Lowest possible gear ratio w/ Campy 135 and Record 10spd RD?

[rain dogs]

If one were planning a trip to say... Angliru (just hypothetical of course;)) and currently had a bike with 135UT cranks and a record 10 short cage RD...

what is the lowest possible gear inches I can get by buying new rings/cassette?

39-26? 39.4inches? Can I get to 38-29? 34.4inches? Short cage won't play with 29 right? I thought I saw aftermarket 38T 135? I can't find 38 today.

I'm not particularly interested in buying a new compact crankset.

I did Lagos de Covadonga with 39-25, but Angliru is a different beast. I maybe... maybe (but unlikely) could actually do it with what I have, but I'd like to feel like I'm actually moving with some finesse as opposed to feeling like I'm passing a kidney stone/or having a medical crisis.

Edit: For those unaware of what that climb demands... Cobo did it with a 34-32. Wiggins 38-32. Mollema 36-28.... but I won't be racing, so I can employ other go-slow strategies.

[OtayBW]

Short cage will play with 29. I defer to the experts for other options.

[ergott]

Officially a 39/29, but there are aftermarket cassettes that go to 30,32 or even 34. It would depend on the length of your hanger some and you will need a new chain.

[rain dogs]

Hmm... okay. It's a CAAD8, with the standard hanger I assume.

I did just find this: http://thorneproducts.com/chainrings/

They list a 38T 135. Does anyone know anything about/have tried these chainrings? They actually deal with a shop where I live.

[Ralph]

I've used a Centaur (135 BCD) 39-52 and a Campy 12-30 several times for some steep hills, with a Centaur short cage RD. All combinations work fine.

I might be able to get an IRD 10 speed cassette with a 32 tooth cog to work with a 39(upper pulley might bump slightly.....but for one ride, might be OK), if I left the little to little combo too slack. Or.....adjusted chain length so the big to big wouldn't work, pulling upper pulley back out of way, just make sure you don't accidentally shift there. Or do a 39-50 to free up couple teeth for big to big to use.

If you understand what i'm saying, you can do lots of stuff like this.....for one ride.

[oldpotatoe]

If one were planning a trip to say... Angliru (just hypothetical of course;)) and currently had a bike with 135UT cranks and a record 10 short cage RD...

what is the lowest possible gear inches I can get by buying new rings/cassette?

39-26? 39.4inches? Can I get to 38-29? 34.4inches? Short cage won't play with 29 right? I thought I saw aftermarket 38T 135? I can't find 38 today.

I'm not particularly interested in buying a new compact crankset.

I did Lagos de Covadonga with 39-25, but Angliru is a different beast. I maybe... maybe (but unlikely) could actually do it with what I have, but I'd like to feel like I'm actually moving with some finesse as opposed to feeling like I'm passing a kidney stone/or having a medical crisis.

Edit: For those unaware of what that climb demands... Cobo did it with a 34-32. Wiggins 38-32. Mollema 36-28.... but I won't be racing, so I can employ other go-slow strategies.

12-30 no problem, did it on a demo bike.

[oldpotatoe]

Hmm... okay. It's a CAAD8, with the standard hanger I assume.

I did just find this: http://thorneproducts.com/chainrings/

They list a 38T 135. Does anyone know anything about/have tried these chainrings? They actually deal with a shop where I live.

Even with a 39, the chain will tickle the crank spider ends, 38t is too small.

[ultraman6970]

You cant borrow a 34/50 from somebody?

[rain dogs]

12-30 no problem, did it on a demo bike.

Cool. Thanks all. I need a new cassette and chain soon anyway, so that it'll be. 39-30 (34.2inches) should be good enough.... I hope.:eek:

[jbrainin]

Don't buy a new compact crankset. Find a used square taper compact crankset and you'll be very thankful after your ride is done.

[spartanKid]

Cool. Thanks all. I need a new cassette and chain soon anyway, so that it'll be. 39-30 (34.2inches) should be good enough.... I hope.:eek:

Eeesh, I don't know if that's gonna be low enough to be honest. Froome-dog and Wiggo ran 38-32. Granted they were racing up that climb and not just trying to finish, but the winner ran 34-32.

[thwart]

New chainring and cassette? Move fast, and save yourself some trouble and money:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CAMPAGNOLO-RECORD-CARBON-CT-CRANKSET-ULTRA-TORQUE-175MM/141455911234

Have run a 13-29 with a 50/34 compact on a bike (with 41 cm chainstays), and a short cage Record RD.