Hi all,

I am currently running a 52*39 14*25 setup on my bike an I am in need of lower gears. (Its fine for where I live in CT but when I went up to race in VT last summer I was constantly grinding my lowest gear a lot.) I'm probably going to switch the low end of my cassette to have a 27 or 28 tooth cog but I also would want a smaller inner chainring on the crank. (currently a [Shimano 105] double) I am a junior, so if I switch to a normal compact crank (34*50) I will lose some of my top end gear, which I can't do because it is low enough as it is and when I race in non-junior races I am put at a disadvantage, so I would like to keep my top end. I have been researching about a compact 34*52 setup. I read about someone using a 53*33 compact crank so I assume it is possible. I know that FSA sells a 110 BCD 52 outer chainring but they say it can only be used with FSA cranks. Is this really true? I would not like to go with a FSA crank as I have read bad reviews about them and would like to stick with either a Shimano R700 compact crank or an Ultegra SL compact. Does any one know if the FSA chainring would work with the Shimano crank? If not, can anyone point me towards another solution?

Thanks for any advice.