I've Had Enough of my Compact.

[blackgoff]

Just purchased an ultegra 53 39 to replace my compact as I want to go FASTER! That's assuming I can handle the set up with an 11 - 23 cassette. Started TTing this year and I'm losing shed loads of time down the hills, let's just hope I can still climb up the other side!

39-23 you'll have no worries...

 

[huwsparky]

39-23 you'll have no worries...

 

[blackgoff]

What's funny about that ?

39-23 isn't exactly the hardest of gears not when 34-28 can be found on 'road bikes' nowadays...

If anything they've made ie easier yet harder on your wallet: are you laughing now lol

 

[huwsparky]

What's funny about that ?

39-23 isn't exactly the hardest of gears not when 34-28 can be found on 'road bikes' nowadays...

If anything they've made ie easier yet harder on your wallet: are you laughing now lol

Erm.... I have no idea what you're going on about?

But it depends where your riding I suppose. A 39-23 would be pretty tough around here for most I would imagine.

 

[Justinslow]

I'll find out tomorrow!

 

[Hugh Manatee]

But it depends where your riding I suppose. A 39-23 would be pretty tough around here for most I would imagine.

Oh man, that EXTREME hairpin bend out of Llangrannog is a corker! I really love that neck of the woods and we had a great week in Penbryn the week before last.

Anyway, back to the OP. I have ridden two bikes this year. The first is my "Winter bike" which I ride in the Summer too! It has 38/50 with a 13-26 cassette. I find I spend more time in the big ring. My spare bike which is my old race bike runs 53/39 with a 12-23 cassette. I'm quick on the spare bike around my regular run. It has no major hills and I can get around in no lower than second or third gear.

If I get a new bike anytime soon I'll have to get something changed. My mountain bike gets away with 12-28! However, when I went to play in the Hereford/welsh border area, it wasn't a lack of fitness that stopped me, I physically couldn't get the pedals around!

 

[huwsparky]

Oh man, that EXTREME hairpin bend out of Llangrannog is a corker! I really love that neck of the woods and we had a great week in Penbryn the week before last.

We are lucky of the roads we have here! Next time your down bring your bike and give me a shout.

If you gave me a bike with a 39-23 i'd hand it straight back. Wouldn't be able to get out the village let alone go for a ride!!!

Still, it may be more than suitable for others who don't need the low ratios or are considerably stronger than me!

 

[fossyant]

Winnats was, and will never be, a nice place. Jenkins Chapel is my nemesis. I conceded and went from 52,42 and a 21 to a 53/39 and a 24 - works as a good bail out. 39 x 24 let's me swear lots at myself as I used to get up stuff steeper as a kid (but I didn't enjoy it). I won't switch to a compact with the gear jump. I actually find the 39 a pain in the ass in hilly areas when using middle to low end of the cassette. And I can spin !!

 

[fossyant]

I use a 53 x 13 which is about 50 x 12 (I think 50 x 12 is bigger). Anyone that says they need a bigger gear isn't riding properly. You don't need it. You need to be able to spin, but at speed aero dynamics take over.

I see many folk riding near to the end of their cassette on the flat, when I'm at the other end - I am no Chris Froome. Pedal.

 

[fossyant]

So fit a 36 or 38 inner. By the way, the ability to turn a certain gear relates to fitness, not age.

Hac can ride his bike ! Doesn't need a compact, or tripple !!

 

[blackgoff]

Yeh, a lot of people don't ride a gear properly; spinning helps instead being in the 70-90rpm range. You really do get the best out of a gear when close to a 100rpm.

 

[Citius]

Yeh, a lot of people don't ride a gear properly; spinning helps instead being in the 70-90rpm range. You really do get the best out of a gear when close to a 100rpm.

70-90 is a perfectly reasonable cadence if that is what suits an individual. You get the best out of a gear when you can turn it efficiently, regardless of cadence.

 

[huwsparky]

Yeh, a lot of people don't ride a gear properly; spinning helps instead being in the 70-90rpm range. You really do get the best out of a gear when close to a 100rpm.

So you advocate spinning 100 rpm and in the same breath day a 39-23 is a perfectly effective 'low gear'.

I have no idea what speed that combination would correlate to but it must be close to 20mph.

Enter the TDF mate, you'd walk it!

 

[Citius]

You'd have to spin 39/23 at 150rpm to hit 20mph. 100rpm would get you around 15mph, give or take. Both unrealistic up any kind of 'proper' hill...

 

[Hacienda71]

I use a 53 x 13 which is about 50 x 12 (I think 50 x 12 is bigger). Anyone that says they need a bigger gear isn't riding properly. You don't need it. You need to be able to spin, but at speed aero dynamics take over.

I see many folk riding near to the end of their cassette on the flat, when I'm at the other end - I am no Chris Froome. Pedal.

Just took it out with 400bhp hilly 100 miler over to Sheffield and back no issue. 18 mph plus average. All good.