Bill G

Our new da Vinci Joint Venture 700 was equipped new with the Campy 10 spd shifters and da vinci front 4 chain ring combination. The Sram modified X9 rear derailuer and the Sram 11-32 9spd rear cassette.

(After trying 3 diffrent rear 9spd cassettes our conclusion is)

We have tried the Sram 11-32 9sp cassette the Scram 11-34 9spd cassette and the 12-34 9spd Shimano XTR rear cassette. I have found the Shimano XTR 12-34 9spd to be the best combination over all for us. It maintains pretty much the same gear ratio as the 11-32 in the mid gearing nice and close spacing but with the advantage of gaining the low 30 & 34 in the rear for super nice lows with good spacing. All this at the exspence of the 11 tooth high which is not really needed do to the front chain ring combination on the da Vinci set up = 24,36,48,60 with the high = 60-12 with the XTR 12-34 combination being way more than enough high gearing.

Sram 11-32 9spd= 11,12,14,16,18,21,24,28,32 =
Shimano XTR 12-34 9spd= 12,14,16,18,20,23,26,30,34 =
Sram 11-34 9spd= 11,13,15,17,20,23,26,30,34 =

Ride Safe All,
Bill G

Pic 12-34 XTR Rear cassette and the da Vinci 4 front chain rings = 24,36,48,60

jerman

Good info... Beautiful bike!

gracehowler

And to add a bit of technical info, we have the same set up, Todd at DaVinci recommended for us to stay with the stock 11-32, but because we have a small frame, we have to run 26" wheels. DV offers a one tooth larger idler as an option which we chose to allow us to gear down a small percentage, so our 32 t granny is equivalent of a 35 t. very low yes and yes we spin out on the top end a bit quick, but that low granny is great for loaded touring in Colorado mountains
R&J

Bill G

Our da Vinci above is also a small frame but with the 700C wheelset instead of the 26"wheelset. Todd does not advertise the 700C wheelset opsion in a small frame on there web page (our frame is the same measurements as the 26" wheelset small frame but sized for the 700C wheelset instead). They only show the 26" wheelset opsion but they do build the size small frame with the 700C wheelset opsion.

Todd also recommended the 11-32 cassette to us. I like the Shimano XTR 12-34 better as stated above truly the best of both worlds great lows, tight spaced mid gears while maintaining a decent high gear. The only problem is the Shimano XTR 12-34 9spd cassette is pretty pricy.

Ride Safe,
Bill G

rdtompki

We're running an 11-32 10 speed and are pretty satisfied, but I'm putting on a 12-30 tomorrow and see how things go. We'll still need our trusty 11-36 if we're doing a lot of climbing, but some of the jumps in this cassette are larger than we care far. I haven't looked recently, but I believe the 11-36 10-speed has the highest 9 ratios identical to the 11-32 9 speed.

gracehowler

[They only show the 26" wheelset opsion but they do build the size small frame with the 700C wheelset opsion.] Interesting change, Todd did not give me an option of 700 3 years ago. Don't mind the 26 but tire options are few. 26" does make the ratio lower
R

Bill G

I thought we were going to have to do the same at first thinking only the 26"wheelset was available in the small only. But while talking to Todd about options during the design and build I said I like 700C wheels and Todd said I can do the small frame with the 700C wheelset if you like.

Then he explained that toe over is more of an issue with a small frame and the 700C wheelset where there is none with the 26" wheelset on the small frame. I confirmed I did not have any toe over issues with my Co Motion and the frame dimensions were very comparable to the da Vinci small frame on paper. After further discution around this issue with Todd and compairing everything again he confirmed toe over would not be an issue for my height and foot size. He was 100% right all is good with our Da Vinci no toe over issues at all and the tandem rides and handles great.

Note
Todd told me he will build the small frame with the 700C wheelset but only after talking in detail about everything with the customer in detail to make sure everything is right around the fit of the tandem.

Ride Safe,
Bill G

kerryjosber

yeah,agree it,Our da Vinci above is also a small frame but with the 700C wheelset instead of the 26"wheelset.

gracehowler

I never thought about toe clearance, good point. I occasionally catch my toe on my single Specialized, have never done that on the DV, maybe the 26" is a better option for us
R&J