The "I need to do something to my bike, but not sure what" Thread

Paddigol

So...

I'm not quite accomplished to actually do something to my bike without turning it to #%$*... But I am accomplished enough to know that something needs to be done!

If you're like me, and aspire to the greatness of the Today I did something to my bike thread... thread, this could be the place for you!

In my case, I know I have a problem - chain is starting to slip with increasing frequency. Given the fact that it's done about 7,000km in the last 12 months, and has been cleaned, oiled, and maintained regularly and well, AND was only dropped in for a service a couple of weeks ago, it appears that the chain and/ or cassette need replacing.

Which leaves me with a dilemma.

Replace the chain. No problem. The cassette brings up a couple of issues though...

Cassette is currently Veloce 11-28, with a 50-34 up front.

Finding a replacement Campag 11-28 on-line is proving nigh on impossible! I know they're bringing out new Groupsets - but this is hardly the reason why I can't find a current/ old 11-28 is it? I would have thought the opposite if anything - that retailers would be looking to flog the old stuff to make way for the new.

Question 1 then: if I can't find an 11-28, what should I run with a 50-34 chainset?

Question 2: if I can't find an 11-28, what is the best combination of cassette and chainset - ie with the current 50-34 or if I was to replace both (had been thinking of upgrading chainset to veloce anyway - currently have a xenon).

Question 3: as I mentioned, I had been thinking of upgrading my chainset to veloce, and in the process I was going to change to 53-39. What are people's thoughts and experiences? I've looked at previous threads on the topic, and various other articles etc, and I get the whole mathematical calculation/ ratios etc. Or rather, I don't and I'm more interested in practicality than theory. And answers tend to be a bit cryptic, as in "if you need a 53-39 you'll already know".

What I'm really looking for are people's experiences, having made a similar change, and recommendations. I won't be holding anyone liable for bad decisions or an inability to spin up Red Lane!!

I'm light, fit, enjoy climbing hills, only very rarely use 34-28, but find the changes between gears when in the big ring a bit subtle. Looking for a little bit more bite.

Advice on a postcard would be appreciated! Or event just your thoughts in this thread...

smacl

I'm also running Veloce, albeit with an FSA triple crankset and 13/28 cassette. AFAIK any campag 10 speed will meet your needs, such as these cheaper BBB ones. It comes down to what you want to spend, but if you're fit and light, something like a Veloce 11/25 might be a good fit.

Me, I'm neither light, fit nor young, so like all the low gears I can lay my hands on.

rollingscone

The answer to every question in this thread:

New bike.

G1032

I'm not that experienced a cyclist so don't give too much weight to what I have to say!

I have a 52/39 and a 12/25. Haven't found a climb yet that caused too much difficulty. But there are a couple I want to do that I think will be too hard for me with the 25 (Minaun in Achill for example)

I did all the gear ratio number crunching and spoke to guys in LBS and I'm going to stick with the 52/39 and change the cassette to probably a 12/30. I'd never really get any use out of the 34 on a compact and off the top of my head I think the 39/30 will be just about 4.5% harder than a 34/28 (open to correction on that but I don't have the calculations to hand)

bambergbike

I'm thinking about what somebody else needs to do to their bike - hardly seemed worth it's own thread...

It was a very randomly chosen bike (it chose her, not she it) and the fit doesn't seem right. But I can't figure what would help, or whether it's a lost cause. Any ideas?



The back story (not that it helps, really, or matters)

1. I went for a cycle with a friend, her mountain bike and my tank. She said "You're a good descender, you should get a road bike and we could go out together and I could wait for you at the top of every hill and you could wait for me at the bottom."
2. Bought purple road bike at abandoned bikes auction for 8€. LBS added wheels and new drivetrain.
3. Cycled road bike over Alps, had a few mechanicals but made it OK. Discovered I am actually a rubbish descender.
4. Left road bike in Ireland after cycling from Dublin airport to Sligo so I wouldn't be tempted into spending money keeping it on the road
5. It was adopted by a kind soul who has been tempted into spending money on keeping it on the road, and it has in turn been keeping her on the road (but alternately making her shoulders and her feet hurt), and intermittently leaving her with no working front brake half-way down a mountain

Wishbone Ash

bambergbike wrote: »

... But I can't figure what would help, or whether it's a lost cause. Any ideas?....

Apologies for being fussy and unhelpful but I'd start with matching bidons. Just a pet hate of mine!