Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

Anybody own the new Shimano compact 50/34?

Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Anybody own the new Shimano compact 50/34?

Old 07-15-06, 05:36 PM
  #1  
Commuting Fool
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: North Hollywood, CA
Posts: 342

Bikes: Raleigh Rush Hour (SS/fixie)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Anybody own the new Shimano compact 50/34?

Was tempted to get a Truvativ Rouleur or FSA SLK carbon, but Roadbike Review slams both of these.

No review on the new Shimano compact. Are they at least Ultegra grade in quality?

Autobus is offline  
Old 07-15-06, 07:04 PM
  #2  
Let's do a Century
 
jppe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 8,316

Bikes: Cervelo R3 Disc, Pinarello Prince/Campy SR; Cervelo R3/Sram Red; Trek 5900/Duraace, Lynskey GR260 Ultegra

Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 651 Post(s)
Liked 879 Times in 408 Posts
I've put about 1000 miles on my Shimano R700 50/34 and it is a very, very good crank. I'm using it with other Dura Ace drive train components as well. I've used it on both 9 speed and 10 speed setups and have not had any shifting issues at all-none. I've put it through a number of mountain rides and some poor shifts on my part as well. Presently I'm even using a "less than high-end" 9 speed chain and it shifts extremely well.

I actually had a new-in-the box FSA SLK with megaexo BB 50/34 (actually I still have it!) but my LBS was sold on the shifting quality of the R700 over the FSA and I think he was right. While it's a tad heavier the smooth shifting more than makes up for any weight deficiences.

I suspect Shimano will make enhancements over time with the R700 but in my opinion it's at least Ultegra quality right now.
jppe is offline  
Old 07-15-06, 07:06 PM
  #3  
hello
 
roadfix's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 18,675
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 184 Post(s)
Liked 100 Times in 43 Posts
Here's a related article regarding Shimano compacts:

https://www.velonews.com/tech/report/...es/9882.0.html
roadfix is offline  
Old 07-15-06, 07:08 PM
  #4  
Me talk pretty one day.
 
eyefloater's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,073
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I haven't used it yet but I plan on using it for my cyclocross bike next season (the reason being I think it will provide a nice base for easily swapping between road and cross wheelsets). That, and the fact that I've read numerous positive comments on the crankset in these forums. From seeing the crank in person and talking to others who have used it ... I don't have any other crankset in mind for my build.
eyefloater is offline  
Old 07-15-06, 07:20 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
7rider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Mountain View, CA
Posts: 925

Bikes: 1999 Seven Sola, 2004 Bianchi Axis, 2005 Trek Madone 5.2 SL, 2006 Merlin Works CR 3/2.5, 2009 Kona Ute, Spot Acme, 2017 Raleigh Roker Comp, 2016 Specialized Camber Expert 29

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I just put one on my Ultegra equipped bike, and I like it. Shifts are smooth and the install was easy.

7rider is offline  
Old 07-15-06, 07:51 PM
  #6  
It is fantastic.
 
voltman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: The OC
Posts: 7,977

Bikes: 05 Specialized Allez Elite; 06 Fuji Team Pro

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I wonder if they'll do a 50/36 combo.
voltman is offline  
Old 07-15-06, 09:05 PM
  #7  
Ottrott SE Rider
 
Apollo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Fort Collins Colorado
Posts: 101

Bikes: Klein Qprocarbon, Lemond Tete de Course, Serotta Ottrott SE

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Yup, just put one on my Lemond. Love it. Worth it and I can pretty much do the same hills as my triple on my Klein.

~Apollo
Apollo is offline  
Old 07-15-06, 09:09 PM
  #8  
semifreddo amartuerer
 
'nother's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Northern CA
Posts: 4,599

Bikes: several

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
I got one with a new bike, about 3500 miles ago. It was my first compact so I can't really compare it to others, but I can say that it works just fine. Shifts great, no worries. Marketing from Shimano placed it at Ultegra level, though it's not officially badged as such. Though I don't think it matters too much, you could use it with just about anything, DA, Ultegra, 105, whatever.
'nother is offline  
Old 07-15-06, 10:08 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 685
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by voltman
I wonder if they'll do a 50/36 combo.
I haven't seen one, but like someone else told me when I asked about changing my FSA SLK from 50/36 to 50/34, as long as you get a 110 BCD chainring your ought to be able to switch. I ordered a 34T ring from lickbike.com and received but have not installed it on the FSA yet. Here's the 36T. https://www.lickbike.com/productpage.aspx?PART_NUM_SUB='0096-34' You ought to be able to seel the 34T that comes with the R700 for the same amount.
I have the R700 on order for another bike. Ordered Friday the 7th and am still waiting to receive from probikekit.com (not time to worry yet, only 8 days).
NRRider is offline  
Old 07-29-06, 03:18 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
Gibbygoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: California
Posts: 567
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I have a related question about the R700, so I'll post it here...

My front derailluer is a bolt on type (not clamp on). Will this work ok? Is any adjustment necessary?
Gibbygoo is offline  
Old 07-29-06, 03:22 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
ReedZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Posts: 259

Bikes: 2006 BMC Pro Machine - SLC01 (07 Record), 2007 BMC Team Machine -SLT01 (07 Chorus), Reynolds Tubular Wheelsets

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Going from 53/39 to the R700, I had to lower my FD about 2 mm. This was the only adjustment I needed.
ReedZ is offline  
Old 07-29-06, 03:25 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
Gibbygoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: California
Posts: 567
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by ReedZ
Going from 53/39 to the R700, I had to lower my FD about 2 mm. This was the only adjustment I needed.
That's what I thought. Can someone tell me if it's possible to lower a bolt on FD?
Gibbygoo is offline  
Old 07-29-06, 03:29 PM
  #13  
@ Checkmate Cycling
 
jbhowat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 1,617

Bikes: CAAD 8 - Ultegra

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Yeah, you can lower it by almost a cm I'd guess. It bolts into a slot, not a round hole.


I just got a bike with the R700 compact and I love it so far. Shifting is some of the crispest I've seen on any crankset and its also really stiff.

If you want a 36, you can buy a 36t, 110bcd chainring and put it on.
jbhowat is offline  
Old 07-29-06, 03:37 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Gibbygoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: California
Posts: 567
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by jbhowat
Yeah, you can lower it by almost a cm I'd guess. It bolts into a slot, not a round hole.


I just got a bike with the R700 compact and I love it so far. Shifting is some of the crispest I've seen on any crankset and its also really stiff.

If you want a 36, you can buy a 36t, 110bcd chainring and put it on.
Will that work ok, a 36t with a 53t, as far as shifting? Who has those chain rings?
Gibbygoo is offline  
Old 07-29-06, 03:52 PM
  #15  
.
 
bbattle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Rocket City, No'ala
Posts: 12,760

Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 5.2, 1985 Pinarello Treviso, 1990 Gardin Shred, 2006 Bianchi San Jose

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 62 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 24 Times in 11 Posts
My bike has Shimano front derailleur with an FSA Gossamer compact and it works just fine so I don't think you'll have any trouble with your bolt-on derailleur.
__________________
bbattle is offline  
Old 07-29-06, 03:58 PM
  #16  
.
 
bbattle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Rocket City, No'ala
Posts: 12,760

Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 5.2, 1985 Pinarello Treviso, 1990 Gardin Shred, 2006 Bianchi San Jose

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 62 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 24 Times in 11 Posts
You can't have a 53-36; 130mm BCD chainrings have to be 14T or less; 110mm BCD can be 16T or less.
__________________
bbattle is offline  
Old 07-29-06, 05:34 PM
  #17  
@ Checkmate Cycling
 
jbhowat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 1,617

Bikes: CAAD 8 - Ultegra

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
They make 52t chainrings though and you could have a 52/36t.
jbhowat is offline  
Old 07-29-06, 07:53 PM
  #18  
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 31
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I have the ultegra 50/34 and am pretty lukewarm on it, but for different reasons. It would be great on my cross bike, or if I were doing 75% of my riding as climbing (I do a fair bit of climbing)... but issues with a crappy chain-line and a good amount of rattle from the drive-train in the 34T ring (because there is an abundance of extra chain) are annoying.. I may go back to the 39/53... jury's still out. Also, the shifting pattern is something to be aware of.. for a smooth transition between 34 and 50 you're looking at a minimum of 2 and often 3 shifts in the back.
Citabria is offline  
Old 07-29-06, 09:21 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
bruce19's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT
Posts: 8,456

Bikes: CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX & Guru steel

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1722 Post(s)
Liked 1,272 Times in 734 Posts
What's the rap on the FSA SLK? I just got a Masi Gran Criterium S with that crankset and I have no problems at this point.

bruce19
bruce19 is offline  
Old 07-29-06, 09:51 PM
  #20  
Let's do a Century
 
jppe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 8,316

Bikes: Cervelo R3 Disc, Pinarello Prince/Campy SR; Cervelo R3/Sram Red; Trek 5900/Duraace, Lynskey GR260 Ultegra

Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 651 Post(s)
Liked 879 Times in 408 Posts
Originally Posted by Relayer
I have a related question about the R700, so I'll post it here...

My front derailluer is a bolt on type (not clamp on). Will this work ok? Is any adjustment necessary?
Generally it's not a problem as there is enough play to make any necessary movements. BTW mine is a braze-on FD and it works great.
jppe is offline  
Old 07-29-06, 11:43 PM
  #21  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 914
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by bbattle
You can't have a 53-36; 130mm BCD chainrings have to be 14T or less; 110mm BCD can be 16T or less.

That's not a function of the BCD; it's a function of the FD cage. DA, Ultegra have 15 teeth capacity, while 105 (10sp) have 16 teeth capacity. The FC-R700 (like a few other compact cranks) have assist ramps to bridge the tall jump, so the "standard" 15 teeth FD's can work smoothly.
mayukawa is offline  
Old 07-30-06, 09:35 AM
  #22  
Senior Member
 
badger1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 5,079
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1558 Post(s)
Liked 1,144 Times in 583 Posts
Originally Posted by jppe
Generally it's not a problem as there is enough play to make any necessary movements. BTW mine is a braze-on FD and it works great.
Yes, and as well I think that one of the things Shim. did when bringing out the 700 was to ensure it would work properly with 'regular' f/ds -- that's one reason it took them a while to bring a compact to market.
badger1 is offline  
Old 07-30-06, 11:01 AM
  #23  
Eschew Obfuscation
 
SesameCrunch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 3,845

Bikes: 2005 Fuji Professional, 2002 Lemond Zurich, Folders - Strida, Merc, Dahon, Downtube, Recumbent folder

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Citabria
..but issues with a crappy chain-line and a good amount of rattle from the drive-train in the 34T ring (because there is an abundance of extra chain) are annoying...
FWIW, I had the same rattling noise issue when I switched to a compact. But there was not enough slack for me to remove an entire link. I ended up taking some slack out of the chain by adjusting the B screw on the rear derailleur. Works fine now, no noise, very smooth. I am one happy compact owner.
SesameCrunch is offline  
Old 07-30-06, 11:20 AM
  #24  
MWW
Team October Lake Effect
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Posts: 169

Bikes: KHS Solo One (2003), Cannondale 29er (2007), Giant Iguana (2001), Cannondale SystemSix (2007, race set-up), Gitane Sprint (trainer), Cannondale CAAD 8 back-up, Cyclocross 2005 (105/Ult), Cannondale Ironman TT 2006

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I've had one for about two months. It works well with 9 and 10. I upgraded to 10 since getting the crank and I would recommend it. It does appear to be Ultegra level, but the chain rings and sculpting appear more like the D/A. Go for it.

To those considering a 50/36; this offers you no advantage over a 53/39 with a proportional cassette. Do the math.
MWW is offline  
Old 07-30-06, 12:12 PM
  #25  
RacingBear
 
UmneyDurak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NorCal
Posts: 9,053
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 280 Post(s)
Liked 68 Times in 36 Posts
Have it on my new bike. Put umm a bunch of miles on it. No real complaints. I do have a problem with cross chainning thought, but thats inherent with all the compact cranks.
UmneyDurak is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.