Originally Posted by
jsutkeepspining
the only issue with compacts is that the 34 is far to small for regular riding (i.e. non mountainous riding). you're always stuck between your big ring and your small ring, where as the 39 can be ridden at much higher speeds.
It depends where you ride. Around here we have mostly flats or hills. If you're on the flats with wind it's easier to stay in the big ring with a compact so less need to switch to the little ring. On the hills I would normally switch to my little ring in any case but there are some hills I'll choose to stand up and stay in the big ring with a compact so again a little less shifting between rings.
With wind it's difficult to stay in the little ring.