Opinions - compact vs standard

Everything Else
1

Hey Everyone,

Just curious what your opinions are on compact crank vs standard crank.

Also, for you gear nuts, can you tell me the compact equivalent gear ratio of a 52-14 set up? As in a compact would be 50-?? …

Thanks!

-Mike

2

in my opinion its ok if you like to climb and dont mind spinning a bit more on the downhills.

52-14 is 100.3 gear inches

the equivalent with a 50 in front is between a 13 and a 14

calculate all you want here

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/

Enjoy
Peter

3

COMMMMMMMPAAAAAAAAACT!!!

Seriously. You’re more inclined to hammer than I am, but I can’t speak highly enough about them. Sheldon’s site is a good place to figure out equivalents, but if you just slap a new cassette with an 11t smallest cog on there you won’t be losing any gears that you’ll notice (I think you actually gain a little bit.) I ride a 50-34t compact with an 11-23t cassette, though next time I replace my drivetrain I’m going 11-25t as I prefer to spin up hills.

…alternatively, you could go the Honsberger route…

4

[quote=“Mike Prebil”]
…alternatively, you could go the Honsberger route…[/quote]

Now really, was that necessary?

5

I say it respectfully, of course. It takes profound confidence and knowledge of self to put aside your misgivings and go the way of the triple. I just don’t know if Mike A’s ready to answer the call.

6

I say Compact too. If you ever are limited with a 50 I would be surprised! You can put an 11 at the back (50-11) and that is “bigger” than 53-12, what is usually the “standard” setup.

7

I think mike is trying to get set up for the new gear restriction rule in senior 3 though. He wouldn’t be able to run a 50-11, legally at least.

8

shit, and I just had them switch out my compact for a regular on my new ride. was that a mistake? (btw, I am used to riding downhill bikes with one chainring up mt royal, if that helps)

9

The gear restriction only applies to those placing top 10. So, if everyone plans to place top 10s all the time, then it applies, but if you dont think you’ll ever do top 10, then dont worry about.

And i am planning for my future riding, and racing.

I’ll probably up to Senior 2 mid season, so I wont need the gear restriction, but I decided to go compact simply because I’ll be in the mountains come mid-July, and I pitty da fool who climbs 25 km with a standard, i’ve tried, and it aint fun like milkshakes and drive ins…

and plus, compact gives a better range of gears for my riding style…