Originally Posted by
texaspandj
Since I don't have any experience with a compact crankset, I really can't comment. Buuut... whatever the terrain calls for in the Tri is what I'd appreciate, if it were me.
Around here, there is no truly flat. You need some gearing on the bottom end. Me, I need lots of gearing on the bottom end.
With the compact, he could run something like a 12/24, 13/24, etc. in back. Plus, good chance the bike he settles on next will have a compact. Or maybe he buys the IM. The more I think about it, maybe a pair of cheap clip on aero bars with indexed barcons on them would be the way to go. He's probably going to clip some on anyway. He's a complete newbie, so he doesn't have any input for me.