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

Compact Cranks or Not?

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

Compact Cranks or Not?

Old 04-20-07, 11:52 AM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Phx
Posts: 39

Bikes: Scott CR1 & Ellsworth Truth, looking for a 29 ridgid and a vintage Steel road bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Compact Cranks or Not?

Can I get some advantages and disadvantages to compact cranks. I'm a 6'1" frame and 200lbs. Not the best climber but getting better because I'm hunting out the hills. I'm afraid compact would decrease my advantage on teh flats or downhill, but maybe help on the climbs?

Chad
kleinboyz is offline  
Old 04-20-07, 12:07 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Surferbruce's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Los Angeles/Aveyron France
Posts: 5,308
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
heres the reponses you'll get
yes
no
get a triple
stay with the 53x39
real men ride 54x42
change your cassette
get a new bike
work on your engine
my compact crank changed my life
make it a fixie....

am i missing any?
bit of a hot topic dude, but really the only way to know is to try it. i went to a compact and don't feel like i'm losing anything but a few grams...
Surferbruce is offline  
Old 04-20-07, 12:11 PM
  #3  
Burnin' and Lootin'
 
ggg300's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SoCA
Posts: 2,713
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Surferbruce
heres the reponses you'll get
yes
no
get a triple
stay with the 53x39
real men ride 54x42
change your cassette
get a new bike
work on your engine
my compact crank changed my life
make it a fixie....

am i missing any?
bit of a hot topic dude, but really the only way to know is to try it. i went to a compact and don't feel like i'm losing anything but a few grams...
+1 see https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/123238-compact-crank-overload.html
ggg300 is offline  
Old 04-20-07, 12:11 PM
  #4  
pan y agua
 
merlinextraligh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,271

Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike

Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1426 Post(s)
Liked 692 Times in 351 Posts
50x11= 44mph@120rpm

Your not missing anything on the flats or descents.


I'm actually going to pick up my new Shimano R700 afterwork which is going on for the Brasstown Bald century next week.
merlinextraligh is offline  
Old 04-20-07, 12:13 PM
  #5  
Dumb@s$ Jarhead
 
mrt10x's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Woodland Park CO
Posts: 1,110

Bikes: Calfee Dragon Fly Pro 1984 Pinarello Montello

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I thought I got more bang for my buck by going to 12-27 rather than when I switched to compact up front.
mrt10x is offline  
Old 04-20-07, 12:35 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Gilbert, AZ
Posts: 671

Bikes: Specialized Allez Comp

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'm not sure what you're currently using but if you go from a 53/39 crank with a 12/25 on the back to a 50/34 compact you're going pick up two lower gears and lose your highest gear. You'll also get less overlapping gears between your big and little ring. If you're concerned about losing that high gear all you have to do is put on on an 11/23 cassette and you'll actually pick up a higher gear. There isn't a down side except for the cost. I live in the Phoenix area and there aren't any hills here significant enough to need a triple IMO. I'm running a 12/25 on the back and I've only spun out coming down at the most 2 or 3steep hills(S.Mountain and King Kong). It's nice having the extra gears for that final push up to the Towers though.
azwhelan is offline  
Old 04-20-07, 01:41 PM
  #7  
Mmmmm potatoes
 
idcruiserman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Idaho
Posts: 1,921
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I was happy with my R700 until it got run over. Also happy with the 48/36 on my cross check, but it's only used for commuting. I haven't spun out yet.
idcruiserman is offline  
Old 04-20-07, 01:51 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Northern California
Posts: 10,879
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 104 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts
No way to answer that question without knowing your fitness level and the kind of riding you do. A compact will lower your fastest gear a little, so if you regularly ride at over 40mph or you have a very slow cadence, that is a consideration.
johnny99 is offline  
Old 04-20-07, 01:53 PM
  #9  
Biker looking for a ride!
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Edmond Oklahoma
Posts: 1,480

Bikes: Kuota Kreedo...looking for something different.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I run a 50/34 12/25 and will soon switch to a 11/25 (Few weeks)...I am very happy with it...right now I am not running out of gears BUT I am in my 12 more often....I think what a compact does for most people is it let you use your 12-13-14-15 gears where "most people" don't get to use those gears...or when they do there cadence is way to slow.....

I feel like I have way more gears to choose from on my current setup......I am very happy with it....

IMO Compact is the way to go....
biffstephens is offline  
Old 04-20-07, 02:02 PM
  #10  
Banned.
 
El Diablo Rojo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: ATX, Ex So Cal
Posts: 11,058

Bikes: Ridley Noah-Scott Addict-Orbea Ordu

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I race with a compact 50/36 11/23, this is essentially a 53/39 12/25, I do gain a bit on both ends but it's marginal. So why did I switch? Three reasons. First I found after doing a power fit on a computrainer that my pedal stroke is the most fluid between 92 and 115 rpm. I also make the most power and my HR is actually lower at the rpm than if I were grinding a bigger gear at a lower cadence. Second, the spacing on a 11/23 is better than on a 12/25. Third, and less importantly, I am saving some weight on the cassette.

These are the reasons, I've found little or no difference in the performance, ie shifting, of my compact when compared to my standard. I have an FSA SL-K crankset with the MegoExo BB and standard Campagnolo Record FD.
El Diablo Rojo is offline  
Old 04-20-07, 03:36 PM
  #11  
Faith-Vigilance-Service
 
Patriot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Port Orchard, WA
Posts: 8,330

Bikes: Trinity, Paradisus, Centurion, Mongoose, Trek

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I run 50/34 with 11-23t. I find it very good for all around riding, even climbing.

My wife runs 50/34 with 12-25. She sacrifices very little, if anything, on the flats.

If you can get a 50/34 with an 11-25, then I would think you'd get the best of both worlds.
__________________
President, OCP
--"Will you have some tea... at the theatre with me?"--
Patriot is offline  
Old 04-20-07, 03:44 PM
  #12  
Isaias
 
NoRacer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Essex, MD
Posts: 5,182

Bikes: Ridley X-Fire (carbon, white)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Compacts are for wussy.

Just kidding. I was running the R700 with a cobbled together Ultegra 11-25 cassette for several months, but just recently decided that I wanted to work on my strength, so I put the standard Ultegra crank back on.
NoRacer is offline  
Old 04-20-07, 04:36 PM
  #13  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Phx
Posts: 39

Bikes: Scott CR1 & Ellsworth Truth, looking for a 29 ridgid and a vintage Steel road bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'm on a double 12/25 standard crankset. The reason I'm asking is I may have found a nice deal on a Time frame that comes with a carbon compact crankset. Just looking for some opinion. King Kong is steep but short. South Mtn is a good test though. How are they on along decent like Bartlett?

Thanks!
kleinboyz is offline  
Old 04-20-07, 04:38 PM
  #14  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Phx
Posts: 39

Bikes: Scott CR1 & Ellsworth Truth, looking for a 29 ridgid and a vintage Steel road bike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
interesting, thanks
kleinboyz is offline  
Old 04-20-07, 05:20 PM
  #15  
Tandem Vincitur
 
Ritterview's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Northern California
Posts: 3,317

Bikes: BMC Pro Machine SLC01, Specialized Globe, Burley Rock 'N Roll tandem, Calfee Dragonfly tandem.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Phoenix has hills, does it not?

I have some very steep hills I need get up, and so I have a 50/34 in front and a 13/29 in back. When I go on a mountainous group ride I'll be waiting for everyone else at the top of the hill, and then I have trouble catching them on the descent because I spin out at 30 mph. Of course, it is mainly my cowardice rather than lack of propulsion that prevents me from going faster on the descents.
Ritterview is offline  
Old 04-20-07, 10:20 PM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 6,900
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Surferbruce
heres the reponses you'll get
yes
no
get a triple
stay with the 53x39
real men ride 54x42
change your cassette
get a new bike
work on your engine
my compact crank changed my life
make it a fixie....

am i missing any?
bit of a hot topic dude, but really the only way to know is to try it. i went to a compact and don't feel like i'm losing anything but a few grams...
Almost complete. You missed a complete technical diatribe on the advantages of each gear of each combination in both compact and standard cranks.
oilman_15106 is offline  
Old 04-21-07, 12:12 AM
  #17  
Senior Member
 
adam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Toronto area
Posts: 1,124

Bikes: Cervelo, Pinarello, Specialized

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Interesting quote from the Tour de Georgia today:

Former world U23 time-trial champion Danny Pate said Brasstown Bald was the hardest climb he'd ever done in a race in North America.

"We had to put special gears on," Pate said. "I rode a 38-27, and some of the guys were on compact cranks. It's just a really hard climb to do on day five."
from: https://velonews.com/race/dom/articles/12089.0.html
adam is offline  
Old 04-21-07, 10:22 PM
  #18  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Gilbert, AZ
Posts: 671

Bikes: Specialized Allez Comp

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by kleinboyz
I'm on a double 12/25 standard crankset. The reason I'm asking is I may have found a nice deal on a Time frame that comes with a carbon compact crankset. Just looking for some opinion. King Kong is steep but short. South Mtn is a good test though. How are they on along decent like Bartlett?

Thanks!
King Kong is short but if you bomb down it I spin out with only a 12 on the back. I haven't done Bartlett since I put the compact on but based on my memories of the descent I would bet you would spin out. If spinning out is your biggest concern it's an easy fix by adding an 11 to the cassette.
azwhelan is offline  
Old 04-21-07, 10:26 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Gilbert, AZ
Posts: 671

Bikes: Specialized Allez Comp

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Ritterview
Phoenix has hills, does it not?

I have some very steep hills I need get up, and so I have a 50/34 in front and a 13/29 in back. When I go on a mountainous group ride I'll be waiting for everyone else at the top of the hill, and then I have trouble catching them on the descent because I spin out at 30 mph. Of course, it is mainly my cowardice rather than lack of propulsion that prevents me from going faster on the descents.
You really have to seek them out. There is nothing signicant in the city itself but there are some descent climbs on the fringe. South Mt. Park is a 7 mile climb with a steep section at the very end. Since they redid the road it has become popular. Tuscon has Mt. Lemmon which is a cycling mecca for AZ.
azwhelan is offline  
Old 04-21-07, 11:02 PM
  #20  
Shoebomber
 
Dick Rhee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,071

Bikes: 2008 Canyon CF Pro w/ Chorus, 2005 Moots Vamoots w/ Ultegra, 1988 Cannondale commuter

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by mrt10x
I thought I got more bang for my buck by going to 12-27 rather than when I switched to compact up front.
I have a 12-27 and think there's way too big of a jump between the last 4 gears. It totally sucks on smaller ascents/flat riding because I can never get into a comfortable cadence. I want to pick up a compact and switch to a 12-25 or 11-23 but don't currently have the funds.
Dick Rhee is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


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.