Switching to compact soon.
04-18-11 | 10:18 PM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: SE Minnesota
Bikes: are better than yours.
04-18-11 | 10:39 PM
#27
moth -----> flame
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,919
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From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: 18 Tarmac SL6, 11 CAAD 10-4, 07 Specialized Roubaix Comp, 98 Peugeot Horizon
Its more convenient in a lot of ways, because I found after switching to a compact I would stick in the big ring for rollers, rather than jumping down to the 39, and I find I tend to stay in the big ring longer.
Other thing to watch out for after the switch is down shifting the front -- if the FD isn't properly adjusted -- can lead to you dropping the chain pretty easily. Don't ask how I've learned that....
As others have mentioned, the compact ideally keeps you on the bike longer, rather than walking up an incline, which will help out your fitness in the long haul. Besides, if you're not racing, what's the point of getting to the top first?
Other thing to watch out for after the switch is down shifting the front -- if the FD isn't properly adjusted -- can lead to you dropping the chain pretty easily. Don't ask how I've learned that....
As others have mentioned, the compact ideally keeps you on the bike longer, rather than walking up an incline, which will help out your fitness in the long haul. Besides, if you're not racing, what's the point of getting to the top first?
Re- chain drop - I did this once early on; just avoid shifting down to the 34 when you've gone all the way to the big cogs on your cassette, shift earlier in the cassette. I've never dropped the chain since I worked that out.
Finally, the last comment - there are quite a few racers who run compact cranks round here. Trust me, once you're actually in a race, no one is counting the teeth on anyone's chain rings.
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04-20-11 | 02:16 AM
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 106
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From: Los Angeles, Ca
Bikes: Litespeed Archon, Ultimate, Palmares, Blade. BMC Pro Machine. Trek 7.3 FX Commuter
Running downhill with your gearing at 50 mph implies your cadence will be in the 140 range. Not really feasible for most riders for any significant period of time.
04-20-11 | 01:36 PM
#29
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Mountain View, CA USA and Golden, CO USA
Bikes: 97 Litespeed, 50-39-30x13-26 10 cogs, Campagnolo Ultrashift, retroreflective rims on SON28/PowerTap hubs
Completely reasonable. Before the grade is that steep you can't add enough power from pedaling to overcome the drag increase that goes with it instead of using a good tuck.
04-20-11 | 02:02 PM
#30
Well the hills I get up to 50-51 with a compact are somewhat steep in areas coasting only will get me to about 45-48 in the steep part I tuck as well as I can pedal as fast as I can and it is up to the 140 range and I can get to 50 its a short burst of pedaling for 50 yards that will bet me those extra mph.
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It may not be fancy but it gets me were I need to go.
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It may not be fancy but it gets me were I need to go.
https://www.jtgraphics.net/cyclist_bicycles.htm
