Compact Cranks VS Normal - SOLUTION FOUND!

[Tankman]

The question remains - compact vs normal?<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

I know this has been discussed at length, but I found a solution that works for me and would like to share!

 

My previous bike came with compact 50/34, after 2 weeks of riding decided it was not for me.  Changed the complete crank to normal.

 

Then my new bike also came with compact (slightly persuaded by the carbon cranks).  Ended with the same scenario.  Not really for me.

I like power pedaling and I do suffer on the hills.

Go through the same process as before and replacing the complete set? - NO!!

 

 

Normal cranks has a BCD (Bolt Circle Diameter) of 130mm and compact a BCD of 110mm.

 

After a couple of visits to bike shops, I found a 52 FSA blade with 110mm BCD.

 

I am now running a 52/34 with 11/21 and enjoying the best of both worlds!

 

FSA actually manufactures a whole range of compact blades

?  Outer Sizes: 45, 46, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 or 56T

?  Inner Sizes: 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 or 44T

So if you have a compact crank set you have even more flexibility.  I don?t think with a normal crank set you can go smaller but with compact you can go bigger!!

[fandacious]

i want a 56/44 and 21/11 combo...

[Mudsimus]

i want a 56/44 and 21/11 combo...

 

Pansie. 56/48 - 21/11

[Speed Devil]

i want a 56/44 and 21/11 combo...

 

Pansie. 56/48 - 21/11

 

Who needs a 21? Tape up the last gear!!!!

[IanJ]

I am now running a 52/34 with 11/21 and enjoying the best of both worlds!

 

Some say that the step between 52 and 34 is too big and that you will have problems shifting up and down. Interested to hear if it shifts ok.

 

[Tankman]

I am now running a 52/34 with 11/21 and enjoying the best of both worlds!

 

Some say that the step between 52 and 34 is too big and that you will have problems shifting up and down. Interested to hear if it shifts ok.

 

 

No problems thus far, the front derailleur was moved slightly higher.<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Down not really a concern cause the chain just drops down.

Up - just make sure you don?t over shift, like doing half a shift, forgetting you have done so and then doing a full shift. Then obviously the chain will come off.

 

Think it all comes down to correct setup of Font Derailleur.

 

Even then I can always change to 36 if it becomes a hassle

[turtlek]

 

<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" ="Msonormal"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; mso-ansi-: EN">I am now running a 52/34 with 11/21 and enjoying the best of both worlds!<o:p></o:p></SPAN>

 

?

 

Some say that the step between 52 and 34 is too big and that you will have problems shifting up and down. Interested to hear if it shifts ok.

 

?

 

?

 

 

<P =Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; mso-ansi-: EN">No problems thus far' date=' the front derailleur was moved?slightly higher.<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN>

 

<P =Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; mso-ansi-: EN">Down not really a concern cause the chain just drops down.<o:p></o:p></SPAN>

 

<P =Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; mso-ansi-: EN">Up - just make sure you don?t over shift, like doing half a shift, forgetting you have done so and then doing a full shift. Then obviously the chain will come off.<o:p></o:p></SPAN>

 

<P =Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; mso-ansi-: EN">?<o:p></o:p></SPAN>

 

<P =Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; mso-ansi-: EN">Think it all comes down to correct setup of Font Derailleur.<o:p></o:p></SPAN>

 

<P =Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; mso-ansi-: EN">?<o:p></o:p></SPAN>

 

<P =Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; mso-ansi-: EN">Even then I can always change to 36 if it becomes a hassle<o:p></o:p></SPAN>

[/quote']

 

 

 

in this case it is imperitive that you check your gears very often because that simple dropping down of the chain means that there is always a possibility of it missing the chainring completely so just keep a look out for that and let us know how it goes

 

 

 

and for all the guys that are comparing gears a famous time triallist at this years beijing olympics used a 60 front blade and a 48 small blade now that is power dont you think

[Kiwi]

A lot of pros use 53/36 in races like Dauphin? Lib?r?:

 

[Tankman]

Yup, exactly what I am talking about, that is a compact crank with 110mm BCD