Cypress, Let's look at the math of your claim. As for spinning out 53x11 at 120rpm is 46.4 mph. the only way you're spinning this gear out would be on very steep descents at a speed where the extra speed gain by continuing to pedal isn't worth the energy expended.

On the other side, you're right those aren't sisssy climbs, lets assume you're doing extended climibing in the 8% range. (I imagine in reality your climbs are sometimes steeper than 8%). you say you don't touch the 25, so your low gear would be 42x23. At 80 rpm 42x 23 is almost 12mph. If you can do sustained big mountain climbs at 12mph, quit your day job and concentrate on cycling because that rate of asencion is at least enough to finish in the professional pack.

Compact doubles make so much sense it's scary.

The number of people chiming in here who have them, and the number of club riders I know who have gotten them in that last year attest to that. For any middle-of-the-pack club rider (who, let's face it, make up 80% of road bike customers) and many others, they are the obvious choice.

So why is it again that Shimano still doesn't make one?

I don't have one yet (although I do have other 110/74 cranks), but I'm getting the Centaur.

To be fair, Jobst Brandt tours in the Alps every year with 180mm cranks and a 44/21 low gear. Admittedly, he's an extreme case, and I'm sure he turns those pedals over at much less than 80 rpm. Diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks.

After veiwing all of the posts, I've decided to throw my 53 on the inside, a 62 outside, and CNC my own 10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-20 cassette. Of course I won't be able to have a front derailleur, but that's ok. I can shift the chain with my hand.

Bring on the Stelvio!

Have you ever climbed with Jobst? He's all over his bike, trying to keep the pedals moving. It looks very strange, as if he's going to stop dead. Different strokes is right.



Oh yeah, about compact cranks. A 50/34's lowest gear is 13% higher than a standard triple's, 13% lower than a standard double, and the high is 6% lower than a standard double/triple.

I switched to a 50/34 last year and won't be switching back.

^^ Terry, remind us again what cassette you're running? I have a vague memory of something like 12-23 or 12-25?

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/123238-compact-crank-overload.html

I love them. I have two bikes... both have em. I run a 11-23 or 12-27 or 11-27 in the back given the day. for most i think an 12-25 wil work.

I use a 12-27, 9 speed. The 27 almost never gets used, but it's nice to have on those rare occasions. My most common climbing cog is the 21.

i just upg from triple to compact double last night (fsa gossamer). from the fifteen minutes that i've had to get acquainted with it .... i kinda miss all the gears (i feel like there's ten gear ratios missing! ha), but i'm sure i'll get used to it. i like the shifting. it's pretty hilly in these parts so less is more.

This is why I like to ride fixed gear....the one gear I use (46X16) will just have to do. It's brought me up some pretty serious hills, and is much lighter than a double, tripple, or compact. That said, my new bike has a double, and I'm enjoying that almost as much. I like the 53 ring, and can't think of too many times I'd need anything smaller than a 39.

I'll give you one:

Quadzilla

A 50/39 would make sense for me. I have an 12-25 10 speed Ultegra in the rear. The small ring 39 is fine for me as I rarely go beyond the 23 in the rear on the hills. But I'm a little bit of a masher and like to ride in the large ring in the front.At the speeds I ride I find myself in the larger rings in the back especially up the milder hills and rarly go fast enough for the smallest cog. A 50 would keep me more offen in the middle of the back and make it easier to go up more difficult hills without going to the small chain ring in the front. Can I just replace the large front chain ring??

I really like my 2 compacts. I also have 2 std 53/39s and a 52/42/30 triple. A compact is most often the 'go-to' now, especially if I'm going to ride some new route I've never done before. It offers the full range of gearing I need for good flats and descending and enough low end to get up anything.
I use a 50/34 and 8 spd 13x23 with single steps to 17 and then 19/21/23. Great range of gearing, 2 rings make shifting a no-brainer, never seem to have a problem keepin up.
I've just ordered a 12-19 straightblock cassette to use on the race bike with a compact, the 53/39 will come off. The other 53/39 is on an 80's Vintage Colnago in Campy C-record grouppo and will stay that way.

There are some awesome threads and info on compacts here on BF, thanks in large part to Duppy - do a search, it'll be worth it.

I'll give you two:
Everest Challenge

(though I'm sure there are a few who have ridden that fixie)

indeed. here someone put together a comprehesive thread. i don't think it's outdated and could be useful for the OP.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=123238

LOLOLOLOL.

I forgot; that one's probably way too easy for you. Will we see you there?

22 year old college kid? You overestimate my freetime and available funds.

But not your ability, right? I mean, c'mon, if you had the time and funds, you'd be there at the head of the pack, probably spinning 53x11, right? Maybe next year, huh? Gosh, sorry we'll miss ya.

Obsess much?

Nah, just like to see how it's done.

Anyway, on topic: I'll be there with my compact. Should be fun.

You doing Everest this year? Hmm, maybe I'll have to do it again. But just for fun.

I'm signed up for Climb to Kaiser already.

Yeah, that is my Big Goal for the year. I am planning on just doing the "citizen" ride (yeah, for, uh "fun"!!), not the race. I may re-evaluate that later this summer, after a gut-check on fitness.

Thinking about Kaiser, too. Shooting for 1/2 million this year . . .

I run a compact triple on my mountain bike, but that was only to offset the lower-than-usaul bb height of my race bike. You know, for logovers and what not.

Are you a little guy Terry? If you like climbing I figure you must be an elfin Heras-like clone!