53/39 or 52/36?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 13
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
53/39 or 52/36?
Hi
I'm ordering the Giant Advanced 1 2015 when it becomes available and I have the choice whether to put 52/36 or 53/39 on it.
What factors should I be looking at when choosing?
I've ridden both over the last 6 months but haven't had a road bike since I was a teenager. I'm a weekend rider over all types of terrain including some biggish hills (I'm in Oregon). Looking to use the bike to build fitness and also to continue rehabilitation from soccer knee injury last year. I enjoy the slower cadence pedalling and am leaning towards the 53/39. But I'm 45 and getting older each year!
Any tips on how to choose are welcome.
Regards
Bob
I'm ordering the Giant Advanced 1 2015 when it becomes available and I have the choice whether to put 52/36 or 53/39 on it.
What factors should I be looking at when choosing?
I've ridden both over the last 6 months but haven't had a road bike since I was a teenager. I'm a weekend rider over all types of terrain including some biggish hills (I'm in Oregon). Looking to use the bike to build fitness and also to continue rehabilitation from soccer knee injury last year. I enjoy the slower cadence pedalling and am leaning towards the 53/39. But I'm 45 and getting older each year!
Any tips on how to choose are welcome.
Regards
Bob
#2
L-I-V-I-N
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Stafford, OR
Posts: 4,796
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I think 52/36 is a great option. Get your cadence up for long-term knee health.
__________________
"The older you do get, the more rules they're gonna try to get you to follow. You just gotta keep livin', man, L-I-V-I-N." - Wooderson
'14 carbon Synapse - '12 CAAD 10 5 - '99 Gary Fisher Big Sur
"The older you do get, the more rules they're gonna try to get you to follow. You just gotta keep livin', man, L-I-V-I-N." - Wooderson
'14 carbon Synapse - '12 CAAD 10 5 - '99 Gary Fisher Big Sur
#3
SuperGimp
What kind of bike are you riding now and what kind of gearing does it have?
I'd go midcompact if it were me though.
I'd go midcompact if it were me though.
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 13
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Bob
#5
L-I-V-I-N
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Stafford, OR
Posts: 4,796
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
You'll still have plenty of top-end speed with a 52/36...especially with an 11t (even 12 should be enough). I'd bet that bike you borrowed had a 12 or even a 13. The 36 vs. the 39 gives you a lot more flexibility for climbing; and there are some great climbs in Oregon.
__________________
"The older you do get, the more rules they're gonna try to get you to follow. You just gotta keep livin', man, L-I-V-I-N." - Wooderson
'14 carbon Synapse - '12 CAAD 10 5 - '99 Gary Fisher Big Sur
"The older you do get, the more rules they're gonna try to get you to follow. You just gotta keep livin', man, L-I-V-I-N." - Wooderson
'14 carbon Synapse - '12 CAAD 10 5 - '99 Gary Fisher Big Sur
#6
SuperGimp
I'd focus on making sure you have the right gearing for climbs... even with a full on compact crank, you won't spin out till you're in the high 30s. It's highly unlikely you'd notice the ever so slightly reduced top end with a 52 tooth chainring. So - if you get a standard crank, the smallest chainring you can ever put on it is a 38 tooth ring, whereas a compact crank with a 52/36 can be modified to a regular compact 50/34 by just switching out the chainrings.
Food for thought.
Food for thought.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Somewhere in TX
Posts: 2,266
Bikes: BH, Cervelo, Cube, Canyon
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 212 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
6 Posts
Is this the model with Ultegra 11 speed? If so, you can swap out inner rings for $20, unless it is a 42, in which case you have to buy the Dura Ace at $50.
I've never used an inner ring under 39 that I liked. The 25 and 28 tooth cassettes mean I have to go under 9 mph to want a smaller chainring.
I've never used an inner ring under 39 that I liked. The 25 and 28 tooth cassettes mean I have to go under 9 mph to want a smaller chainring.
#8
.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Rocket City, No'ala
Posts: 12,763
Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 5.2, 1985 Pinarello Treviso, 1990 Gardin Shred, 2006 Bianchi San Jose
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 62 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 28 Times
in
13 Posts
52-36.
The pros have used a 52-34 on some of the climbs in the Giro.
The difference between a 52t and a 53t is neglibible; the difference between a 36 and a 39 is definitely noticeable; particularly on a long, steep climb.
The pros have used a 52-34 on some of the climbs in the Giro.
The difference between a 52t and a 53t is neglibible; the difference between a 36 and a 39 is definitely noticeable; particularly on a long, steep climb.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Manhattan
Posts: 1,771
Bikes: AristoNYC's PedalRoom
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 130 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
6 Posts
What do you mean "all types of terrain"? Do you mean you'll be riding it on dirt/rocks/gravel etc? If so I'd look into a cyclocross bike, which usually have lower gearing anyway.
#10
Senior Member
#12
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 13
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Is this the model with Ultegra 11 speed? If so, you can swap out inner rings for $20, unless it is a 42, in which case you have to buy the Dura Ace at $50.
I've never used an inner ring under 39 that I liked. The 25 and 28 tooth cassettes mean I have to go under 9 mph to want a smaller chainring.
I've never used an inner ring under 39 that I liked. The 25 and 28 tooth cassettes mean I have to go under 9 mph to want a smaller chainring.
#14
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,843
Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1173 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times
in
612 Posts
Since you don't have enough information to know for sure, better to go with the 36. You might be glad to have that slightly lower gear for climbing.
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
#15
Semper Fi
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,942
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1172 Post(s)
Liked 358 Times
in
241 Posts
I agree with Trojan Horse, and the others, go with the 52-36 , mid-compact rings. Best of both worlds and the lower gear inch from the 36 should make the hilly parts of your area more liveable. I currently have a compact S500 SRAM, the 52 big ring is my next drive train purchase, so I can take advantage of the mid-compact higher GI now that I am riding better.
Bill
Bill
__________________
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
#17
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,843
Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1173 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times
in
612 Posts
You're an idiot
Is that better
Is that better
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
#19
Stand and Deliver
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Tampa Bay
Posts: 3,340
Bikes: Cannondale R1000, Giant TCR Advanced, Giant TCR Advanced SL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
53/39 of course. 52/36 is just a fad - it will pass. You just have to build up your quads so you can dial it up 400W to climb, then power down the other side. And since you're all clydes, we know you'll descend faster.
#20
Senior Member
Heck, I'll be the fly in the ointment......
50/34.
I can't even imagine 53/39 unless I only rode down hill 100% of the time.
52/36 may be fine, too but then you run the risk of having a 28 not be enough for a killer climb (typically the lowest gear before you have to changed from short to long RD).
50/34 with an 11/25 in 11 speed, FTW!!!
50/34.
I can't even imagine 53/39 unless I only rode down hill 100% of the time.
52/36 may be fine, too but then you run the risk of having a 28 not be enough for a killer climb (typically the lowest gear before you have to changed from short to long RD).
50/34 with an 11/25 in 11 speed, FTW!!!
#21
Solo Rider, always DFL
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Beacon, NY
Posts: 2,004
Bikes: Cannondale T800, Schwinn Voyageur
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
TRIPLE! TRIPLE! TRIPLE! (Not that you could find one on a new road bike of any meaningful price anymore.)
#22
SuperGimp
#23
Stand and Deliver
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Tampa Bay
Posts: 3,340
Bikes: Cannondale R1000, Giant TCR Advanced, Giant TCR Advanced SL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
We recently did a 50 mile route in San Antonio, FL with 2400 ft elevation and would be easy to double that with hill repeats which we sometimes do. The Horrible Hundred coming up in Clermont, FL has a little over 5,000 ft elevation. Not too bad considering its FL.
#24
Former Hoarder
#25
Senior Member
I've ran a 52/38 for the last several years and as my 60th approaches that 38 seemed to be growing. I just got a wonderful deal on a 50/34. Don't miss the 52 at all and am thinking of a 36, for the next several years at least-I hope.