Cassettes: switching from 13-26 to 12-25?

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rudycyclist

I'm getting a new set of race wheels and want to put a record cassette on it. Ebay is the option I want to take to buy a cassette because of cost obviously. Currently I have a 13-26 on my bike, but ebay has very few 13-26 record cassettes there (note that I want a full Ti cassette, making it more difficult to find one). How much of a difference would it be to switch to a 12-25 cassette? Is it something I should shy away from because I've never had one, or should I try it out? Campy does sell a 13-26 record Ti cassette, but in my LBS it would probably be around $350-$400, hence I shy away from that option. What should I do?

tcklyde

I assume you understand that if you don't have extra money to throw around, buying an all Ti cassette is not a good idea? The benefits of getting an all Ti cassette are basically nonexistent at any price. But whatever, your choice. You should get what makes you happy.

You should probably think about what kind of riding you do. If you often find yourself wishing you had another cog after the 26, you probably don't want to go down to a 25. If most of the time you ride flat or gentle hills, you may not miss the 26. Only you can tell yourself what you need.

mikesbytes

It does depend on what kind of riding you do. Do you use the 26 a lot?

Another consideration, is what the ratios between are? Are the gaps between the cogs the same on the 13-26 and the 12-25? Will the changes in the gaps remove or add between gear annoyances?

$350 is a lot of money to save and the difference between 25 and 26 is a lot less than the difference between 12 and 13. You could take the risk of dropping to 25 and if it doesn't work out then put some of the $350 saved to a slightly smaller front chain ring.

rudycyclist

Yeah I think the all Ti cassette is too expensive for about 15 grams of weight savings. I think going to a 25 wouldn't be terrible. I'm not usually in my 26, except on some of the steeper hills in town. Would my gearing be messed up if I was using my 13-26 for training and my 12-25 for racing? I wouldn't think it would be, but I figure I'd ask before I buy. Thanks for snapping me out of my expensive, un-needed buying habits. I was just getting carried away:).

hd reynolds

A campy 12-25 scandium cassette in ebay cost about $185, weighs 113gms.
I too have campy drivetrain but a couple of months back I bought a set of new wheelsets with shimano spline but installed an American Classic aluminum shimano-to-campy conversion cassette (12-25; 147gms). Cost of the cassette was $120 brand new and in my 600kms experience with it shifts better than an orig. record cassette installed in another wheelset.

Just a note: I'm a bit surprised about the AC cassette coz it does not seem to get dirty. From the time I first used the wheelsets the cassette still looks like it just came out of the box and never, never seem to get dirty. I have always paraffined my chain and spray silicone weekly but my record cassette seems to get messy after a couple of weeks.

rudycyclist

lks

The cadence difference between the 25 and 26, at the MPH speed you use it, is too small to worry about. But the 13 makes you spin a lot faster, at the MPH you use it, than the 12. Record costs about $80 more than Chorus. For that, you save a little over an ounce and your Record Ti 19-21 will wear out before the rest of the cogs, so the Record cost a lot more, per mile, than the $80.

Bro Deal

Does anyone think I could get a cheap '06 record cassette because the '07 line just came out? I will have to wait a little while yet because the '07 line isn't available yet, but I was just thinking this could save a couple bucks. Any thoughts where I can get a discounted one?
I hate using eBay, so I usually buy my Campy stuff from 11speed.com.

Record-Ti 12-25 $277
2005 Record $152
Chorus $95

I generally use Chorus for training because there is no valid reason not to.

lks

I hate using eBay, so I usually buy my Campy stuff from 11speed.com.

Record-Ti 12-25 $277
2005 Record $152
Chorus $95

I generally use Chorus for training because there is no valid reason not to.
I have not read where there is any change in the Record/Chorus 2007 cassettes, except they may offer a 12-26.