Compact question 30 teeth to 34

[scouserinlondon]

Hi everybody.

I'm half toying with thinking about a new road bike but have a gearing related question. On my current bike I have a triple with a 50, 39, 30 chainring up front. Now about 90% of the road bikes have a compact. So my question is will going from 30 teeth up front to 34 make a big difference up the hills. In very steep hills I do use the granny gear and wonder whether I'm not quite fit enough for the upgrade yet.

Thanks in advance

 

[potsy]

Depends on the range of the cassette, if it's the same as your triple then you'll notice the difference for sure, but some compacts come with a large range cassette so it could be lower geared than you think

 

[scouserinlondon]

Ah okay, and spose the extra cog on the back does mean a wider range. Still worried my lardiness will let me down.

 

[YahudaMoon]

Hi

Im currently running a 48x34 chainset with 28x12 block

This is my long distance bike and some years I do long distance with lots of hill climbing

I find if doing say 200km with 4000metres thats about 13000 feet then Im struggling no mattter how much training Ive had though Im not a good climber Of what makes me wonder why I do it.

Ive climbed Fleet Moss in the Yorkshire Dales many a time from both sides and its 50/50 as to whether I dismount the bike and walk it after climbing hills all day wheres as when I had my triple this was never a issue

I've been meaning to change my Stronglight chainset from a 48x34 to a 48x34x24 or get a block with lower gears for some time now​

 

[e-rider]

I think that you wont notice 4T difference at the front. If you have a 34x28 low gear you will be fine climbing anything.

Also 90% of road bikes don't come with compacts, perhaps 90% of the road bikes you've been looking at?

 

[scouserinlondon]

I think that you wont notice 4T difference at the front. If you have a 34x28 low gear you will be fine climbing anything.

Also 90% of road bikes don't come with compacts, perhaps 90% of the road bikes you've been looking at?

Cheers. I'll widen my search. I've been looking at fairly standard things. Like cube peleton or spec Allez or Secteurs. The joy of looking for bikes.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Why not stay with a bike fitted with a triple up front? Something similar to this?

http://www.surosa.co.uk/369896/products/surosa_toledo_audax_2012_s46t.aspx