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campag chorus. Is 34-28 the smallest I can go?

by snappyandrew
Thu, Mar 20, 2014 20:49
7

I'm about to buy a new carbon bike and would love to put on Campag Chorus. I've tested it and loved it but there's one problem. I currently am using a triple 105 (yes, triple, so what?) on a steel bike and I do use the 30-28 as a get out of jail card. I just did a week in Tenerife and it came in pretty handy when going up the volcano. A guide there commented that when he guides round Tenerife and the Alps the men always run out of gears and then really struggle whereas someone with my gearing could chug away at 80RPM+ till the cows come home.
I know in the UK I'll be mostly fine with the 34-28 but I was trying to figure out is there anyway round this or am I going to have go with SRAM or Shimano and change the rear cassette to a 12-32 when I go to the mountains?
Any thoughts, you incredibly knowledgeable people? MTFU is not the answer I am seeking

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.

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7 comments

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Nick T | 10 years ago
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http://www.campagnolo.com/jsp/en/newsdetail/newsid_116_newscatid_3.jsp

Quote:

And all this without even having to fit a dedicated derailleur!

The really big news is that Campagnolo has managed to keep a single rear derailleur configuration, thereby avoiding the problem of the double option: derailleur with medium or short arm.
So there is just one rear derailleur and it can work precisely and optimally from sprocket 11 to sprocket 29 with all the combinations of Campagnolo 11-speed cranksets available.

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bikerdavecycling | 10 years ago
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Medium cage needed if 34x29 (can use short cage if not fitting 29). The triple works fine with medium cage unless you fit the 29 again I think it is, then you need the long cage.

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bikerdavecycling | 10 years ago
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Campag do triples now (again) so could always go Athena (don't think Chorus is triple). I'd much prefer Campag over the other brands, from personal experience. Shimano hoods are too narrow, and SRAM double tap... Don't get me started...

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snappyandrew | 10 years ago
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thanks for both of these answers. All v interesting
I'm might test the 12-29 up a hill and see what happens.
Sorry not be clear but I was thinking that I might have to ditch the Campag idea completely and go SRAM or Shimano.

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tomisitt | 10 years ago
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I run Chorus with compact chainset and a 12-29 cassette. That's as low as you can go.

With that set-up your lowest gear (31.7 inches) is just 3 gear inches more than your current triple set up (28.7 inches), so it's a pretty small difference. Go for it...Chorus is lovely!

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aslongasicycle | 10 years ago
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Campag only got to 29 max on the back. You'll need a longer cage mech for that. You can also run a triple with a 30, but it'll be non-Chorus chainset, unless you find an old skool version. For a compact 34 x 29 is the max.

I run a triple and wide a cassette for tough terrain. Nothing MTFU about having the right gearing. We used to race on 42 x 23 as the smallest gear up steep climbs 20+ years ago and it was just stupid. Being able to sit and spin a sensible cadence is good performance. And frankly, who's to judge, sod the gear snobs. Ride your ride.

Not sure if you're implying this, but don't mix Shimano/SRAM with Campag. Won't work!

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Nick T replied to aslongasicycle | 10 years ago
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aslongasicycle wrote:

Campag only got to 29 max on the back. You'll need a longer cage mech for that.

I don't think you do need a long cage mech, as far as I recall.

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