So I need a new campy cassette. For 2007 campy has come out with a 11-25, before it was 12-25. If i go with the 11-25, I lose the 16 (11,12,13,14,15,17). I have another set of wheels with a 12-25 on. How important is that 16?

Thanks

Why would you need an 11 ???
11's are made for 42 mph sprinters, not for going downhill.

All the other cogs are much more important than an 11.

Are you using a compact crank or standard with standard chainrings?

I think the 11-25 was geared (sic) to the compact crowd.

The Campagnolo 2007 website lists a 12-25 10-speed Chorus cassette. I didn't check the other groups but I'd be very surprised if they quit offering the 12-25.
They also offer a 13-26, my favorite.

http://www.campagnolo.com/pdf/en/2007-gruppi-EN.pdf

Al

I have an 11-23 (w/ standard crankset) and I have only used my 11 when in the small ring. I actually found myself in 12 (and big ring) while sprinting this past weekend and I was surprised. I almost shifted to 11 just to see how it felt. If I had hills, I would definately be in 11 while sprinting down them.

It depends on your wattage & where you ride. If you need to sprint down hills in a 11, then go that route, otherwise starting at 12 or 13 is best. The second & third rear cog from the dropout while on the big chainring have the best chain alignment. You can feel & hear the increased chain friction when you go outside these.cogs. (cross chaining)

Will you miss the 16? Let's put it this way: if you had a remote control for the TV, and someone took it away, yes, you'd miss it. If you had a washer/dryer and then you didn't, yes, you'd miss it. It's like that.

Are you using a compact crank or standard with standard chainrings?

I think the 11-25 was geared (sic) to the compact crowd.

Just spoke to my LBS, and he said the same thing. For those who don't know Toronto, we have no hills and the group rides and races I need the 11.

Going with a 11-23. Have 12-25 for hills and 13-26 for California/Europe

Just spoke to my LBS, and he said the same thing. For those who don't know Toronto, we have no hills and the group rides and races I need the 11.

Going with a 11-23. Have 12-25 for hills and 13-26 for California/Europe
do you really need the 11? look at grumpy's post. sprinting, you can easily spin a 12 to 40+ mph....at least in my area, the guy that sprints in the 11 at 80-95 rpm is always the guy getting bested at the line by someone spinning a 12-14 at 130+ rpm...again, ymmv, etc etc

This subject always gets many responses, both for the 11 and against it. But using the 11 comes down to much more than just sprinting some times, and for almost every race that I ride I choose the 11-23. For training I used 12-25. I always have the 16, and my chainrings are 39/53.

When it comes to racing, I never need the 25T. My region and races are hilly, but the races are dotted with many power climbs of 1-2 km instead of long sustained climbing. In most races I likely don't use anything smaller than 39x21. At the P/1/2 level, if I needed the 25 I would probably also be getting dropped. As a non-sprinter type, it also makes sense that I likely don't need the 11T either, but I have found it useful. Long, gradual downhills and extended cross-tailwind sections can require it. I'll cite two examples: I once initiated a race-winning breakaway by attacking in 53x11 while going downhill. It came after a flurry of attacks and counters on a climb and false-flat. The other example is where I didn't have the 11T, back in my 9spd days I was a 12-23 guy and I was in a 4-man break where 2 guys had 11T cogs. There was a long tail-crosswind section each lap, and those two guys were sticking it to me and the other guy at 65 km/h.

Anyway, I'm just here to say that the 11T is useful for more than sprinting, and when it comes to racing each individual should be very analytical of his style, strength and course in selecting gearing. No use having a 25 or 26 if all you ride is 21, ditto if you can't push an 11 anywhere then it is also useless.

i use a 12-25 for training and a 11-23 for racing
if im in the 25 im pretty much blown up
as no matter what were not going up hill below 10

Why would you need an 11 ???
11's are made for 42 mph sprinters, not for going downhill.Thats where you are very wrong unless you are on a big pro team. I am very much a sprinter and have NEVER had to use an 11 in a sprint. Amateur racing is nothing like pro racing when it comes to a field sprint. Pros have dedicated people to rachet up the speed so the sprinters are already hauling ass when they start the sprint. For pros an 11 is very useful in sprints but even more useful for going downhill. If you look all pros use an 11 but how many are even sprinters?

For strong aggresive riders that live in hilly areas an 11 is very very useful. I spin my brains out around here in my 53/12 several times on every ride. I am only using a 12-25 for now but will switch to an 11-23 when I wear that out. I used an 11-23 back in 2003 before I took three years off. Everybody has different riding styles and needs so what works for me may not for you. Its very ignorant of you to think that an 11 is only for sprinting. An 11 is much more useful for downhills even for non pros.

How about this for thought!

Do you use the 16 frequently or is one of you favorite spinning gears? If it is, I bet you'll miss it.

I will ad to that and say if one uses the 16 more often than feeling spun out in the 12, then dont get the 11.

Regards Anders

...I'm just here to say that the 11T is useful for more than sprinting...

Great point Eric. I am always amazed that anytime an 11T is mentioned the first thing that comes out is the max sprint speed and the suggestion that the poster sign up for the pro tour. These guys get out their spreadsheets and run their formulas. Nobody even asked if this guy was running compact cranks, just immediatly posted max sprint speed.

The times I find I need an 11T is the same as you. I have been in breakaway groups with those brisk spring tailwinds and you can watch the guys without an 11T shoot out the back after spinning their brains out. Same experience with the 25t here in the rollers of the midwest, if you are in the 25t you are no longer in the race.

I want a 16t in all my cassettes because I use it and if its not there I truly miss it. Favorite cassette for training and all around riding for my terrain and ability is a 12-23. Never find myself missing a gear with that cassette. I will use an 11-23 or 12-25 when racing or heading out of town depending on the course.

Just spoke to my LBS, and he said the same thing. For those who don't know Toronto, we have no hills and the group rides and races I need the 11.

Going with a 11-23. Have 12-25 for hills and 13-26 for California/Europe

Baloney.

I race P/1/2 in Ontario, Quebec, Vermont with a 12-25 to 13-29 with a 53-39 up front no probs.

Unless I'm going to be riding your wheel and you'll be pulling at 55km/h...right?

How about this for thought!

Do you use the 16 frequently or is one of you favorite spinning gears? If it is, I bet you'll miss it.

We have a BINGO!!!

It's a question that only the OP can answer.