Gearing Choices?

Ted said:

I am building up a new bicycle and I am now trying to decide between the two gearing choices:
Campy triple crank 30x40x50 with a 12-25 cassette or a Campy 30x42x53 with a 13-26 cassette. I
tend to use mid to lower gears most of the time, but I still like having some big gears for down
hill stretches. Does anybody see any advantages of one choice over the other?

Not much difference between the two options, actually. Your middle ring gives a good range with
either, and the lows are plenty low for most folks.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | Do not worry about your difficulties in mathematics, I can _`\(,_ | assure you that mine
are all greater. -- A. Einstein (_)/ (_) |

Ted said:

I am building up a new bicycle and I am now trying to decide between the two gearing choices:
Campy triple crank 30x40x50 with a 12-25 cassette or a Campy 30x42x53 with a 13-26 cassette. I
tend to use mid to lower gears most of the time, but I still like having some big gears for down
hill stretches.

Me too.

Quoted message said:

Does anybody see any advantages of one choice over the other?

One advantage with a smaller big ring is that lower gears are easier to get working better because
front derailleur can be mounted lower and chain can be shorter. As well as existing gears possibly
working better, you might want to use a smaller inside chainring or a larger cassette sprocket in
future. A 28T (or even 26T) granny ring can be more useful.

I think you'd prefer a 40T middle ring. One would mean you'd have to shift down to the granny
ring less often and also use the smaller rear sprockets more often (which have the advantage of
being closer-spaced). I think 42 to 44 middles are better suited to those who cruise as quite a
high speed.

The 16T (or 17T with 10sp) in the 13-26 cassette is too useful to miss, IMO, and the 26 at the end
is a small but welcome advantage over the 25 up the steepest hills.

A top gear of 52x13 is still pretty high. I find it's worth sacrificing a little off the top in
order to optimise the mid and low gears. I suggest a third option: 28/40/52 with 13-26. (Individual
Campagnolo and TA rings can be purchsed separately).

~PB