On Fri, 31 Dec 2004 03:35:28 -0800, "Dale Benjamin"
<
[email protected]> wrote:
>Ever try shifting the chain to the 20 tooth gear on a 13/28 rear cluster
>when approaching a stop? Kind of chancy. But few people really need a
>34 - 28 combo to start out on a level.
What do you mean by the above statement? It really doesn't make sense.
With properly adjusted derailleurs, it is no problem to shift into
any gears. If it is chancy, it is then rider inexperience or
ineptness.
>Anything Shimano is decent enough if you can set it up right for the
>derailleurs.
Or anything Campagnolo.
For the OP - Even though you can mix and match different groups,
within a manufacturers line, it might be simplest for use to choose a
group and use most of the various components within. Your budget will
be a determining factor in a lot of your choices.
>
>More headaches is what you get with a 9 speed rear cluster. You need
>the range, for a healthy and ambitious young cyclist, a 12 - 24 seems
>good. A well designed 6 speed would do the job better than any 8 speeds
>I've seen at nashbar, but progress seems to be in reverse for the past
>decade in the bicycle industry.
What is causing you headaches? A properly setup 9 or 10-speed will be
mostly problem free.
For the OP, go with a minimum of 9-speed and if you go with
Campagnolo, go 10-speed. My reasoning for this, is that there is very
limited choice in new, current 8-speed components, quite a bit of
choice in 9-speed with Shimano,with more choices coming for 10-speed.
Campagnolo offers 10-speed in many of their groups, so the options are
best with the 10-speed.
I would recommend that you do a lot of research and really educate
yourself, before making any decisions. Also, it would help us to make
suggestions, if we knew your budget, type of riding, your abilities,
and even your weight.
>Think about how much time you really spend going up steep hills, and
>compare that with how much time you spend going on near level pavement.
>Young folk can put out power comfortably over a wide range of cadences.
The amount and types of hills should be considered when deciding on a
double, triple, or compact crankset.
>9 speed clusters and wheels dished for them are for real lightweights,
>if that's you, fine. It's not for everybody.
I guess if you consider anybody under about 300lbs a lightweight, then
the above is true. A good wheelbuilder can design and build a 9 or
10-speed wheel that will be just fine with a heavey rider. It will
involve more spokes and a well choosen rim. Any of the pros on this
forum, like Peter, Sheldon, or Andrew Muzi, can build a 9-speed wheel
for a heavy rider.
And once again for the OP, Nashbar is good, also consider Performance
Bike online, if you are going to purchase a lot from them, look into
Team Performance. For $20, you get 10% towards your next purchase,
upgraded shipping, and sometimes special Team Performance pricing. I
know last year They had some really good prices on Dura-Ace triple
components.
Remember the advice given online comes from people with lots of
different ideas and levels of knowledge, so be sure to do the
research. As you can see, I don't agree with Dale's info and others
may not agree with me.
Life is Good!
Jeff