Compact Cranks

[Red Zone]

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a Compact Crankset?

 

Who rides on them, whats the difference between them and conventional cranks?

[DUCK]

Gearing..

 

50 tooth in front. Makes your gear selection better.. I think..

[SwissVan]

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a Compact Crankset?

 

Who rides on them' date=' whats the difference between them and conventional cranks?

[/quote']

 

Me !

Best road bike improvement - in these parts anyway...

 

Difference = smaller size chain rings (50/34 for example)

Check out FSA web site

http://www.fullspeedahead.com/fly.aspx?layout=tech&cid=66

 

And compare their roll out chart

>click on gear ratio engine

http://www.fullspeedahead.com/fly.aspx?layout=downloads&taxid=216

 

Ads:

Gives BETTER gear options for long and steep climbs, while still offering normal gearing for flat terrain.

Some weight saving due to smaller chain rings, smaller rear cluster and shorter chain length? if your a WW...

 

Disads:

- you can run out of gears on fast downhills

- sometimes can have front derailer issues (chain rub, difficulty changing from small to big chain ring).

- some ratios are very close and you have to make 2 or more changes to feel a difference.

 

 

 

 

 

[Red Zone]

Dont like the idea of spinning out on downhills,

would you have a grear smaller than an 11 on the rear cluster?

[javadude]

Running out of gears isn't as bad as you'd think. A 50 / 11 is a bigger gear than a 53 / 12. Unless you really need a 53 / 11, the compact crank is perfect. A 12 / 25 cassette with a compact crank gives you a really wide selection of gears.

[SwissVan]

 

I have a 50 / 11 and from memory start to spin out at about +55 kmh, all depends on what cadence you are comfortable with.

 

In reality how often do you need to pedal at this speed?

 

 

[Marius]

I htought it's only Girls that use Campact Cranksets!??! Lilo is thinking of going Compact, I just like to know if the other girls on this board are using?

[Lilo]

Ja, whats the advantages? Will it be worth my money?

[SwissVan]

I htought it's only Girls that use Campact Cranksets!??! Lilo is thinking of going Compact' date=' I just like to know if the other girls on this board are using?[/quote']

 

Thats it no more chocolate for you

 

HE WHO SPINS WINS ....

 

 

[Red Zone]

Only girls? my god what have I said.

 

what is the biggest chainring available, one so large that if you get a puncture it will carve up the tar.

[Gumpole]

I love my compact cranks - less embarrassing than a triple!

 

If you are a A group, top vet, or pro then you will miss the 53-11. All other cyclists can bury their pride and get a compact!