mrdick

getting the ultegra cranks too?

voltman

Sooner or later. Of course, Probikekit has them for $150. If I could get my Performance to match that plus give me the 15% off, sooner for sure.

roadfix

Voltair......are you switching from a compact to a standard double?

voltman

I want to give it a shot anyway. I don't like the Truvativ rings too much and haven't heard too many good things about the GXP bottom bracket. I figure if I really don't like the double, I could always get the Shimano compact down the road.

I never said I was smart.

roadfix

You're brave or you're getting stronger...

voltman

Strangely, I've felt like I've become a weaker rider since riding a 50/36 versus my old 52/42/30 where I never used the 30t ring. I find I end up putting myself in 36x25 more often that I need to just because it's there.

markg

I could say his compact crank is making him feel inadequate, but I won't

roadfix

So are you looking at a 42 or 39 for a small ring on the standard?

voltman

53/39. From the gear charts, if I keep my same cassette, I'm basically losing my lowest gear in exchange for a better(?) BB and crankset.

voltman

That's perfect!

jschen

What's wrong with lower gears? I like my 34/27 gear, and I intend to keep using it lots even when I don't have to. Riding big gears is hard work.

Mo'Phat

The problem with lower gears is that when you're riding in a group, and the rest of the group has a 39/25 and you're spinning a 34/25, they're going 1 - 1.5 mph faster than you.

Not saying that's a problem for everybody, just for people that want to keep up with the faster, higher-geared people.

jschen

That or you have to spin a 15% higher cadence in order to put out the same speed in a 15% lower gear. So if the rest of the group is happy to climb a particular stretch at 60 RPM in their low gear, you get to cruise at 70 RPM at the same speed.

roadfix

....or you can spin 34/23 and you'll be pretty much even with the 39/25 guys...

voltman

My compact comes with a 36t small ring.

And my legs don't like the spinny.

Tiffanie

Neither do mine.

roadfix

Then have you tried tighter cassettes? .....12-23, for instance?

voltman

Not yet. Why spend $60 when I can spend $200?

Wait, that doesn't sound right.

roadfix

Hmmmmm.

herbm

Yes it does...your my hero!!

tprevost

Hey, maybe that's my problem!!!

tprevost

the spinny********** yes, I know what you meant... just a new term for me over here

tprevost

... that's definately my philosophy! everybody... shhhhhh....

Mo'Phat

To the 'just spin faster' boyz...what if the people you're with are spinning just as fast as you?

jschen

Then you'd better spin even faster or upshift--while maintaining cadence!--if you plan to keep up. Of course, if you can't do either, then you're getting dropped regardless of your gearing selection.