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Post by Chris Mather on Sept 4, 2009 21:01:49 GMT
What do you think??? I've had a triple for the past 5 years but wonder about changing to a compact - my triple was 52-42-32 and 25-11 cassette.... how low will a compact go? i.e. how many gears will I lose when going up steep devon and cornwalls!
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Post by Ian Roberts on Sept 8, 2009 18:44:11 GMT
Got to go for the compact, they are perfect gearing for our short nasty hills. Only down fall is you run out of steam after 32 mph. ;D
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Post by Chris Mather on Sept 8, 2009 20:17:45 GMT
So what do you do when going down the likes of Pork Hill?  Do you just have to freewheel? I can just about hit 50 mph down there - what sort of speed do you get (bear in mind I'm 13 stone too!) |
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Post by williamdebois on Sept 9, 2009 5:31:33 GMT
Getting up to 50 mph doesn't sound like a great reason to keep a triple to me. If you're worries about that, get a fixed gear to ride in the winter, and soon enough you'll be able to spin at 150 rpm and still hold a straight line.
I love my compact chainset, but I do keep a set of bigger rings for when I got back to France to ride around my parents area, as it's so flat.
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Post by Chris Mather on Sept 9, 2009 5:47:47 GMT
When I first bought the bike (my first 'proper' one) I didn't have a clue that gearing would make much difference but since learning a bit more about it all I've realised just how niaive I was, compared to now just being clueless (at least I have a bit better idea of the right questions to be asking now anyway  )... The reference to the 50 mph was simply that I do enjoy blasting down the likes of Pork Hill or down to the start of the Col du Gunnislake so would be rueful to see everyone leaving me for dead! As for fixed gear... come on William... nice try mate!!! ;D |
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Post by Simon Jerwood on Sept 9, 2009 11:55:01 GMT
I had the same dilemma but I believe a Compact chainset has the edge over a triple. It is slightly lighter for starters and less of a problem to set up and maintain. with the right cassette ratio you can almost cover the same spread of gears as with the triple. Besides I am always looking for easier gears to climb hills rather than descend fast.
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Post by Ian Roberts on Sept 9, 2009 21:28:45 GMT
There's only one thing to do on that hill, get head down and kiss your front wheel, hold on tight and pray.  |
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Post by Kim Wiltshire on Sept 9, 2009 22:03:48 GMT
You'd need a very big gear to pedal (meaningfully!) at 50mph. Get a 'fixed' and get dropped on the downhills  |
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Post by rachaeldarby on Sept 9, 2009 22:42:20 GMT
I went from a triple to a compact. Mind you I also went from a hybrid to a road bike! I did have concerns about the difference so borrowed a compact from Certini and then went up Goodameavy which is 20% just to make sure I could. I found it easier, but of course I was also on a much lighter bike too.
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Post by williamdebois on Sept 13, 2009 21:53:04 GMT
By referencing fixed gear, I only meant to point out that training with no option to coast invariably leads to and increase in natural cadence, which in turn will lead to higher and more controlled cadences when riding with gears, making it possible to pedal meaningfully downhill.
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Post by Kim Wiltshire on Sept 14, 2009 7:37:40 GMT
William I'm pulling your leg .
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Post by Steve Hall on Oct 3, 2009 14:39:22 GMT
I've got a compact and have no problem hitting 50mph down Pork Hill, but then again, I am 3 stone overweight so I think that helps! (think Pork Hill could've been named after me!  |
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Post by Mark Harvey on Nov 30, 2009 13:29:17 GMT
If you are still interested, I run 11-23 with 53-42-30 which gives the same range as most compact plus a little extra with the 11x53 combination. I think my big gear is a help on fast flats - certainly helps to stay with (and sometimes pass) the Shred chaps on the long race along the A38 from Yelverton back into Roborough on a Tuesday night!
Not sure if it makes much of a difference on the downhills - still spin out pretty soon.
The tripple does reduce the jump between gears, and since I am trying for a smoother pedaling style with higher rpm, I feel that it helps me to keep spinning. Definitely makes a difference on long rides.
One downside, I find, is that you need to make up your own mind when to drop from middle to small ring. Its no good just shifting when everyone else does on a hill, because most of them are on doubles!
Also, I use a Record front derailleur without indexed stops, so can easily avoid chain rub by trimming when needed. If you are ham-fisted though, it is easy to bugger the chain, as i found on this year's Dartmoor Classic.
Hope this is of use...
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Do you just have to freewheel? I can just about hit 50 mph down there - what sort of speed do you get (bear in mind I'm 13 stone too!)
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