my desire to go up hill remains the same.

I would like to get to a 34 tooth front and rear combo.

My options are. (Since Campy does not have an 11speed 11/34

1. Shimano free hub.. ($100) and Shimano 11/34 ($60) add a wolf tooth ($20)

2. Shimano free hub.. ($100) and Shimano 11/34 ($60) change to 12 speed deraileur ($180- Ebay)

or

3. Switch to a 48/32 Chorus Crankset. ($300)


With the Shimano I maintain my top speed and gain slightly more spacing at the small end of the block. But with the crank swap I maintain respect from Tulio Campagnolo.. Wll I miss the high end ?? I checked the Q factor and in the docs they are both listed at 145.5

Anybody done this ??''' Thanks

Do you have a mid cage RD? No wolf tooth needed if so.

I just moved from your desired set up to somethin bigger so I know the feeling

I'm using the Chorus 48/32 on my gravel/all-road bike with a Chorus 11-32 (11-speed). The 48/32 Chorus crankset lists as a 12-speed design, but it works great. Double-check to see if you would have to change rear derailleurs if you went to a 34t cogset.

Crankset change for me, I never miss the top end but I am not fast. Go on a ride and take a reference of the highest gear you end up using.

You can also swap in a Praxis 48/32 crankset (would need a new BB as well).

I would vote for a new crankset. Another benefit I notice with the smaller chainrings is that I find myself able to stay in the big ring for longer on rollers. 48x11 is plenty tall unless you are racing or descending mountains at warp speeds all day long.

Have that Praxis crank on a bike and on one of my wife's bikes. Great for the mountains. Note that Praxis doesn't offer an Italian threaded BB, in case that's what you need. And you have to use their BB with their cranks.

How often do you use the 50/11?

I use a 11-34 Shimano cassette with my Campagnolo 11 speed (50/34) but would do as suggested here - get the Chorus 48/32 set up.

Thanks to everyone, especially Tommasini53 as you are running the Campy crank I am looking at. The SR and Chorus 11 are essentially the same.. same architecture anyway.. So it is reassuring to know that you are having no problems.. That was my biggest worry..

Seems no point in considering a Praxis.. since I already have a threaded BB and a Campy 12 crank will slip right in... The price would almost be the same to replace it all. Plus Trulio will not be rolling in his grave..

I guess the question is just the top end.. and as all cyclists do we think we are Eddy in our heads but the truth is even he rides slower now..

I guess the easier and most simple is to source the Chorus crank to get a 1:1 ratio and be happy next trip to Catalonia...

Cheers..

What rear Derailleur do you use ??

I will also say this; I didn't notice a big difference in going from a 34/32 to a 32/32 chainring (I did the same thing several years ago, went from 50/34 to 48/32 crankset with a 11/32 in the back). What has made climbing truly more enjoyable for my fat butt is SRAM's 43/30 crankset combined with a 10/36 cassette (SRAM AXS). This allows me to keep a decent cadence when the gradients get steep. Of course, this requires a full groupset swap but just wanted to mention it :)

Same boat here. I'm running a pre 2015 11 speed Chorus, which is the same activation ratio as the ten speeds. Curiously, the Athena group, even tho labelled as 11 speed, has the same ratios/activation as ten speed, regardless of year.

So, thanks to a Paceliner who had an unwanted and unloved Athena triple long cage rear D, I'm now running a Shimano 11 speed 11-36 cassete with the Athena. Works out peachy with respect to the "B" tension screw and clearance.

Don't bother with 34-34, might as well go for the gold, 36t cog. I think I could squeeze my spare 38t loose cog on there with some juggling, but I'm fine now.

If you're running a 2015+ 11 speed.....I don't know post 2015. BUT you might check out Jtek shiftmate wonderjiggers, or medium cage rear D with Wolftooth thingamabob and the Shimano cassette. However, I found that, since Campy has a varied cassette spacing, and Shimano is constant, that there was a teeny bit of noise/boble when shifting, expecially in the middle cogs. I'm babbling now...must go, it's pudding Saturday here at the 'home'.

Yeah, seems like a lot of hassle to make this minimal (6%) of a change to gearing.

Get Campy Crank
 

My Kirk has Chorus 2 x 12. Originally had 50/34 chain rings which gave me 1:1 granny. Changed to 48/32 to get the sub 1:1 granny. A little less top end, barely noticeable, and riding the foothills in my area, the lower granny is better for me. Good luck with your quest!

That 6% can be the difference..