Originally Posted by
GaryPitts
I am planning to get my first drop bar bike, a Specialized CX bike, that I intend to use only on the road. Kind of a hybrid with drop bars if you will. It comes with a 50/36 compact front and 11/28 10 speed rear. The hybrid I am used to riding has a 50/36/26 front and an 11/26 nine speed rear. I have a few hills that I use that lowest gear on and it seems kind of drastic to go from a 26/26 to a 36/28. They make an 11/32 rear gear. Shouldn't I get that swapped when I buy it or am I off base?
I NEVER stand when climbing, but perhaps that's the luxury of the lower gearing. I don't mind standing if that's what it takes and heck, on a few of these Tennessee hills I may be standing anyway even with the 32 in back.
This will also be my first compact gear up front, so I'm in uncharted territory. The front gearing doesn't have any options unless I swapped out the whole thing, so I'm stuck with 50/36 up front. Thanks much!
You will have a lighter bike than the Hybrid for one thing and climbing with a 36-28 isn't that bad. Is it a SRAM or Shimano by the way? Once you get used to a compact you will not miss the tripple. Well I don't know how California hills compare to Tennessee so you could look into an Apex if or a longer reach Shimano if you need more gear. However where did you find a CX from Specialized with a 50x36 compact? Most of the ones I have looked at ar 48x34.