Originally Posted by
Barrettscv
I was very happy with a 46 & 38t Cyclocross crankset and a 11-23 ten speed cassette on windy & flat routes. I could keep a tight 92 to 100 rpm cadence from 15 to 33 mph.
A 50t chainring needs a wider cadence range below 22 mph when the 17-19-21 cogs require more than a 10% change in cadence with each gear change.
I guess I have a wider comfortable cadence range as I'm happy with a compact or std. I think a 46 would be OK for normal riding but a little small for races.