53/39 to compact conversion question
04-27-05 | 08:06 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Industrial Strength BS
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 324
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From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Cervelo Soloist, QR Kilo
53/39 to compact conversion question
I have been thinking about buying a compact for my Soloist. I just want it for my half-dozen trips up to the Blue Ridge Mountains each summer, and I am happy with the 53-39 almost all of the time around home. I already own a nice set of carbon cranks, and would prefer not to spend another $400 on a crank I will use 6 times per year, and I also don't want to put a piece of crap on one of the nicer bikes I own. My question is, is it possible to replace only the chainrings without replacing the entire crankset? It looks like the 50-34 might be pretty close in relation to the existing bolt pattern, so I'm not sure if it will fit. What do you guys think?
ps- Sorry if this has been covered. I searched and I wasn't able to come up with anything useful.
ps- Sorry if this has been covered. I searched and I wasn't able to come up with anything useful.
04-27-05 | 08:32 PM
#3
Gone, but not forgotten
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,301
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From: Newtonville, Massachusetts
Bikes: See: https://sheldonbrown.org/bicycles
Originally Posted by hoodlum
I have been thinking about buying a compact for my Soloist. I just want it for my half-dozen trips up to the Blue Ridge Mountains each summer, and I am happy with the 53-39 almost all of the time around home. I already own a nice set of carbon cranks, and would prefer not to spend another $400 on a crank I will use 6 times per year, and I also don't want to put a piece of crap on one of the nicer bikes I own. My question is, is it possible to replace only the chainrings without replacing the entire crankset? It looks like the 50-34 might be pretty close in relation to the existing bolt pattern, so I'm not sure if it will fit.
It would be easier and cheaper to go to a bigger cassette (and a new chain.)
My "Century Special" 13-30 cassette is quite popular, and will almost certanly work with your existing derailers.
If you don't mind replacing the rear derailer, you could go for something bigger, such as one of my "Cyclotouriste" 1-34 or 14-34 cassettes.
See https://harriscyclery.com/9 for details.
Sheldon "Options" Brown
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04-27-05 | 08:34 PM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
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Originally Posted by hoodlum
I have been thinking about buying a compact for my Soloist. I just want it for my half-dozen trips up to the Blue Ridge Mountains each summer, and I am happy with the 53-39 almost all of the time around home. I already own a nice set of carbon cranks, and would prefer not to spend another $400 on a crank I will use 6 times per year, and I also don't want to put a piece of crap on one of the nicer bikes I own.
04-27-05 | 08:44 PM
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,428
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Originally Posted by Sheldon Brown
It won't. 38 is the smallest that can physically fit on a 130 mm BCD crank, ....
04-28-05 | 04:46 AM
#8
Thread Starter
Industrial Strength BS
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 324
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From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Cervelo Soloist, QR Kilo
Thanks for all the input. I think I will just buy myself a set compact cranks. I really don't need all that much provocation to buy new bike stuff, and it gives me a good reason to work on the bike. I appreciate everyone's advice, but wow, Sheldon Brown! It's not every day you get your questions answered by a legend.
