these threads end the same most of the time https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=compact+crank

EGO/PRIDE...yawn...

lol! EGOMANIAC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey, hey!......well, I've got a triple on my tour bike and I watch men's figure skating.....do they count?..

Yes, we have discussed this about once every two months! Still, a good topic and in my opinion, no one approach will work for every one. I use a compact only because of the grades I need to climb and if I stuck with my 53-39, I would be using a 13-29 (Campy) cassette which has some large jumps between gears on the larger tooth ratios. I have used a triple on a touring bike and feel that they are best suited for that; hauling weight up very steep hills and there lies the advantage of the "granny" gear small innner chain ring. My compact allows me to comfortably pedal up double digit grades with a 12-25 cassette. If I am looking at bigger hills, on goes the bigger cassette. I do loose some top end down hill gearing but putting an 11 tooth on the cassette solves that although shifting between the 11 and the 13 is not super smooth. One thing to consider if you are in the market for a compact crank is chain ring swapping, even with the 110 mm spider. My first compact was a Ritchey which came with a 53-38 set of rings in 110 mm. My local shop ordered a variety of rings for me from Quality Bike Products (QBP). I actually ended up putting a 42 on for flatter terrian with aero bars because even a 39 was too much spin out. I suppose a triple crank advocate would say the same thing; put on bigger rings if you need them, leaving off the granny gear, and adjust the stop on your front derailure.

I did exactly that with my new Madone. I ordered from harris cyclery. Sheldon Brown can be found hanging out on the Mechanics forum. I ordered a TA 26 tooth and the local shop replaced it for me.

I did have a bit of a problem with the chain dropping off and 'chain guard' type fangs would not fit on my larger diameter tubed Trek.

And I'm still thinking of replacing the cassette with one that goes even lower than the 27 my ultegra now sports. My knees and age like easier pedaling even if I have to balance more to keep the bike upright at very slow speeds.

use a zip tie for the chain guard...put the guard on... lace zip tie where bolt should go and zip. its been done...enjoy your 26t!

[QUcaligurl

i don't have an ego problem with needing a compact over a triple! [/QUOTE]


I just got back from a 3 hour ride with my new compact and I have to say I have reconsidered. I must say it was almost as gratifying as taking the testarosa for a spin as a matter of fact if you looked at the big ring just right you could see a similar race yellow hue. But it did open my eyes to why most high end bike makers are offering a standard double or compact double on their high end new bikes. come on folks lighten up!

I just got back from a 3 hour ride with my new compact and I have to say I have reconsidered. I must say it was almost as gratifying as taking the testarosa for a spin as a matter of fact if you looked at the big ring just right you could see a similar race yellow hue. But it did open my eyes to why most high end bike makers are offering a standard double or compact double on their high end new bikes. come on folks lighten up![/QUOTE]

don't be a ricer...

I rode my new compact set this afternoon for the first time since installing them a couple of days ago. I like them. I replaced an old 1993 Record 52/39 crankset with a new Centaur 50/34 on the same BB. I'm still running an 8 speed. The old Record front derailleur performed flawlessly.....didn't even drop the chain as I originally feared would happen. I love my new 34-26 low gear as I was able to stay seated, relaxed, and grind through a couple of the steepest sections of my neighborhood which I was not able to do with the old 39-26 low gear.
I also found myself staying in the big ring longer throughout this ride and this made me very happy!.....is this normal, to feel happy?...

Good to hear, George.