fordfasterr

Just wondering... what is the best double crankset for crit racing?

I'm looking for lowest price + stiffness.

bdcheung

Shimano R700

fordfasterr

Thanks.

nitropowered

Make sure you get an 11-21 cassette

merlinextraligh

Best compact double for crit racing, particularly in South Florida is an oxymoron.

Admittedly 50x11 is a big enough gear for just about any mortal.

However if the stated purpose is crit racing, you certainly don't need a compact, particularly in Florida.

Jynx

+1

Whether you need a compact or not is a different story.

fordfasterr

I get what you are saying, but if we look at the actual differences in gearing for a weak sprinter like me we have this: (assuming 35 mph top speed on a flat without a leadout)...


50x12 = 112.5 inches 105 rpms.
53x12 = 119.2 inches 99 rpms.

50x11 = 122.7 inches 96 rpms.
53x11 = 130 inches 90 rpms.


One thing is likely certain, I will not be in the top gear for the final sprint.. lol I'm not strong enough to turn a big gear like that... It is more likely that I'll be in the 50x15/14/13 or something more manageable.

WCroadie

You should be spinning higher rpms when sprinting. Last crit I did I averaged 102 rpms for the race and it had 2 hills in it.

Why do you want a compact if you live in florida???

fordfasterr

It makes it a bit easier to do the Vista View races... it is a circuit race that goes over two old garbage dumps... climbing is nasty!

merlinextraligh

The problem isn't your gearing for the sprint, or really for any time you're racing a crit. With either the 53, or a 50, you're going to be in the big ring all the time, and the only difference is which cog you select in the back.

The downside to the compact is that common cruising speeds put you right at the crossover point between the big ring and the small ring, so you end up shifting a lot back and forth, or cross chaining.

For example with a 50/34 11-23 setup, 50x19 (as far over as you want to go) at 90rpm is 19mph, and 34x13 (again as far over as you want to go) is 18.9mph. So as your speed goes up or down around 19mph
(as terrain, wind, or desired effort changes) you'll be going back and forth between the big and small ring.

For alot of people the compact puts the cross over point at an awkward point.

Admittedly it's not a big deal. But when you have zero need for a compact, why not just avoid the problem.

bdcheung

I know it's all relative, but if this is your crit: https://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united...avie/321324572

then you're looking at two bumps that hardly qualify as climbs.

merlinextraligh

With the possible exception of Sugarloaf Mountain Road Race if your not in the big ring the entire race in Florida, you're OTB anyway.

I'm pretty certain, there is not a climb in Florida that requires anything lower than a 39x23, for a rider that has the fitness to begin to be competitive.

Checked the course profile for Vista View. It's about 80 feet of climbing. The max grade is 6% for about 30 vertical feet.

https://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united...avie/483724898

Sorry, but if you need a compact for that, you're not ready to race.

Val23708

SRAM Rival.

acorn_user

Campagnolo Centaur: if you buy the alloy ones, you get really high quality chain rings. They are light, pretty cheap, and seem to be reliable. Other than that, the best one is one that used to be on one of your other bikes

ridethecliche

I've raced at bethel which has a nice little hill every lap.

I've never shifted off my 53 fwiw.

MDcatV

one that comes in a 53x39

WCroadie

He is right, I don't think anyone on here is busting your stones, just being realistic. You should really consider not getting a compact, get a 12-25 or 12-27 cassette if you are concerned, but hey do what you want.

kensuf

I've raced that course. I finished 12th or 13th out of 50 on it, and I'm not a climber.

Vista View is about your ability to put out sustained power for 2 minutes and then recover. Nothing else.

wfrogge

If you are sprinting at 105-110 RPMs you are doing it wrong. I hit my max power when im spinning 140+

fordfasterr

Agreed, my comment may have suggested that I would be sprinting in that gear but it was not intended to lead to that conclusion.

I was only illustrating the maximum gear ratios and rpms at the given speed of 35 mph... Sorry for the confusion.

Hendley

Slightly off the topic, but I've never understood this point. Unless you cruise in the 39, you will be shifting a lot less on the compact than the standard.

With a standard, a heavy headwind or long slope might force me down into the 39, where in the same conditions on the compact I can stay in the big ring. I suppose it depends on terrain, wind, rider condition, but in my experience, compact = less changes at the front.

This isn't to say there aren't other arguments against compacts...

waterrockets 

SRM or Quarq (forget the compact )

MONGO!

You can put a 52/38 on a compact.

Just sayin'

merlin55

Ultegra Sl Compact, I got one for under $200 from PBK

kensuf

Some of us may be getting laid off buddy, no big expenditures in my future.