[Closed] Chains, et al. (Roadies’ opinions wanted)

I find the Campag chains to be quieter than the KMC chains but the KMC chains are easier to join/use quick links.

As for gear ratios I have a 12-32 on one of my bikes but it’s for super steep hills / big alpine climbs as a nail out. If you don’t need it move to 11speed and add a closer range of sprockets that you will use.

I think unless you're using Potenza then all other Campag mechs aren't rated above 29.
For years and years I've used either KMC or SRAM chains with my Campag bikes.
[edit] forgot about Connex Wipperman chains, used them too.

Sorry, I should have said I am indeed using Potenza, with a medium cage rear mech.

I have Potenza on my bike - it’s not quite as slick as Record but has worn very well. Going 12speed now!

I've just put a Potenza 32 block on my Shamals, but taken the Chorus groupset off and replaced with eTap. Will be giving it a first proper ride on Sunday. If I don't like it then the 29 or 27 block can go back on.

My chainset is a standard 53/39

Masochist!

Yes, I think the standard nowadays is 50/34.

KMC, Shimano, whatever, it's the price and hence the quality that matters.

53/39, man size! Not Used a campy chain but I've always had good success with KMC, the gold ones seem to last for ages for me and are very corrosion resistant. They look pimp as a bonus.

John

That chainset with that cassette must be hard going on steep / sustained climbs!

I’m into mtb but have a road bike for commuting - gradually extending he commute mileage for fitness purposes.

I have got one steep climb of a couple of mins on my way home and sometimes it feels like a battle. Had an 11-28 cassette and 36/52 semi compact chainrings.

I’ve just changed the rear mech and cassette to an 11-32 and up the steep hill I’ve ended up being quicker as I burn out less quickly as I’m not having to push such a big gear all the way.

So I’d say go for it - especially as you have taller gears on the front than I do.

I’ve no experience of Campag and what works well with it. On my MTBs I prefer sram chains to anything else (running X1 chains on both at present, with steel cassettes and chainrings which last forever) - on the road bike I have Shimano as that’s what the best deal was on at the time.

Latest Campagnolo 11-speed will work with a 32 sprocket. I've used KMC chains on Campagnolo for 20+ years - IMO the gold ti-N chains are noticeably smooth and corrosion resistant. No reason you couldn't use a KMC link on a Campagnolo chain either.

As for 52/39 chainrings, no problem - whilst I run 50/34 or 50/36 these days, for my first trip to the Alps, my lowest gear was 39/23 as was the times I've ridden up Hardnott, Wrynose and the like. When I started riding 52/42 was the norm with a 6-speed 13-21 on the back - 'tourists' rode with a 14-28

I've got an 11-32 11 speed cassette and wouldn't want the same range in 10 speed. The jumps for me are about at the limit of what I like for road riding. 12-32 in 10 speed might be very similar.

My ideal would be a 30/46 chainset with 11-28 at the back. I never get close to spinning out 50-11

Personally I always buy KMC chains just because I tried one initially to run with my Rohloff and it ran with barely any maintenance for 3 years without any problems.

Thanks for all the thoughts so far, everyone.

That chainset with that cassette must be hard going on steep / sustained climbs!

I'm starting to think that something is wrong with me, but I don't find that at all. I still have the compact chainset that came on the bike, but deliberatly chose to replace it with the standard because I felt like I was always spinning out on the run-outs after descents. And climbing is just something I've always been fairly good at, so haven't really noticed being held back by harder ratios.

I’m just useless at climbing and ride mtb a lot where I’ve got a 30f / 42r lowest gear and like to stay seated and spin more than stand up and crank a bigger gear.

The 36f / 28r I had was ok - but sometimes I’d just like to stay seated and spin something a bit easier. Often I’ll be catching someone on the approach to the hill in the way home, then when we start to go uphill I’m out of the saddle having to crank a bit and they’re still seated just happily spinning away for basically the same speed.

Now I’ve changed it’s giving me that bail out option too - although ironically I’ve built my fitness up the last 2-3 weeks and possibly don’t need it as much now!

Very much a personal choice what gear you use, based on your own strength and weight, and the terrain you ride. You probably know better than anyone.

Given that you're happy with the big gears, I'm going to assume you don't have a lot of climbing around you, or at least nothing significantly steep? And if you don't feel any disadvantage there's no real reason to change and lose the closer gear ratios.

Unless you're just one of these masochists who just likes churning out big gears at 40rpm. In which case you might find some advantage in pedalling a higher cadence. A power meter can give you some interesting insights here.

lots of options for semi-compact which is 52-36 if you are debating a change of crankset (you are at the limit of your bolt size with the one you have at the moment but I'm guessing you already know that)

my bottom gear is 39-28 and I can get up the rake in rammy but that's the limit of it, if I lived somewhere with non-stop horrid climbs then I'd have sacked it off by now.
my top gear is 53-12 and I very rarely use it in anger cos I'm not a racer and most UK descents aren't that straight or well maintained

KMC chains all the way