Bike Forums - Compact Crank Overload

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- - Compact Crank Overload (https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/123238-compact-crank-overload.html)

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p138/ggg300/work.jpg
FSA ^^^ getting a lil crazy...

Do you all think we should get a sticky for the topic? If so would you add anything to the following?

This is about all you will need to understand the idea and use of a compact crank.

Compact Crank http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_cn-z.html
A double-chainring crankset with that permits the use of smaller chainrings than will fit with the common 130 mm B.C.D.. Most "compact double" cranks use the old standard 110 mm B.C.D. which permits the use of chainrings as small as 33 teeth (more commonly, 34 or 36 teeth.)
Compact crank sets usually come with a 50 tooth chainring, and will normally go with an 11 or 12 tooth top sprocket in back.
110 mm B.C.D. double cranks with full-sized (52-42, 52-40, etc.) were common in the late'70s and early '80s, but they had become nearly extinct for double chainrings. The rebirth of this format, with smaller rings, was pioneered by Tyler Hamilton who used one of these in the 2003 Tour de France http://www.tylerhamilton.com/home1.html

The basic idea behind the use of the compact as it relates to top speed and low speed:
http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadin...r/gearing.html

How to counter some one who thinks you’re weak for getting a compact:
1. Oh ya…..My 50/11 is bigger than your 52/12.
2. Oh ya…..Your “standard crankset” with a 52/39 is really a normalized compact crank because old standard was a 52/42 for a double.
3. Oh ya….How are your knees?
4. Oh ya….sticks and stones may….

5. Oh ya...I can make my compact go from a 34/50 all the way up to 42/52 if I wanted too....http://www.bikeusa.com/components/chainrings.html by just getting the right ring set.

seems like 50/34 is not as cool as the 50/36 for some :http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=291496&page=2

You can get Ringset for the 110 crank at:
.... http://www.bikeusa.com/components/chainrings.html
.... http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30...ory=203&type=T
.... http://www.speedgoat.com/catalog.asp?cat=50

A few BF threads on the topic:

Lowest gear: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=compact+crank
Review: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=compact+crank
Who uses them: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=compact+crank: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...79#post2092279
Best Value: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=compact+crank
V.S Triple: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=compact+crank http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...20#post2178520
Pride: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=compact+crank; or some just don't get it http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=160270

some smack talking... http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=172843&page=3

Can my standard crank go compact? http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=124072

50/34 vs 50/36 and other issues http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=288462

What you’ll pick up after reading some of the BF threads:
1. There is and always will be a double vs. triple argument.
2. Flatlanders just don’t get it.
3. sydney will let you know what is compatible with a compact crank. edit...RIP...miss the man!
4. Even Terry Morse the Climbing Fool has one.
5. Some want the compact b/c:
a. It is lighter
b. It “shifts better” than a triple
c. There is less to think about in terms of which gear one should to be in.
d. It was the cheap way to get triple like gears without an expensive upgrade for a bike that is a double.
e. They ride a lot of hills/mountains
f. Other reasons or a mix of the above.

Actually, Tom Ritchey started to offer his Ritchey Logic compact crank set with a 110mm spider 5 or 6 years ago. The funny think was that the first generation of this offering came with a 53 38 set of chain rings. While living in Michigan, I swapped the 38 for a 42 and was very happy. After moving to the Rockies, those came off and a 50 34 set of rings went on. I would say that Tyler and or his mechanics simply popularlized an existing concept.

Some say that the shifting for a compact is not as good as with a reg. double, but a lot of us will tell you that you can use a reg double derailleur, but if you want to be pick-e there are 3 Front Derailleurs to pick from:

IRD Compact Front Derailleur:
http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?p...=33&site=qbike

Full Speed Ahead Front Derailleur C-16 Compact
http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?p...=33&site=qbike

Campagnolo Chorus CT Compact Front Derailleur
http://gallery.bcentral.com/GID49468...erailleur.aspx

some BF on the Campy http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=160783

FSA's website for a gear comparison

http://www.fullspeedahead.com/downlo...comparison.pdf

and

for your do it yourselfer

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/

what a BF chat about gears looks like http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=114657&page=1

Why Hamilton went Compact?

http://www.bike-zone.com/tech.php?id...003/news/jul28

"The lower gears helped Hamilton stay seated on the climbs, and recover enough eventually to break away from the peloton on the first slopes of the Col de Soudet and take out a stage win."

PEZ-Test: FSA Compact SL-K MEGAEXO & K-Force Cranks

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=2976

"Interesting Point #1: North American interest in compact cranksets got a big resurgence after Tyler’s 2003 TDF, but these things have been huge in Europe – and especially Italy - for years. Turns out the Gran Fondo set have been running compact cranks for a while, and we’re not talking a bunch of granny rollers here – these are the cycling nutters who train hard like we do, all for the purpose of humiliating the guy from the next town over in one of these several thousand rider “races” that often run up to 250km."

First to go CF on CC as claimed by...
http://www.bikyle.com/PinarelloHistory.htm

Shimano has also formally announced the "FC-R700"

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za...RSET_VERSION=1 Some owners want a 36t ring for that crank but can find one by shimano via FC-R700...you have to go to FSA or other makers for the 36t...

and not to be out done mid level campy....http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=155867

A Funny by velocipedio on the topic:

"if you need a low gear [for your standard double], get a 12-27 cassette. if you need a lower gear than that, go for the compact crankset. if you can't get up a hill with a 34/27, then you are either cycling in the himalayas or dead."

:D

Are you selling compact cranks???

Quote:

Originally Posted by galen_52657

Are you selling compact cranks???

Hay galen. How is it going?

Na just gone a lil nuts on the topic b/c it I am kinda sick of seeing it asked about over and over again. I can't find anything to add to what is here. I guess I am done.

[QUOTE=ggg300]Do you all think we should get a sticky for the topic? QUOTE]

Definitely! should be sticky

[QUOTE=cyclezen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggg300

Do you all think we should get a sticky for the topic? QUOTE]

Definitely! should be sticky

well that make two votes for a sticky! feeling good! :)

I know that most BFs don't have the Attention Span for a thread like this, but got to give it a try.

42/21 is as low as you need to go...

No wait - that was what I rode in 1985...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arizona-Cyclist

42/21 is as low as you need to go...

No wait - that was what I rode in 1985...

Things do change...the 12t and the 11t cog really lets us play with what we have up front.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggg300

Shimano has also formally announced the "FC-R700"

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za...RSET_VERSION=1

http://cycle.shimano-eu.com/catalog/...=1134153393557

its here...BF on topic...http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...71#post1905071......review....http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=46628

some issues with getting the crank and the bearings...http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=175294

the question is: what is more popular threads about compact cranks or shmano vs. campy? i think everyone is bored with shimano vs. campy and cc is the next best thing to post on.

So, I'm thinking of going with a compact. Where can I find information that will help me decide?

:D

Good job ggg300.

55/Rad