Subject: Re: Campagnolo cassette changes Posted by: Al on November 05, 2005 at 09:19:35: In Reply to: Campagnolo cassette changes posted by Steve on November 03, 2005 at 19:21:53:

Message: >I want to put a Campy Record groupset with a 13-29 cassette on my bike. I want to add a 12 cog and remove the 16 cog. Will this work? Why or why not? >Thanks, Steve If you can afford it ... then, why not? The problem is that you will need BOTH a 12 & 13 tooth cog since the current 13t will not slide into the second position unless you modify it. If you don't already have the cassette, then I recommend you start with a 12-25 and then swap the 16t for a Veloce 29t (i.e., single steel cog) OR the 28t 8-speed cog (YES, 8-speed cogs can fit on 9-/10-speed cassettes ... at leaset, the ones I have) that Harris used to sell ... OR, if you have the 13-29, then consider simply swapping the existing 13t with the new 12t cog ... you probably don't need both unless you are racing. BTW. You CAN modify a Shimano cog ... perhaps a bit dodgey, but there IS enough material if you plan the "operation" properly -- I had a 12-23 for which I wanted woosier low gearing ... I "cut" a 26t Shimano cog [AND, eventually a 30t Shimano cog] to fit on my Campagnolo hub. Someone else I know begged me for my extra 34t Shimano cog because he was using a 52/42 NR Strada crank and I think his 8-speed wheel's largest cog was a 26t. We're riding on mountain roads, so that's our excuse. My experience is that an 8t (!?!) jump between cogs shifts fine ... smoothly enough. WHAT, exactly, are you hoping to achieve? FWIW. Need/desire for wide ratios is one reason I've pretty much switched to using wheels which are Shimano compatible.