Originally Posted by archermd
was almost about to pull the trigger and get a specialized tricross comp triple
then i read on the web that there are potential downsides to a compact geometry or was it the gears?
so now i am back to being lost and confused
i figured the bike mentioned above gave me everthing i wanted or needed
an upright postion for my sometimes painful lower back and big belly
fatter tires for stability and to ease my fears when hitting a soft shoulder or rails-to-trails
but is the compact thing an issue to worry about?
is this a heavy frame?
should i give up on the tire size issue and get a pilot or roubaix in carbon?
i really was ready to but it
wish i could get the orange fade i saw on an older trek bike
that color on a tricross would be so seductive for me
ugh
so please explain the compact thing...
Compact frames look different but are still just a frame to attach the rest of the bits to. Attachment is of a style of the frame.
Compact gearing take a bit more getting round in my opinion. Take it for granted that the rear cassette gearing will stay the same but the Normal gearing on a road bike has 2 rings- normally a 52 and 39. Even that 39 is not low enough for most of us mere mortals in hilly areas so a compact gear was devised. This will normally have a 50 and a 34 sprocket fitted. A 34 will give you a lower gear than a 39, but for some of us is still not low enough. This is where the triple comes in with sprockets of 52/42/30.
For me, living in a very hilly area- I have to have a triple- for my legs and our hills. If I were to cut out the severe hills thgen I could get away with a compact crankset, and if I were only to ride the gentle rises of a flatland area then the normal gering would suffice.
It just depends on your hills, and your legs. Each form of gearing has its uses but your LBS should be able to advise you. If you have any doubts as to your capabilities on climbing the slopes in your area- Go for a triple.
Now on the frames- I cannot see any disadvantages to a compact frame- unless you are a diehard and must have a normal frame with the cross bar at the normal height. A compact frame will be more rigid that a normal frame- The main and rear triangle are smaller and stiffer. This gives a better climbing frame as pedal power is not lost through flex in the frame- it is transmitted directly to the wheels. Weight is not a valid point as a longer seat post has to be used- Unless you are a Short A** like me but even I have a lot of seat post showing. Diadvantages- I can see none but others will have some points to raise. You are either prepared to give them a try or you do not like them. I tried a Compact frame 7 years ago and every bike since then has been compact. I like them.