What would you all recommend?

[sfscott]

I currently run a triple with a 13-29. I love having the wall climbing gear options for long climbs, particularly at the end of rides, but for most days, I sit in the 53 using sprockets around 23-25. I use the middle ring for rolling terrain or leave it there and use the smaller sprockets.

As I have lost a lot of weight, improved my cadence to around a 95 rpm avg and only seem to be using the small sprockets going downhill or maintaining some speed off a downhill, I have been thinking about the compact option with a 12-25.

One of the guys at the LBS also said to consider switching to a regular double and keeping the 13-29.

Obviously, the answer to pulling the bigger gears is to continue working on the engine and do speed drills and intervals, but I like the idea of a lighter, better shifting set-up from which I'll get more use out of my smaller sprockets. I also do really like the super low gears for those times I need them.

Without poring over a gear-inch chart, what would you all do: nothing, go compact, go double but keep the 13-29 cassette.

If it matters, I'm using campy, and a carbon double alone is about a 200 g savings of rotating weight, which, in addition to the zoot factor is very nice. Would save some on smaller cogs and going to a small or med cage rear der. as well, but that is secondary. And yes, I know the Campy compact isn't available yet. And yes, I know DA is going compact, and many swear by DA. This is not the question.

Hoping also to get better shifting and a less finiky front dr. set-up.

[SteveE]

Why not keep the triple and just replace the cassette with a 11-23. Use the inner chainring more.

[Orin]

He rarely uses the 13 so an 11 would be pointless...

I have 53-39 front, 13-29 rear on one bike and 52-42-30, 13-26 on another. I prefer the 42 to the 39 for most riding - and I very rarely use the 30. Otherwise, it's a toss-up with the double having the weight advantage.

I too am tempted by a compact setup. 48-34 with 12-25 rear would save around 300 gm over the triple setup and have a low gear almost the same as the 39-29 combination... The triple has a significantly lower gear, but I haven't used it all year that I can recall so the 'why' question arises.

As for high gears, I'm not sprinting at 40mph and I haven't been dropped due to needing a higher gear this year, so I don't see a need for anything bigger than 52-13 (or 48-12 on a compact). 50-13 might be marginal though... Guess I'd have to practice my spin on the 42-17 fixed gear bike if I go with that :)

Orin.

[SteveE]

Misread the post.

[kestrel]

I would worry about the shifting with a Campy 53-39 front and a 13-29 cassette. If I get much past a 25 or 26 on my cassette it doesn't shift crisply. In that case I'd go with the triple and keep a closer ratio on the rear.

*disclaimer: I am running 9-speed Campy, maybe the newer 10-speed stuff handles a wider range of gearing and still shifts okay.*

[Andreu]

Campy 53-39 with 13-29 works OK with me. Only issue is that I run out of gears sometimes on the longer descents...but that is not the fault of Campagnolo.
A

[rwl]

Kestrel,

According to Campy, for the 23 tooth front difference with the triple, and a 29 on the rear, you have to use the long cage, and then you've also got a 12 tooth minimum on the rear.

With the medium cage, you can go to a 26, max (but you get to go to 11, min).

With the short cage, you're not (sniffle) even supposed to have the triple.

That said, I use a 12-25, triple, medium cage, and it works fine, even with american classic conversion cassettes. I like having the bail-out gear, for riding with slow friends, of course. :)

Rick

[OldDog]

I run a 53/39 13/29, with the medium cage. All is good. Not as crisp as a short cage set up, but that is expected. I started with the long cage (originally planned for a triple) and it was sloppy, changed out the <cage only> on my Record, much cheaper than a new rear and I have a spare long cage should I ever need it.

To start from scratch I think I'd go compact as my balls to the wall hammering days are over. :crap:

[RichMc]

The Campy compact should be available soon, so hold on! I run a Campy triple 30/42/53 with a 12/25 rear. I like having the low gears for some of the really steep hills here but I know what you mean about the semi-sloppy front derailleur. I do think about that Campy compact too. Time will tell.

[jeffg]

I currently run a 53/39, 13-29 and find it work very well, though I have slightly lower gear on ther bike that has a 48/34, 12-27. Here are the main issues, IMHO.

Low gear: Try out your toughest climbs (that you plan to ride semi-regularly) with the 30X23, 30X26, and 30X29. Where are you most comfortable? That gives you an idea as to whether the 39X29, 34X29, or 30X29 is what you need.

To be honest, if you are going to use a 12-25 with the compact, the 53-39, 13-29 and 48/34, 12-25 are virtually identical. The carbon, however, will be much pricier. I actually wish Campy would (1) offer an alloy compact crank and (2) offer us a 12-29!

[kestrel]

Kestrel,

According to Campy, for the 23 tooth front difference with the triple, and a 29 on the rear, you have to use the long cage, and then you've also got a 12 tooth minimum on the rear.

With the medium cage, you can go to a 26, max (but you get to go to 11, min).

With the short cage, you're not (sniffle) even supposed to have the triple.

That said, I use a 12-25, triple, medium cage, and it works fine, even with american classic conversion cassettes. I like having the bail-out gear, for riding with slow friends, of course. :)

Rick

Thanks Rick, I didn't mean to hijack this thread, but there's some good facts here for everyone. I use short cage exclusively on all my bikes, never needed a wide range of gears here in NC. Even an occasional Mt. trip never gets me in much more than a 39 x 25. (yes, I'm an old, slow, gear masher.)
Never entered my picture to change to a long cage to get the job done, sorry, small mind at work!

John

[Ken Robb]

we have 53/39 with 13-29 chorus 10 spd and it works flawlessly. It sounds to me like you are cross-chaining at 53x24. Why not go to the 42 ring with appropriate middle cogs?