Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

forum
road.cc bike forum

Old bloke, old bike and hills.

by Eebijeebi
Mon, May 26, 2014 12:46
6

Forgive my bike mechanic naivety.

It was the end of the century when I was last riding regularly and even then hills were always the enemy. I'm no whippet at 92k (but not blubber) so I always used to try and power up them then ease up a bit. Well that all worked for a while but as the miles went on it became somewhat harder and eventually something really nasty could have me on my feet.

So, here I am, a month back in and think I need a change of approach. The mechanical world seems to have moved on from my mid 90's Campag 9 speed (Chorus) with 52/42 rings 13-26 cassette.

What I'd like to achieve are some lower gears to avoid the prospect of being a bike pusher and I see that 52/36 and 50/34 are now available but they all seem to be 10/11 speed.

I've done a lot of reading but am still confused. The question is what do I need to change? Will I end up changing everything from b bracket, chainset, chain, cassette, rear mech and shifters or is there a simple route that I can't see for looking.

Whatever I do the cassette has to remain campag as I've just got a Powertap.

I don't have to do it myself as LBS are understanding that they cant compete with internet prices on components and are happy to do the work at suitable remuneration.

Thanks,
E.

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

Add new comment

6 comments

Avatar
Daveyraveygravey | 10 years ago
0 likes

52-36 is a new-ish combo and not that easy to get hold of.

Changing the cassette (and usually the chain) is the cheapest and easiest option; changing the crankset will cost lots and you'll probably have to change lots of other bits too.

I've got a 9 speed Campag set up, and recently went from a 12-25 to a 12-27 and find it helps my climbing a lot. I think there are only 4 options though, not sure how much bigger you can go. There are Campag-compatible parts, mine is a BBS (something like that) but Miche also make them, and it works fine. A proper Campag cassette might run a little smoother I guess.

Avatar
mattsccm | 10 years ago
0 likes

Anything longer than a short mech will do 29 and even then it can be persuaded. I use Comp and Race triple rear mechs with a 30t shimergo set up with no issues. Pretty cheap 2nd hand.
Why not keep your eye open for a used compact chainset. 50/34. Plenty of square taper stuff out there. Even some Campag. One snag is that they will mostly be JIS taper which Campag isn't. Not probs, a cheaper Shimano square taper BB will be well under 2o quid.
Drop the front mech a tad and it will work.
Forget the 10 speed bit with chainsets.
9 speed Campag is very tolerant of mismatches. Its also worth selling and I bet you could shift a complete 9 speed groupset if tidy for nearly enough to by a complete Veloce 10 speed groupset if you wanted to.
Try retrobike.com for more info

Avatar
Eebijeebi | 10 years ago
0 likes

Thanks chaps, you sure got me studying. Cage? JIS? I got there!
In short, swapping to a 39 inner should be ok but going to a 28 cassette may (officially but not definitely) need a change in rear mech?
Getting down to a 39/28 (37.6") should give a lot more leeway than my current lowest 43.6" and can be achieved at moderate cost.

The 50/34s are catching my eye though - can't see me racing or TTing unles there's a supervet category. My target after recovering from illness is to complete a century this summer - and be able to walk afterwards!
I know that would really cost me as it will involve the whole caboodle, £350/450 for 10 speed, £540/£870 for 11 speed. Once at the 11 speed there's a 52/36 option too. All plus fitting of course.
Then there're triples, or are they not for real men 1

I could end up with Trigger's broom but I need to make a change pronto, so will give it much thought and run it by the LBS (lovely people).

Avatar
Flying Scot | 10 years ago
0 likes

I've got a short cage Record 9 speed and although officially it won't do a 28, it actually does, also have a Veloce that copes OK too.

Perhaps it just doesn't make the 52 with the 28 with ease, but I wouldn't do that for very often, if at all.

Avatar
domofarmfrites | 10 years ago
0 likes

The easiest way is a new casette with 28t and 39t chainring but bear in mind the capacity of your rear mechs. I think that for 10sp campag mechs 29t cassettes are ok but i cant find the old 9sp capacity. For the current Xenon 9sp off Ribble's site they say this :

Campagnolo Xenon 9 Speed Rear Derailleur

- Short (254g) for double chainset and sprocket set up to 13-26.

- Medium (258g) for double chainset and sprocket set up to 13-28 or for triple chainset and sprocket set up to 13-26

- Long (263g) for triple chainset and sprocket set up to 13-28

Or a 10sp chainset may work ok in your set up. There are probably some old square taper compact campag chainsets floating about in shops or you could get a new JIS BB and a compact.

You may be ok with something like this 7/8sp chainset:
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/alloy-compact-double-square-taper-chainset-50...

or this 9/10:
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/chainsets-chainsets-roa...

Avatar
Flying Scot | 10 years ago
0 likes

I'm old, fat(ish) , live on the hills and have an older bike than you.

Get a 39 chainring for the front and a 13-28 cassette throw in a new chain, cables and brake blocks with the service.

That gets me up virtually everything, like you, I'm too old for a 42.

Both are readily available, maybe buy some chainring bolts though, as yours might need drilled out after a long period laid up.

Latest Comments