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View Full Version : Compacts or standard... what do you think?

-dustin
10-25-2007, 12:37 AM
my carbon SI compacts came in. Been using standard 53/ 39 and it has all been good. What would you do; keep standard or go 50/ 34? My gut says to keep the compacts until I can land the Si SLs, but I have yet to really ride compact cranks.
DirtyMike
10-25-2007, 01:31 AM
I like my compacts for climbing, lots of climbing, and more lots of climbing. standards for everything else.
Wumpus
10-25-2007, 08:15 AM
If you are going to be large fast group rides, you might want the bigger gearing. Otherwise, I doubt you are going to be cruising around at 30+mph to worry about the few extra inches.

I have a 44 on the crossbike that is fine for my solo riding, but if I ride with someone on a road bike it can sometimes be a little under geared.
James
10-25-2007, 11:00 AM
I absolutely LOVE my compact cranks! Of course, I'm not a huge climber, so the lower gearing works really well for me. I tend to spin faster too, so don't really miss the 53t.
It's nice to be able to cross-chain into any gear in either chainring too, if you need to, without worrying about ripping your derailleur off!
But it's pretty hilly here. If I lived in Wisconsin, I'd probably use standards...
LordOpie
10-25-2007, 11:24 AM
Does anyone make a 52/36?

Seems like a good compromise?
James
10-25-2007, 11:41 AM
Does anyone make a 52/36?

Seems like a good compromise?

If you run the 110mm BCD of compacts, you can get pretty much whatever size rings you want. The new FSA K-Force Light cranks are only compact, but you can get them with the full-sized rings.
Cool idea.
Mr. Hankey
10-25-2007, 11:50 AM
Does anyone make a 52/36?

Seems like a good compromise?

Goos idea. Best of both worlds!
ire
10-25-2007, 11:54 AM
I run a standard crank and a little lower geared cassette to make up the difference for climbing....I like the setup
Mr. Hankey
10-25-2007, 01:21 PM
I run a standard crank and a little lower geared cassette to make up the difference for climbing....I like the setup

I was thinking of doing the opposite. A Compact, and higher gears for flats. like 11-22 or something. Then run a 12-26 for the steep stuff. That way you save a few grams with the compact.
Zutroy
10-25-2007, 01:38 PM
I'm running a 50/34 compact with an 11-26. Works pretty well for me. Have the bail out gears on the really long or super steep stuff. Unless you have some super long straight DH runs there really isn't an issue and even then it's a wash really. On the high end a 50/11T combo and 90rpm is 32mph on a 700x23 tire. A 53 would be 33.9.

It amazes me when people say you can't sprint on it. a 50/11T is actually a larger gear than the old 52/12 was.
JRogers
10-25-2007, 05:25 PM
Anyone been using a compact on a cx bike? I have an ultegra triple on mine right now and have been considering changing to a double compact. A 39T is too big for me on some trails (I ride the cx on xc trails). I almost never use the small ring on my triple on the road unless I completely explode on a big climb.
James
10-25-2007, 05:51 PM
Anyone been using a compact on a cx bike? I have an ultegra triple on mine right now and have been considering changing to a double compact. A 39T is too big for me on some trails (I ride the cx on xc trails). I almost never use the small ring on my triple on the road unless I completely explode on a big climb.

A lot of folks are riding 38/48t or similar on the CX bikes. That's what I put on the C50 Cross bike at Interbike...
loco-gringo
10-25-2007, 08:32 PM
Anyone been using a compact on a cx bike? I have an ultegra triple on mine right now and have been considering changing to a double compact. A 39T is too big for me on some trails (I ride the cx on xc trails). I almost never use the small ring on my triple on the road unless I completely explode on a big climb.

I am. I tried to get a 48 from FSA and they only shipped the 36. I guess I'll continue to run 50/36. I am running standards on the roadie with an 11/23 and think I'll go back to 50/36 too.
DirtyMike
10-25-2007, 09:15 PM
A lot of folks are riding 38/48t or similar on the CX bikes. That's what I put on the C50 Cross bike at Interbike...

Yeah, Ive seen alot of people running compacts on Cross bikes, works really well actually. And most of them speak very highly of the compacts on there cross bikes
James
10-25-2007, 11:09 PM
Yeah, Ive seen alot of people running compacts on Cross bikes, works really well actually. And most of them speak very highly of the compacts on there cross bikes

Here's the one I built for the show, I can't remember exactly what the sizes are, but I'll look tomorrow.
Don't really need a big gear span, a lot of guys are even running a single front ring.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2007/tech/shows/interbike07/interbike0715/Colnago_C-50_cross.jpg
LordOpie
10-25-2007, 11:12 PM
...a lot of guys are even running a single front ring.
Along those lines, one day I'd like an internal geared bike.

But an 8-speed just isn't gonna cut it in the mountains.
James
10-25-2007, 11:20 PM
Along those lines, one day I'd like an internal geared bike.

But an 8-speed just isn't gonna cut it in the mountains.

What about a Rohloff? 14 speeds, no overlap...
Nice stuff...
LordOpie
10-25-2007, 11:36 PM
What about a Rohloff? 14 speeds, no overlap...
Nice stuff...

Isn't it like $100 per gear?
James
10-25-2007, 11:38 PM
Isn't it like $100 per gear?

It is pretty expensive, for sure, but you get what you pay for...
LordOpie
10-25-2007, 11:39 PM
It is pretty expensive, for sure, but you get what you pay for...

Are we still talking about bikes?
James
10-25-2007, 11:47 PM
Are we still talking about bikes?

I'm always talking about bikes...
Wumpus
10-26-2007, 08:31 AM
I have compact cranks on the cross bike -- mountain compact(32-42???).:busted: I do most of my ride in the 32.
ire
10-26-2007, 08:32 AM
Are we still talking about bikes?

LOL....aren't those hubs really heavy? Heavier than a traditional drivetrain setup?
LordOpie
10-26-2007, 08:45 AM
LOL....aren't those hubs really heavy? Heavier than a traditional drivetrain setup?

Not sure, but I think for the typical purpose they're used, weight isn't a concern.

Don't DHers use them?

And since I'll ride in crappy weather conditions, the idea of no derails front or back, no tensioner, sealed system, well, very appealing.
ire
10-26-2007, 09:14 AM
Not sure, but I think for the typical purpose they're used, weight isn't a concern.

Don't DHers use them?

And since I'll ride in crappy weather conditions, the idea of no derails front or back, no tensioner, sealed system, well, very appealing.

Some DH racers have em in their frames (ghetto gearbox setup), but for the most part ppl just use standard drivetrain. For your application it would probably kick a**
James
10-26-2007, 10:45 AM
LOL....aren't those hubs really heavy? Heavier than a traditional drivetrain setup?

I think that they're pretty in line with the weight of an XT group for example. When you weigh all the needed drivetrain parts, they come out about the same.
Of course, all that weight is concentrated in the rear wheel, which kind of sucks.
johnbryanpeters
10-27-2007, 07:30 PM
Isn't it like $100 per gear?

Pricy and adds a bunch of unsprung mass which has an adverse affect on handling...
GravityFreakTJ
10-27-2007, 10:13 PM
i raced all season on a compact 50/36 with no ill effects. just ran the appropriate cassette.