iflyskyhigh

Decided to upgrade my 2001 Record 10 to the new Chorus 12 speed.

As stated, I'm a big guy. I am fit, but never the less, you can't defy physics. I'm 6-4 high 220's.

I live and ride in the Phoenix, AZ metro area. It's a valley so you are always going uphill at least one way. Once you get out of the valley a little there are some good inclines, but I'm might ride into the mountains once in a blue moon.

I'm pushing a 50/34 now with either a 12/25 or 13/26 and 99.9% of the time have no problem turning the peddles over. There a couple inclines around here where I really have to dig, but they are the exception not the rule.

So with all that being said, before I go and order...Campy is offering a compact 50/34 or a sub compact 48/32. With a cassette option of 11-29, 11-32, 11-34.

I've looked at the gear inches calculator, but I'm having interpreting what it means to be in the real world performance?

I'm leaning towards the 50/34 with an 11-32 cassette. But do I even really need an 11-32 cassette? Do I opt of 11-29 with smaller jumps?

Or do I go 48/32 with the 11/29? Would that give the best of both?

Thoughts?

Is this correct thread for this question?

TrojanHorse

If you don't currently have any hills that require a 34/32 then go for the 50/34 and an 11-29 cassette. I have a 50/34 and 11-32 on one of my bikes and I do need that for a few hills around me (the Mt Baldy ski lifts... that sort of thing) but most of the time I get along great on my other bike which has a 52/36 and 11-28 on the back.

Given that you don't find yourself to be hill limited now, I'd avoid the 48/32, doesn't sound like you need it.

iflyskyhigh

I like it. I think this is what I’ll do.

If if I head towards the high country or Colorado I can always throw an 11-32 on...

TrojanHorse

One thing to be cautions about is the take-up rating of the rear derailleur. Some have a "max tooth" cog they can handle, and then there's also the number of links they can absorb (big+big - small+small) so you may not be able to get an 11-32 on there. I dont' know jack about campy, but in Sram speak, the WiFli RD can handle a 32 tooth cassette and in Shimano land, their medium cage RD can do it. If i were you and had the option, I'd opt for the longer cage RD just in case. And cassettes are cheap, so that's always a good route to go.

TrojanHorse

Actually, it looks like you don't have to worry about that at all - the only RD they offer will accommodate all of their cassettes. https://road.cc/content/buyers-guide...psets#chorus12

The picture looks like a medium cage anyway.