Force compact or Red standard
 

I have both of these cranks at my disposal to replace my gossamer. I can't decide which I would rather use but I would prefer not to try both because the resale will be better on an unused crank. I'm leaning towards the Force compact just because that's what I have now but I'm curious at the quality and stiffness difference between the two.
A little about my riding. I'm not particularly fast but I can hold my own. I don't push it on descents, somehow my comfort on a motorcycle at speed does not carry over to my road bike. My normal ride doesn't contain any huge hills but as I progress there are some nasty grinders I would like to tackle. My cassette is a 12-27 and when I first started I would use the 34-27 more, I rarely use it now but I feel it's a dangerous thing to give up when you could have a just in case gear.

You have choices to make a compact into 34,36 or 38 -- 50, 52 with new rings. You can't make a standard much lower. so i'd go with Force. i'm not sure about stiffness but i'm guessing it is one of those things you won't notice, especially between force and red.

Are we talking current SRAM stuff? If so, pick whichever has the better gearing for you. You would/should be pretty aware of the need for more top end gearing by now IMO, and the differences between the two is relatively small...unless you're looking for bling and bragging rights :D

Force compact based upon what you wrote.

force compact. not much difference in weight, construction or otherwise if we're talking about 2012 stuff or newer, especially in the brand new 22 force. I ride a compact, lots of mountains here and I like to have the extra low options for spinning up the hills.

Thanks for the input guys, I've never ridden standard gearing so I didn't know how huge the difference could be. I think I'll throw the Force on and try it out.

I live in Eastern Mass. Big difference. I am happy with a standard and 12-27. I have 13-28 with a 52/40 on my old beater winter bike. I run 11-23 on my compact. I don't think I'd be quite as happy with a standard and 12-27 out where you are. ;)

Force compact gives you more options for riding and Red will fetch more $. Unless you're going to use it for racing i'd probably go with the compact to keep for your own.

That being said, i prefer Standard over compact, but that is simply a personal preference. Gearing up to a 27t or a 28t for inclines (unless i'm constantly finding longer 12+ grades) with a standard work fine for me.

I've ridden both and if you can tell the difference you're a better man than I am... mine's a Force standard and a Red compact and I use the compact out here because it's pretty hilly.

A bigger difference will be whether you use old SRAM chainrings or new - the new chainring style they came out with on the yaw stuff is much better. (I think they call it exogram instead of powerglide. Whatever.)