Compact vs Standard crank

[Trubie]

Can someone please explain to me what the diff is between a compact and standard cranckset?

If I have an Ultegra 53,39 - which one is it?

 

 

[Gman1834]

That will be a standard crank.

 

compact will be 50/36

 

[Trubie]

And the perceived difference?

Or is it an actual difference?

 

What would effect be if i ride eg, 53 - 23, vs 50  - 23?

 

 

[AndreZA]

What would effect be if i ride eg' date=' 53 - 23, vs 50? - 23?[/quote']

 

 

 

It will be almost the same as riding a 53 - 25.

[Trubie]

Ok then , who would use a compact, and why?

[Dustbin Dog]

See earlier post should help

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/forum_posts.asp?TID=30305

sandstone2009-04-03 03:29:17

[Gman1834]

 

 

Gear chart using KPH @ 90 RPM
For 700 X 20 / 20-622 tire with 175 mm cranks
With 10-speed 12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-23-25 Cassette
	50	38.90%	36
12	46.9		33.8
8.30%
13	43.3		31.2
7.70%
14	40.2		29
7.10%
15	37.5		27
6.70%
16	35.2		25.3
6.30%
17	33.1		23.9
11.80%
19	29.6		21.3
10.50%
21	26.8		19.3
9.50%
23	24.5		17.6
8.70%
25	22.5		16.2

Gman18342009-04-03 03:31:56

[Gman1834]

 

 

Gear chart using KPH @ 90 RPM
For 700 X 20 / 20-622 tire with 175 mm cranks
With 10-speed 12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-23-25 Cassette
	52	33.30%	39
12	48.8		36.6
8.30%
13	45.1		33.8
7.70%
14	41.8		31.4
7.10%
15	39		29.3
6.70%
16	36.6		27.5
6.30%
17	34.5		25.8
11.80%
19	30.8		23.1
10.50%
21	27.9		20.9
9.50%
23	25.5		19.1
8.70%
25	23.4		17.6

Gman18342009-04-03 03:32:55

[Gman1834]

 

Ok then ' date=' who would use a compact, and why?

[/quote']

 

I think Big Ben....

 

leave the coat just run.

 

[Trubie]

Gman

It seems then that the 53/39 with a 11/23 or 12/23 is a better option.

 

I have an Ultegra 11/23 which I use for racing, and an Ultegra 12/23 which I use for training.

 

I changed from a 12/25, to the 11/23 just before Argus, and had a breeze up Smits, Chapmans & Suikerbossie, so it seems to be ok then?

 

 

[NotSoBigBen]

Ok then ' date=' who would use a compact, and why?

[/quote']

I think Big Ben....

leave the coat just run.

 

Yoh

[Daantjiedonner]

With compact you climb better because you can use a cluster with closer ratios 11/23. If you dont have a compact and you are between steep hills you must use a cluster  with BIG gears. When you change gears you have bigger differences between the gears.Legs say ouch!!

With compact you sacrifice top speed

Compact is nice. when you are not so strong on hills.

[NotSoBigBen]

Bunch of  !!!!!!!

[Johan Bornman]

Gear chart using KPH @ 90 RPM
For 700 X 20 / 20-622 tire with 175 mm cranks
With 10-speed 12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21-23-25 Cassette
	52	33.30%	39
12	48.8		36.6
8.30%
13	45.1		33.8
7.70%
14	41.8		31.4
7.10%
15	39		29.3
6.70%
16	36.6		27.5
6.30%
17	34.5		25.8
11.80%
19	30.8		23.1
10.50%
21	27.9		20.9
9.50%
23	25.5		19.1
8.70%
25	23.4		17.6

 

I think your chart goes a long way to explain gear ratios. However, the crank length is irrelevant and will certainly confuse anyone who are not goot with arifmetiek.

 

 

[Matchstix]

I Really enjoy my compact cranks. I can climb les effort and spin more up some of the hills and don't need to power as much with lower cadence.

I have found if i ride my roadbike for a while i do feel a lot "weaker" on the MTB. Where sometimes the light gear is not enough.