I've Had Enough of my Compact.

[Justinslow]

Did 61 miles today on my 53 39 with 9 sp 11 23, no issues, but probably used the 39 more than I ever did the 34, mainly to be safe knowing that I wouldn't get into trouble half way up a hill, lowest I got into was 39 21 could have probably managed the 19 ring,so one or two gears left in reserve. Not many mountains in East Anglia but one or two fairly steep hills

 

[400bhp]

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

You did OK

 

[Hacienda71]

You did OK

Apart from the hooligan downhills in 53:11.

 

[Hacienda71]

Hmm and here's me thinking of going the other way... my lowest is 39/26 and i stall on a few hills around here...

... maybe its because im a lard-ass .

I would suggest hill repeats on Mow Cop, soon get you flying up the odd incline.

 

[albion]

That quite well known cyclist Arthy Ritis refuses to use a compact or even go triple.

Yet youngsters yet to meet the guy like compacts more.

 

[G3CWI]

I would suggest hill repeats on Mow Cop, soon get you flying up the odd incline.

My repeats are at least a year apart.

 

[zaza123]

Crazy man...

https://www.strava.com/activities/394628121

 

[blackgoff]

A mate of mine has a fancy Cannondale black n white job - real light but its downfall is the gearing - 34-50, it came with a 12-27 10 sp cassette. He lives in a flat area and spends near' all the time in the 50 ring, recently has put a 11 or 12-23 or 25 on the back - reckons this has a better spread of gears instead of the spacing to the 27t'. I've only eve seen him in the 34 once and that was up Sheephouse Ln - Winter Hill way, whereas I got the gear wrong the day WELL wrong and was in a 42-25...he got up the hill 1st lol Prior to this tho, there was 25-30ml of flat...and i hate riding down the block in a 39' as the chain is TOO diagonal...so i shoudlve put that 50t ive got in the shed ;/

Always wondered about a 40t or 41 t - 53t c,set - must check out the ratios on that...

 

[aberal]

A mate of mine has a fancy Cannondale black n white job - real light but its downfall is the gearing - 34-50, it came with a 12-27 10 sp cassette. He lives in a flat area....

The 34-50 gearing is not a"downfall". Gearing is there to cope with differing terrains. If he lives in a flat area, as you say, then sticking in the 50 is fine. If he lived in a hilly area, then he would make more use of the 34. Simples.

 

[bpsmith]

Unless he's riding 50:11 all the time then there's no need for larger chainrings. The fact that the 34 is on there doesn't matter, if he's always in the 50 anyway. He wouldn't notice what is on there, if always in the big ring.

Have to agree about the closer ratio cassette on the back though. Having less gaps is definitely better, if the larger sprockets are not required.

 

[cyberknight]

I changed my 34 to a 36 , a lot better jump between rings as you dont end up spinning away on a down shift .

 

[smutchin]

A mate of mine has a fancy Cannondale black n white job - real light but its downfall is the gearing - 34-50, it came with a 12-27 10 sp cassette. He lives in a flat area and spends near' all the time in the 50 ring, recently has put a 11 or 12-23 or 25 on the back - reckons this has a better spread of gears instead of the spacing to the 27t'.

50x12 @ 100rpm (as you advocate) is ~33mph - he certainly doesn't need higher gearing than that...

This mate of yours isn't a lanky chap named Brad, by any chance?

 

[Justinslow]

I hardly ever get into the top few gears on my 53/39 11-23 9speed.......obviously, I stuck it on for TT's to make better use of downhill speed. It has comprised my "normal" riding as I'm now more often higher up the cassette where the jumps between gears are bigger, for instance today on a team TT I felt quite a few times I was either spinning too much or next gear was "labouring". Think I noticed it more today as we were trying to ride together (3 riders) and keeping with decent riders takes you out of your comfort zone.

 

[3narf]

Excuse my ignorance- what tooth combination denotes a compact chainset?

I'll be buying a geared bike soon and I don't think I need a compact.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Excuse my ignorance- what tooth combination denotes a compact chainset?

I'll be buying a geared bike soon and I don't think I need a compact.

50/34(compact) 52/36(pro compact) 53/39(standard)