Fifty Plus (50+) - Compact Crankset trial

On my maiden ride of the Blue Goose I felt very sluggish. Two of my geared bikes are 52/39 but it's 52/42 up front [I can tell the difference] The Paramount might be the same or 52/40.

Despite having to remove the beautiful Nuovo Record crankset (I'd hate to buy one now) I've ordered a 50/36 Sugino crank that looks like it's good quality. With a 11-28 7 cog freewheel that should give some interesting ratios to work with.

In other news the Lotus touring bike I put out on permanent loan is returning. I've ordered some bar end adaptors from Rivendell. BTW permanent loan == give it back if you're getting rid of it.

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/579/1001169mk8.th.jpg (http://img72.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1001169mk8.jpg)

50/11 would still give me a far higher top gear than I can use.

You will definitely be able to feel the 15% drop in low gear from 42/28 to 36/28.

Sounds like the same XD compact crankset I have on my Bridgestone. Very good quality imho. I'm not completely happy with a 7 speed/compact double setup. I can have either wide range with a 12-28 cassette, or close ratios with a 13-23. The step from small to big ring is a big one and gets to be awkward in some rolling terrain situations. I think a compact would work better with 9 or 10 cogs than it does with 7. I'm going back to a triple so I can have closer ratios and a smoother transition from mid to high and I'll have the small ring for tired legs and steep hills.

You're not crazy about stem shifters?

I rode a triple and rarely used the 52. Went compact double and I use the 50 frequently. 50/34 and 12/27 and I use all the gears 34/27 is only used uphills or into the strong headwind- but the 50/12 only gets used downhill.

You're not crazy about stem shifters?

The Lotus originally had some crazy bar end shifters - knobs that were like twist grips. Since they were ratty I put the big Suntour power stem shifters on. They have a ratcheting action.
Three of my bikes have Dura-Ace bar-end 8/9 speed shifters. I'll experiment with the Rivendell adaptors since I have several Suntory, DA, and Shimano DT levers.
I've used and built bikes with STI but they're pricey and (I've heard) prone to failure.

The Lotus is an interesting bike. I believe it weighed 26 lbs as shown. At over 60cm with rack, pedals, and saddle bag that's not bad for a steel touring bike.

I had my Voyageur built with 105 compact double... 50/34 with a SRAM cassette, 11-28.

I have only been on one ride on it, and I am terribly out of shape, but it was a nice range of gears.

Best single change I ever made to my bikes in 30+ years of adult cycling was to give up on the old 52/42 or 53/39 cranksets and go with something close to 48/34 (the Atlantis has a 46-36-26 triple). No kidding, I rode 3000 miles a year or more for 10 years, and I never once needed the 53-11 (I did try it a couple of times just to prove it was useless). With the smaller chainrings I shift much less in front, can climb anything the tires will stick to and I still have one or two more gears on top than I need. Might not suit a stronger rider, but any time I can turn a 53-11, I'm going to be coasting.

Best single change I ever made to my bikes in 30+ years of adult cycling was to give up on the old 52/42 or 53/39 cranksets and go with something close to 48/34 (the Atlantis has a 46-36-26 triple). No kidding, I rode 3000 miles a year or more for 10 years, and I never once needed the 53-11 (I did try it a couple of times just to prove it was useless). With the smaller chainrings I shift much less in front, can climb anything the tires will stick to and I still have one or two more gears on top than I need. Might not suit a stronger rider, but any time I can turn a 53-11, I'm going to be coasting.

I'm thinking that I like the idea of a 36 vice 39, 42, or 34. With a 28 rear that will give me a reasonable bail out gear. The 36 will let me explore the smaller cogs, and the 50 will get me off the larger cogs.

The Lotus I retrieved today has 50-46-26 and 13-30. The Dawes had a 52/48/?? crankset that I did not like but sold for good money. The Lotus a very interesting specimen. I think I'll ride her a little before selling. Given her Columbus tubing, rack, high quality 27" wheels/tires, canti brakes, and other quality items I'd hold out for premium $.

I think BD got it right. If you're looking at a seven or eight in the rear cog, the steps can be a bit awkward. I think compact work best with 9 or 10 in the rear.

Best single change I ever made to my bikes in 30+ years of adult cycling was to give up on the old 52/42 ... cranksets and go with something close to 48/34 ...

The 47-38 I put on Capo #1 is essentially 52-42, with 10% less pedal force and 10% higher RPM. Works great for this old coot!

I'm thinking that I like the idea of a 36 vice 39, 42, or 34. With a 28 rear that will give me a reasonable bail out gear. The 36 will let me explore the smaller cogs, and the 50 will get me off the larger cogs.

To me the real key has to do with flat road gears.

The issue with a compact crankset is the big gap between chainrings and the lack of overlap. The big gap makes it necessary to shift one or two rear cogs to find the next gear in sequence and the lap of overlap dictates when you have to make the front shift.

If your favorite no-wind flat road gear falls in the middle of the cassette, you'll have a couple of "trim" gears in each direction and you can save the small chainring for climbing steep hills. If you find yourself having to make a lot of front chainring changes on relatively flat roads, you're going to hate a compact crankset.

In the interest of full disclosure I have a 50/34 compact with a 12/25 9-speed cassette on my Klein. Installing a compact crankset on that bike might be the best equipment upgrade I've ever made. It's a perfect match for the way that I use that particular bike. I like it a lot.

To me the real key has to do with flat road gears.

The issue with a compact crankset is the big gap between chainrings and the lack of overlap. The big gap makes it necessary to shift one or two rear cogs to find the next gear in sequence and the lap of overlap dictates when you have to make the front shift.
If your favorite no-wind flat road gear falls in the middle of the cassette, you'll have a couple of "trim" gears in each direction and you can save the small chainring for climbing steep hills. If you find yourself having to make a lot of front chainring changes on relatively flat roads, you're going to hate a compact crankset.

In the interest of full disclosure I have a 50/34 compact with a 12/25 9-speed cassette on my Klein. Installing a compact crankset on that bike might be the best equipment upgrade I've ever made. It's a perfect match for the way that I use that particular bike. I like it a lot.


One of the differences you will find- and get used to is that Overlap. Change to the 34/36 and go up a couple of gears on the back- OR don't bother changing of off the 50 till it is really necessary and the gear will fall correct. After a while- you find a way to turn it to your advantage. And if On the flat- I am in the 50t and once I find the rear cog- I don't vary much. Problem is I don't ride flats-Too many hills in my area for that.

I think it all boils down to the terrain you ride on, what cadence you like and how strong you are. Strong rider- low cadence or Flat then a Compact may not be for you. But I have seen very strong- Young riders walk up some of our slopes with a standard crank set up.

And both road bikes have 50/34 and 12/27 find it difficult on the hills otherwise.

- OR don't bother changing of off the 50 till it is really necessary and the gear will fall correct. After a while- you find a way to turn it to your advantage.

BINGO! That's what I do. I seldom use the 34 except for hills. When I shift into the 34 as I start up a hill, I generally lose enough momentum so that the rear cog which I'm already in turns out to be the right one.

BINGO! That's what I do. I seldom use the 34 except for hills. When I shift into the 34 as I start up a hill, I generally lose enough momentum so that the rear cog which I'm already in turns out to be the right one.

The great and the experienced always find the way that works.