Compact Cranks

[GREENPEA]

Anybody here that is using or has used a 50/34 crank set?

I've been pondering this as I have gotten older and this moring as I got destoyed up a canyon by a guy who was able to stay on the big ring longer than myself.

I've got good miles down this year and have put some hill time in als well.

I just had to come off the big ring sooner and he popped open a gap that I could not close.

What has your experience been?

 

[MANUCHAO]

I can relate to what you saying...
I have had some riding buddies change their cassettes to bigger gears.. (cheaper?) and that seems to do the trick.. just dont go to big or it will hurt yah on the long rides...

 

[mustardfj40]

5 years ago, I was pushing standard crank up big hills and felt good doing it, now I swapped it out for the compact crank and I am doing just OK...I found out it wasn't the crank, it's the fawking aging that catching up with me. I bet Lance Armstrong learned something about it during this year tour too

Compact crank does help, and maybe you can use mtb cassette in the back too.

 

[wxm]

Depending on what type of riding you do, I personally have never been into racing so compact would be just fine. In fact, I have been riding with fixie with 48T crank, and 16 or 15 cogs - pretty comfortable for cruising around the town.

 

[GREENPEA]

I ended up going the TA Chainring rout. I looked all over for a descent price on a Campy crank, but I couldn't justify buying a entire new set up at $600+ to match my group.

I don't want to admit age yet but I can't recover nearly as fast as I used too.

I really think Lance's fitness played a roll this year and he will be better next. I don't think he will beat Contadour but it will be a better fight.

 

[FirstToy]

If you want to go compact, don't hesitate. It has very similar gearing to 53/39 if you tie it to a 11-23 or 11-21. There is more cross-chaining which is the worst I can say- and that's not bad. You can even race on compact with little issue but a regular crank is preferable to avoid the cross chaining and stay in the 'sweet spot' better. I think standard gearing is 'faster' than compact in real world situations for some reason.

Any other time, compact is totally fine and probably preferable to most.

 

[GREENPEA]

My biggest issue is I never ever get down to the 11 for more than a few seconds. It has to be steep and in that event tucking and coasting is better anyways. I know I will run into some crossing but there is atrade off no matter what IMO. I can use all ten rings now.

 

[GDA62/100]

I'm no racer and getting old, too. I prefer the compact I ride now to the triple I used to have for what I ride on which includes some relatively challenging climbs. If you're not climbing, you'll never use the small front chainring.

 

[BRKLYN1]

Look at these

these are fun cranks


Hammerschmidt

I have them on a free ride bike I give them a 10+. Its like a 24t and 38t all in one