Changing rear cassette

[teigyr]

I have a century coming up that I am less than prepared for. I know I can sit on my bike for 100 miles but I haven't trained hills much at all. I've been going to spinning class and doing weights, however, so I'm not completely lost but still...

I am on an Orbea with Campy Veloce. It's a compact double with 50/34 in the front and 12-25 in the back. Is it possible to change the rear cassette to include a few larger gears? I think the rear would be easier to change than the front but would any of this require major work?

The alternative is to walk when I need to and exercise a lot more. I'm just looking for a quick and easy fix for the next couple of months! I'll ask my LBS but thought I'd throw it out here because there are so many knowledgeable people here.

Thanks! Yes, it's a pathetic stab at salvaging something, I'm not sure what.

[DebW]

Whether you can easily switch to a wider range cassette depends on your rear derailleur. They come in different cage length to accommodate different amounts of chain wrap. Find out your derailleur model, then look up the specs on it. You'll see there is a largest cog it can take and a maximum cog difference. If you can change to a wider range cassette within those specs, then go for it. You made need a few more chain links too, but your LBS can do that easily. If you want to go beyond those specs, then you need a new derailleur as well as cassette (and probably chain).

[Triskeliongirl]

Changing a casette is very easy. All you need is a chain whip, and a special wrench (at least for shimano). If this is a one time thing it may be easier to pay your LBS to do it for you, especially if you purchase the casette from them. I know campy makes a veloce 13-29 cassette : http://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...0196&c=9048331
, but as Deb said you will probably need to add several links to your chain (and if your chain is old it may be better to replace), and you may need a longer cage rear dearailleur. But, once you do that, you can also use the longer cage derailleur with a smaller casette, and if you learn how to do it yourself you can swap casettes to meet the terrain of the ride you are doing easily.

[teigyr]

Thank you. I'm trying to find more info on the rear dearailleur. On my bike, it says simply "Campagnolo Veloce 10 Speed". From Orbea's website, it pretty much says the same thing:

http://www.orbea-usa.com/fly.aspx?mI...duct&taxId=241

I know with compact doubles, I should be able to climb better than what I am. Do you think it'd be worth it to try to change and maybe it's me and not the bike?

I did print out the cassette sizes to take to my LBS. I might go by there today after my ride though I'm thinking they're closed for Easter. Never hurts to check though! My other bike (since a bit parted out and retired) is an old Bianchi Alloro. It's a double but I had an emergency "climbing" gear put in the back. Honestly, I rode that thing everywhere and was ok with it. So maybe I'm wondering if it is me and maybe I'm attempting to modify the bike when I should be trying to modify my workouts

[DebW]

The Veloce 10 spd comes in a short cage or medium cage version. I didn't find specific tooth ranges on the campy web site. But I'd guess you've got the medium cage with a compact double front, in which case you can probably go to a 12-27 cassette without modification (other than chain links). Stop by your LBS and ask them.

[teigyr]

I did talk my LBS and learned my options. I can go 13-26 with no modifications but that really doesn't add all that much. Or does it? I've been caught in my highest gear struggling several times lately and while one more would've been nice, I'm not sure that is the final solution because the hills I've been on haven't been that bad!

If I have the medium cage on my bike, is there a longer one? To get to a 13-29, I'd need the long one but I'm not finding it. Also, if I change this out, will anything be compromised? My bike rides well and shifts well and the last thing I want to do is mess with it and have it do things like lose chains, etc.

Does anyone have experience with this? Would I lose anything by changing this?