Curious about Cranksets

[DG145]

Hi

Apologies if this question has been asked and answered many times already, but ...

What is the practical difference between a 46/36 crankset (like you typically see on a cross bike) and the 34/50 set up more often seen on road bikes?

Why the difference on the two sets of bikes?

Thanks

 

[festival]

Obviously a cross bike is designed for riding off road and the gearing is in general suited to the demands of cyclo cross. e.g. lower gears compared to a road bike.
The 50/34 allows for a broad range of gears, higher ratios at one end, while allowing lower gearing than usual for racing, e.g. typical sportive ratio for the less fit.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I have 46/36 and I like it as it does not have a big gap like a 50/34.

I find that I tend to live on the 46 (with a 12-28 rear) almost all of the time. Spins out in the low 30's which is fine by me plus I can get up the hills that I want to as well.

 

[Dusty Bin]

Hi

Apologies if this question has been asked and answered many times already, but ...

What is the practical difference between a 46/36 crankset (like you typically see on a cross bike) and the 34/50 set up more often seen on road bikes?

Why the difference on the two sets of bikes?

Thanks

Aside from the difference in available gear inches, both chainsets will be 110bcd (ie 'compact') regardless. 34/50 gives you a more usable range of road gears - 36/46 supposedly gives you a more usable range of cross gears - although 46 is probably too big for most people outside of a handful of pros riding a pan-flat course. 34 with 42 or 44 outer makes more sense for UK races.