Tech help with a compact please

[Chris9181]

Hi,

I've just started riding a compact (50/34, 12/30) and after a triple and wonder if you could answer the following please?

When on either of the two front cogs, should I be selecting all gears at the back, or should I not be selecting approx gears 6 to 10 when on the front small and approx gears 1 to 4 if on the big ring, due to chain angle?

Cheers
Chris

 

[smokeysmoo]

to CC Chris

As with any drivetrain you should try to keep your chainline as straight as possible to reduce wear, but of course this is not always possible, so as long as everything runs smooth and as it should then don't worry about it.

If you weren't meant to select them they wouldn't fit them IMO

 

[TheDoctor]

indeed.
You do want to avoid the big-big and small-small combinations.
You can always get near enough the same ratio on the other ring.

 

[boydj]

I normally try to plan ahead a little and only change chainrings when I think I'll be able to stay in the same chainring for a reasonable time without hitting the extremes on the cassette.

 

[Graham]

As a rule of thumb, I normally avoid going small to 9&10 and big to 1&2. That's only if I'm thinking about what's ahead of course.......