Double to Compact - what fits?!

[Mike!]

After a while with my new roadie it has become clear i need to alter the gearing on it. It came with a standard double 53/39 and 12/23 on the rear. I'm hardly ever getting on to the big ring and suffering on climbs where being able to spin would be better on occasion.

So my question is can ? simply change the front cranks for a compact? Are they all the same? I currently have 2011 Sram Rival and have my eye on a lightly used 2011 Sram Red compact.

Any advice would be very welcome, after going compact I realise i may want to change the rear cassette too but living in suffolk I'm hoping maybe going compact will be enough....

 

[black'n'yellow]

Force to Red will be a straight swap - you can even use the same BB..

 

[Mike!]

Excellent, thought it might do but wasn't sure on BB differences

 

[Mike!]

The owner says it's for BB30 only so will steer clear of that one??!!

My bike is not BB30!

 

[User482]

Why not just change your cassette? Something like a 12-27 would fit the bill perhaps.

 

[Mike!]

Why not just change your cassette? Something like a 12-27 would fit the bill perhaps.

I had considered that (and it would be the cheaper option) but not sure I'd still ever get on the big ring (like I do on my 50/34 - 11/32 equipped commuter.

Might make sense to try that first though....

 

[boydj]

You will probably need to change the rear mech, if it's a short cage one, to cope with the bigger difference between chain rings if you go compact. I'd try a wider cassette first, but if you go bigger than 27 or so, you may still need the new rear mech.

 

[Smokin Joe]

You will probably need to change the rear mech, if it's a short cage one, to cope with the bigger difference between chain rings if you go compact. I'd try a wider cassette first, but if you go bigger than 27 or so, you may still need the new rear mech.

A short cage mech will easily cope with a compact chainset and will also take a 29t sprocket.

 

[Mike!]

I'll take it to my friendly LBS to check I think, I do like the cassette as it's got nice tight ratios which is why I was thinking go compact first.

 

[Mike!]

OK, managed to pickup a little used Sram Red compact crank which i fitted today, quick spin arounf the block and all seems fine.

Hopefully i now have a better spinning setup :-)

 

[pawl]

I use 50 34 with a 26 tooth rear on a short cage mech.No problems with shifting.