9 speed c record hubs to 11 speed

[dtown3]

Hi all

So i just picked up a vintage colnago technos with the following setup:

Crankset Campagnolo C - Record

170 mm, 53/39 teeth)

Cassette Campagnolo 9 gear 13-14-15-16-17-18-19-20-21

Wheelset Ambrosio Durex clincher 36 Hole with DT Swiss Spokes
Hubs (36 Holes) Campagnolo C- Record
Rear & front Campagnolo Chorus
derailleur

Shifters Campagnolo Chorus Ergo-Power

So after riding it, my initial thought was i need more gears. Hills with a very steep grade can really only be cleaned with a stand and mash technique which is fine but iam trying to maintain a hr zone and this completely blows it up. I am coming from a mountain race bike with 3 rings in front and xtr 9 speed 11/34 in the back. This offered a nice range and allowed me to maintain cadence on steep inclines. What are my options here? Would a change of cassette be possible with the hub der. setup etc. thanks

best
matt

[bikerjulio]

You have the closest ratio cassette possible - a "straight block" more appropriate for TT's over flat/rolling terrain.

you need a wider ratio - look here for instance - like 13-26 or 13-28. It depends on the steepness of your hills.

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/Cassettes-Road-Campagnolo-9-Spd-Veloce-Centaur-Cassette/CAMPCASS300

With the current chain was you'd need to check that things with the RD are OK in the Big-Big combo. Or better still get a new chain to go with the new cassette.

[dtown3]

Thank you for your reply, that looks like the best solution at a great price.

[Drew Eckhardt]

Cassette Campagnolo 9 gear 13-14-15-16-17-18-19-20-21

Hubs (36 Holes) Campagnolo C- Record

Note that if it's C-record it's 8 speed and you have a 13-14-15-16-170-18-19-21 cassette (my favorite). 9 speed cassettes will NOT fit (they share the 8 speed outer diameter, but have a smaller inner diameter so Campagnolo could switch to lighter alloy freehubs without deformation and stuck cogs). It's possible to swap a 9 speed freehub on and 9 speed index ring into the 8 speed shifters; although then the nearest Campagnolo choices would be 12-21 or 13-23. You might count again.

You could get a 13-26 8 speed cassette if that's the case.

Or you could install a triple front crank, front derailleur, and rear derailleur (your Chorus brifter will work great).

A road triple with a 30 tooth inner ring will pair with a 21 cog to create a gear as low as 39x27 without compromising the tight spacing in back.

50-40-30 x 13-14-15-16-17-18-19-21 was my favorite gear combination in the 8 speed era. Great for the both the Colorado plains and Rockies.

[bikerjulio]

the term "C Record" gets applied to a lot of stuff. Informally, the last year was 1994 when it was still 8-spd.

9-spd arrived in 1997.

So, as Drew points out, if you have 9 speeds now, it's not C Record.

If it's C Record, it's 8 speed, and you need a cassette with exa-drive splining.

[dtown3]

Thank you all for your posts. Yes it is an 8 speed 13-14-15-16-17-18-19-21, with a c-record hub. I shouldnt have gone by the auction info that was given to me stating a 9 speed 13-21 straight block set up. Just returned a 9 speed 13-26 veloce cassette because of what some have already stated, it obviously didnt fit. So now not wanting to change the crank simply because of expense but hoping as above post state that the 8 speed 13-26 will fit. Does this look to be the correct cassette....http://www.bikeman.com/FW9309.html?utm_ ... GoogleBase thanks

dt3

[bikerjulio]

Yes, that looks good. I guess you hadn't the bike in your possession when you said it was a 9-speed

[dtown3]

Haha yes exactly, lessoned learned thanks for your help!

[Drew Eckhardt]

Thank you all for your posts. Yes it is an 8 speed 13-14-15-16-17-18-19-21, with a c-record hub. I shouldnt have gone by the auction info that was given to me stating a 9 speed 13-21 straight block set up. Just returned a 9 speed 13-26 veloce cassette because of what some have already stated, it obviously didnt fit. So now not wanting to change the crank simply because of expense but hoping as above post state that the 8 speed 13-26 will fit. Does this look to be the correct cassette....http://www.bikeman.com/FW9309.html?utm_ ... GoogleBase thanks

dt3

Sure, but if you're willing to wait a few days you can do a lot better on price ordering from the UK.