Compact cassette?

kimmydct

I got a Felt B16 this year which is a 52/36T 11-28. I'm doing some hillier races next year (Quassy Half and Timberman, plus IMLP camp, then IMLP in 2015). I'm pretty sure a compact would be a good idea, esp since I struggle with hills, right? If so, when should I make the switch? As soon as a start riding outside again, or closer to race day? And would I basically just keep the compact through IMLP in 2015?

Thanks!

Joe Matchette

Kim,
If I were you, I would get the compact cranks as soon as possible.
As to the time --- I ride my compact cranks year-round. The only time I am not is when I am on my 'rain bike' b/c it has standard cranks.

robin sarner

I assume you mean compact crank. Cassette is the thing in the back.

Your chainrings are already almost compact as they are (50/34).

So another option might be a rear derauilleur that can handle a 11-32 cassette.

tim cronk

Immediately if not sooner.... All kidding aside I run the 50/34 with 11/28 everyday and every race and its fine from IMMT/Quassy to IMTX/IMFL ..... The only time I wish I had more gears is on the flats with a very strong tail wind where I wanna be pedaling in the mid 30mph range..... downhills is plenty of gearing to get going to coasting speeds....

Gordon Cherwoniak

Kim,

I'd switch for sure as soon as I was outside.  You will probably keep the compact for a long time and just switch the rear cassette for flatter courses.

Gordon

robin sarner

I'll reiterate.    folks are not acknowledging that your small chainring (36) is already almost 34.     Versus the typical 39.        

Keith Wick

As Robin stated, you don't have a standard right now, but what many bike companies are doing is putting on sub-compact cranks. I just bought a Specialized Venge with one of these and love it for my road bike, but haven't tried it on the tribike. It did make me think about what would be optimal. My current observations when comparing both bikes on the trainer and on a 6 minute 7-10% hill climb are that the compact does give a greater range of gears that would be useful if I was doing a hilly race and I would no doubt go with the compact and a 12-27 cassette over the subcompact. If the race was rolling, but mainly flat (or if I was strong as crap) I would definitely consider the subcompact.

If I were you, I'd wait until you did some riding outside in the hills during the month of April. Ideally, there is nothing to get used to if you keep the crank arms the same length. The only get used to feeling is knowing that you'll spend the majority of your time in the big ring with the compact, while you might be at the end of the small chain ring in some situations with the sub-compact.

MattAaronson

Listen to Robin please. You're talking about a 2T difference in the small ring. Honestly Kim, if you train consistently through the OS then a 36/28 ought to be more than enough for the worst hills Quassy will throw at you...

Joe Matchette

sorry I missed the fact that you are already essentially there. I don't have the link on my phone, but the gearing calculators will show the absolute difference. as robin says, it won't be much

Joe Matchette

Here is the graphic presentation of the differences:

I chose 70 rpm as a representative cadence for a climb where you are concentrating on holding your Target Watts.  The difference between your crank of 36T and a compact of 34T is very, very minimal.  At 70 RPM your speed in granny-gear for both is:

• 7.04mph vs. 6.65mph

If you had a 52/39 crank, then the difference is more pronounced -- ~1mph which is quite a bit, actually.

http://public.tableausoftware.com/v...eGearing#1

 

GMAN 19030

A 52/36 is a compact by the 110 bcd definition.