Basic drivetrain queries for the roadies...

Not really sure, I'd have to check out the price of Sram.

To Parkers!

i've written off sram as i'm certain a bob jackson frame would just shed it in anger.

http://www.parker-international.co.uk/11411/Sram-Red-Groupset.html

Hmm, £1,700 might be a little too strong for me, although I'd have to flog the cranks.

Not really sure, I'd have to check out the price of Sram.

To Parker's!

I wonder what the cheapest bike with SRAM red is that one could buy?

you really have to go and fondle the levers. i couldn't get on with the thumb lever on campag so they were not for me.

you really have to go and fondle the levers. i couldn't get on with the thumb lever on campag so they were not for me.

Snap. Cannot get on with them at all.

Mr. Smith, would i be able to have a fondle of yours as and when you have it up and running?

;)

I see, Ultegra not good enough for you, fine.

sulks

I'd like to own SRAM, but can't justify the expense.

What, the whole company?

yup.
fucking overpriced stocks, I tried a hostile takeover, sadly I left the chopsticks at home

What, the whole company?

you do realise that includes avid truvative and rockshox?

Mr. Smith, would i be able to have a fondle of yours as and when you have it up and running?

;)

you will have to catch me first.

Doh, not in stock:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Lightweight_RD_-_Rear_Derailleur/5360040339/

Golly.

it's funny because, as ludicrously expensive as that derailleur is, its totally worth it for the right context. if you're a top racer and cost is of no consequence, then it's quite a big weight saving. However, for grunts like us, 30% lighter for many times the cost is ridiculous. just an observation but fascinating i think. technology that is.

i can't believe i'm getting excited about derailleurs again :-I

For audaxy riding, I agree with all the compact advocates. I'd also say Dammit's claim of spinning out a 50x11 downhill 'early' is very subjective. That's basically a 120" gear. Spinning out in my mind means around the 180rpm mark (I can go faster, but it's a bit nervy) which is 64mph. Even 140rpm is 50mph.

Campag don't do 11t'd cassettes (but you can get BBB aftermarket versions). But a pretty bog standard 50/34 with 12-25 would probably get you up anything, loaded or not.

I'm a bit fussy about close ratios - I often find the jump from 17t to 19t a PITA, so I ride 53/39 with 12-23 (10spd) or 13-23 (9spd).

12-25 would be 12,13,14,15,16,17,19,21,23,25.

Worth keeping an eye on Ribble/Parker/Probikekit/Merlin for deals on 10spd alloy Centaur*...

it's funny because, as ludicrously expensive as that derailleur is, its totally worth it for the right context. if you're a top racer and cost is of no consequence, then it's quite a big weight saving. However, for grunts like us, 30% lighter for many times the cost is ridiculous. just an observation but fascinating i think. technology that is.

i can't believe i'm getting excited about derailleurs again :-I

how much? you could buy a bike for that!

but most racers will not be using them. why? because weight isn't everything especially not somewhere like the derailleur. pro-tour bikes have a 6.8kilo/15lb weight limit which is quite easy to achieve, bikes for the spring classics often weigh more than that. rotating weight is where the weight saving is and where the money is spent.
and ultimately reliability and precise shifting is more important.

Speaking from personal experience, I had a triple on my Tricross and never used the small front ring on the road, now have a compact 50/34 with a 12-25 rear and find very little use for the lower gears. As you are coming from a fixed/ single gear background you should be used to standing up and hefting up any hills so I reckon a standard double on the front and if you are worried maybe a wide spread on the rear- 12-35 or something?

also my mate has campag levers but shimano group set and seems to have no probs.

I think the difference in spaces between splines on Shimano and Campag cassettes are only 0.2mm, but when you look at the whole cassette it's adds up to a bit of a difference on the extremes of the cassette. Dunno about you but I wouldn't want to be skipping and bashing my plums on my TT while climbing.

You can get some sort of thing you put inline on your gear cable so you can mix and match shimano and campag. Don't know why you would want to though unless your using left over parts.

Found it shiftmate

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/article-Shiftmate-Guide-bg_shiftmate.htm

For audaxy riding, I agree with all the compact advocates. I'd also say Dammit's claim of spinning out a 50x11 downhill 'early' is very subjective. That's basically a 120" gear. Spinning out in my mind means around the 180rpm mark (I can go faster, but it's a bit nervy) which is 64mph. Even 140rpm is 50mph.

Yup, subjective it is. This was going down Ditchling beacon at an indicated 57 mph, and I cannot spin for toffee. Please see stupid gear on commuting fixed for proof.

...a pretty bog standard 50/34 with 12-25 would probably get you up anything, loaded or not...

is yorks hill "anything"? that setup failed to get me up that

See this article for mixing and matching Campy and Shimano.

is yorks hill "anything"? that setup failed to get me up that

I personally would advocate a 27 top end to cover all eventualities. Of course, one still needs to be able to pedal hard enough, quick enough for long enough though. I suspect the latter is more a reason for hill climb failure than the lack of 27t sprocket on the back in many cases.

thanks. i'd be doing long rides and tours, not racing; sunny weekends, civilised rather than competitive. what is the advantage of compact? more acceleration? lighter?

to me it seems pointless to mix campag and shimano...? although campagnolo seems most expensive (i know this is a massive can of worms btw).

i was looking at a preview article in a magazine today regarding athena... i gather that'll be quite pricey no? also 11 speeds seems a lot and not something i'm particularly drawn to at this stage. plus i really don't want any carbon going on this particular bike.

i want the bike to be fairly classic but built with all new parts. reliable but also high-performance. the frame will be in lugged steel. is it worth looking at older campag kit (say, 2003-05) and saving money or is the newer stuff miles ahead? should i rule out sexy vintage fluted stuff on the grounds of sub-standard (by today's standards ) performance?

honestly, this is so helpful. and very exciting.

hah, I'm building my dad the exact kind of bike, Bob Jackson Audax to be super precise.