Centaur vs Potenza 32-11 Cassette

[UKBROOKLYN]

Thanks for that Old P..

Just as an aside I read all your notes and Zinn on using the 32 tooth cluster earlier this year before trying it out and you were very helpful so thanks for that. I am currently running pre 2015 SR Compact 50-34 with a Record RD (The carbon SR just aint strong enough)

The only thing I needed to do was adjust the distance between largest cog and top roller. I think Campy call it the H screw.. about a 3 quarter turn. Chain length stayed the same.

Result: No degradation in shifting whatsoever. I now have that 34-32 combo for the hardest climbs and 50-11 for pacelining back with the club.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by UKBROOKLYN

Thanks for that Old P..

Just as an aside I read all your notes and Zinn on using the 32 tooth cluster earlier this year before trying it out and you were very helpful so thanks for that. I am currently running pre 2015 SR Compact 50-34 with a Record RD (The carbon SR just aint strong enough)

The only thing I needed to do was adjust the distance between largest cog and top roller. I think Campy call it the H screw.. about a 3 quarter turn. Chain length stayed the same.

Result: No degradation in shifting whatsoever. I now have that 34-32 combo for the hardest climbs and 50-11 for pacelining back with the club.

Huzzah!! Yup, compact, short cage and proper chain length does wonders for all sorts of CR/cogset combos..Just gotta have just enough chain for big-big combo..no more, certainly no less...

[RoosterCogset]

Originally Posted by R3awak3n

ah, so campy just pulling a fast one on you? Pretty sure the centaur is $20 cheaper.

Originally Posted by zmudshark

Checking at the UK sites, it seems that the Centaur is loose cogs, and the Potenza has the largest three pinned. Potenza is a bit lighter.

The cost difference has grown to about $50 today. Realize this is a slightly old thread, but considering an 11-32 cassette and putting on the newer Chorus HO RD that can accommodate. Aside from a tiny weight difference, any thoughts on different materials or coatings being used?

[bfd]

Originally Posted by dddd

I couldn't find the ratios of the new 12-32t 11s Centaur cassette online, only this 11-32t cassette.
Does anyone know where the 12-32t cassette's ratios might be listed?
I'm guessing that they simply added a 16t cog in the middle of this cassette's spread and removed the 11t, but would like to be sure about this.

Centaur seems like a good and affordable 11s grouppo option, and is even offered in silver or black, with just one cage size now handling every cassette!

This is correct, this site list the individual cogs and the 12-32 removes the 11t cog for a way more useful 16t:

Link: https://www.rosebikes.ie/campagnolo-...ssette-2668756

Ratio:
· 11-29 (11 – 12 – 13 – 14 – 15 – 17 – 19 – 21 – 23 – 26 – 29)
· 11-32 (11 – 12 – 13 – 14 – 15 – 17 – 19 – 22 – 25 – 28 – 32)
· 12-32 (12 – 13 – 14 – 15 – 16 – 17 – 19 – 22 – 25 – 28 – 32)

Good Luck!

[robertbb]

The coating on the Potenza cassette is identical to the Chorus cassette. The major difference between them being that Potenza only has the largest 3 cogs grouped/riveted and remaining 8 cogs are loose, whereas Chorus has the largest 3 grouped/riveted, the next 3 also grouped/riveted, and the bottom 5 cogs loose.

The coating on the Potenza/Chorus cogs is far superior to that on the Centaur cassette. Night and day difference.

Interestingly, I've hacked a few cassettes and came up with the following.

You start with these two cassettes:

Chorus 12-29: 12-13-14-15-16-(17-19-21)-(23-26-29)
Potenza 11-32: 11-12-13-14-15-17-19-22-(25-28-32)

You flip the smallest 5 sprockets, giving you:

12-13-14-15-16/17-19-22-(25-28-32)
11-12-13-14-15/(17-19-21)-(23-26-29)

I've compared the resulting 12-32 cassette literally cog-by-cog with the standard 12-32 Centaur cassette and they are absolutely identical. All the minor cog numbers/designations match up and I can confirm shifting with my Chorus 11 HO is crisp and smooth.

Be aware that the resulting 11-29 doesn't match up perfectly with the stock 11-29 (the 15t cog is different, so it may not shift to the 17 as well as expected). I've used this cassette on my indoor trainer/commuter bike and it does work but isn't up to the usual Campy shift quality.

Hope this helps!

[RoosterCogset]

Originally Posted by robertbb

The coating on the Potenza cassette is identical to the Chorus cassette. The major difference between them being that Potenza only has the largest 3 cogs grouped/riveted and remaining 8 cogs are loose, whereas Chorus has the largest 3 grouped/riveted, the next 3 also grouped/riveted, and the bottom 5 cogs loose.

The coating on the Potenza/Chorus cogs is far superior to that on the Centaur cassette. Night and day difference.

Interestingly, I've hacked a few cassettes and came up with the following.

You start with these two cassettes:

Chorus 12-29: 12-13-14-15-16-(17-19-21)-(23-26-29)
Potenza 11-32: 11-12-13-14-15-17-19-22-(25-28-32)

You flip the smallest 5 sprockets, giving you:

12-13-14-15-16/17-19-22-(25-28-32)
11-12-13-14-15/(17-19-21)-(23-26-29)

I've compared the resulting 12-32 cassette literally cog-by-cog with the standard 12-32 Centaur cassette and they are absolutely identical. All the minor cog numbers/designations match up and I can confirm shifting with my Chorus 11 HO is crisp and smooth.

Be aware that the resulting 11-29 doesn't match up perfectly with the stock 11-29 (the 15t cog is different, so it may not shift to the 17 as well as expected). I've used this cassette on my indoor trainer/commuter bike and it does work but isn't up to the usual Campy shift quality.

Hope this helps!

Thanks for the response. Do you have any reference for the mention of Centaur vs Potenza coating difference? From a Campy parts list, the 11, 12, and 25-28-32 parts numbers are the same, but the middle 6 gears, which are 13-22 cogs are different part numbers.

Also, what you're showing for your hacked combo, I considered, but I want an 11-32, and I wouldn't have much use for a 2nd cassette, though I suppose could be a replacement for the trainer.

The 11-tooth ring doesn't just get me an absolute higher high gear, but also makes the 12-tooth ring usable when I'm in my small chainring up front (so extending my range up by another 1.5-2 mph before needing to switch to the large ring).

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by RoosterCogset

The cost difference has grown to about $50 today. Realize this is a slightly old thread, but considering an 11-32 cassette and putting on the newer Chorus HO RD that can accommodate. Aside from a tiny weight difference, any thoughts on different materials or coatings being used?

'Least expensive compatible cogset and chain'..they ARE consumables, after-all.
BOTh will be the same in terms of longevity and function..one 'might' look prettier in the box. 'Potenza', according to the spare parts catalog, 'Potenza' is really called 'Campagnolo 11s', Centaur is labeled 'Centaur' but the differences are minor and certainly not worth $50..

[Cristo]

The same ??
https://www.probikeshop.fr/route/tra...=1088&145=2082

[RoosterCogset]

Originally Posted by Cristo

The same ??
https://www.probikeshop.fr/route/tra...=1088&145=2082

They aren't supposedly identical, but per the parts list anyway, 5 out of the 11 cogs are the same, but you wouldn't know it by the photo.

[robertbb]

The reference I have is having Centaur, Potenza and Chorus cassettes in front of me.

The Chorus/Potenza are coated... a matte silver colour. Feels very slick to touch.
The Centaur isn't coated, it's a glossy gold colour. Feels like uncoated metal, no slickness or smoothness to it.

[bfd]

Originally Posted by robertbb

The reference I have is having Centaur, Potenza and Chorus cassettes in front of me.

The Chorus/Potenza are coated... a matte silver colour. Feels very slick to touch.
The Centaur isn't coated, it's a glossy gold colour. Feels like uncoated metal, no slickness or smoothness to it.

I guess the question then is do you notice a difference in shifting when you’re out on the road? In other words, does this “coating” make a noticeable difference? If not, get the cheaper one.

Good Luck!

[RoosterCogset]

Originally Posted by bfd

I guess the question then is do you notice a difference in shifting when you’re out on the road? In other words, does this “coating” make a noticeable difference? If not, get the cheaper one.

Good Luck!

That's pretty much the question, though thinking it's not just function, but also durability/wear. For example, will the centaur cassette be expected to rust a lot more easily? $50 is (and isn't) a lot of money for apparently the 6 different middle sprockets. It is a lot of money if it's just an appearance issue with a tiny bit more weight. It isn't a lot of money if there's an expected decrease in lifespan (softer metal?), looks crappy due to constant rust, or it causes faster chain wear or who knows what.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by bfd

I guess the question then is do you notice a difference in shifting when you’re out on the road? In other words, does this “coating” make a noticeable difference? If not, get the cheaper one.

Good Luck!

No..wee weight differences and even if it DOES have some surface rust, it isn't going to make a difference where the steel chain 'rubs'. Keep your chain, drivetrain clean, lubed, and the 'least expensive compatible cogset and chain' will function perfectly and last a long time. Also invest in a decent chain checker to check roller wear..I use Rohloff...Chains are MUCH cheaper than cogsets.

[Dave]

I had the cheap centaur 12-32 cassettes on two chorus 11 bikes and never did think that the shifting was up to normal campy standards. I noticed a big improvement when both bikes were changed to chorus 12 with the 11-34.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by Dave

I had the cheap centaur 12-32 cassettes on two bikes and never did think that the shifting was up to normal campy standards. I noticed a big improvement when both bikes were changed to chorus 12 with the 11-34.

That might have something to do with it..