lower gearing options

[ProfTournesol]

I currently ride a custom frame TitanFlex road bike. It has Campagnolo Chorus compact cranks (50-34) and a 29-13 10sp rear cassette. I recently did the Audax Alpine Raid here in Australia and really struggled on the second day on gradients over 9%. I know that I'm not as fit or as strong as I used to be, but as I get older I not only need more time (that I don't have) to train but can't get as strong and lose my fitness faster. That's why I'm also looking at gearing options. I don't want to go to the expense of a triple and all the drive-train changes that would entail and I'm struggling to find a rear cassette with anything larger than a 30t Campag compatible cog. I must admit that I'm also vain enough to want to keep my carbon cranks too if possible

Does anyone know of any options?

 

[analo69]

A 33 tooth chainring is the smallest possible with 110 mm BCD. But there is only slight difference (3%).

Otherwise it should be possible to get a 14-32 casette or even a 14-34 casette, but it requires a long cage derailer and is not genuine Campagnolo.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

I currently ride a custom frame TitanFlex road bike. It has Campagnolo Chorus compact cranks (50-34) and a 29-13 10sp rear cassette. I recently did the Audax Alpine Raid here in Australia and really struggled on the second day on gradients over 9%. I know that I'm not as fit or as strong as I used to be, but as I get older I not only need more time (that I don't have) to train but can't get as strong and lose my fitness faster. That's why I'm also looking at gearing options. I don't want to go to the expense of a triple and all the drive-train changes that would entail and I'm struggling to find a rear cassette with anything larger than a 30t Campag compatible cog. I must admit that I'm also vain enough to want to keep my carbon cranks too if possible

Does anyone know of any options?

AFAIK, the lowest is a 12-30, made by IRD, that is Campagnolo freehub and spacing compatible.

Another option, which may be more $, is get a shimano compatible rear wheel, a long cage Campagnolo rear der(90mm ctr bolt to ctr bolt), a shimano 9s MTB cogset, like a 11-34 and shimano 9s chain. Ctr cog to ctr cog differences between Campag 10s and shimano 9s is really minimal. I've done this on some touring rigs.