Compact gearing

[Mike I]

I'm thinking of switching to compact gears, as doing sportives on 53/39 and 13/25 is getting like hard work.

What combinations do people use and what would you recommend for, say, the Dragon Ride? (I know it's over this year, but a lot of people have done it, including me, so it's probably a good example.)

I don't need advice on what make to go for, although I'll probably get it anyway. Never mind, there hasn't been a fight on this bit of the forum for ages.

[Ian A4size]

I would have thought that most people would have used 50/34 with a 12/25 or 13/26 or 12/27 or a 13/29 pending on your gruppo.

I used a triple chainset as i am a fat knacker, but i did the dragon without using the granny ring.

[Andrew G]

I used a compact for the Dragon and used a 50/34 and 12/25 combo, more than enough. Only used the 25 for sections of the steeper/longer hills and that was just to stay seated and twiddle. Don't really like compacts though (gearing spacing) so normally run standard rings.

Another option is stay with the lovely Record 53/39 and get a spare rear mech and cassette (lower spec for cost if it's an issue) A 13/29 cassette give the same bottom gear as a 34/25 combo so you'd have the same small gear for twiddling up the long/steep bits but the rest of the cassette is basically a 13/26 9 speed.

What gears do you use in TTs? If it's all on the same bike then will the compact take away the gears you want for the TTs, probably need a different cassette (11-21 or 23). A compact doesn't slow Mark McL down though.

[Ivor]

I'd second the option of sticking to 53/39 at the front and putting a few more on the back.
I use a 12-27 on the back for sportives and my commute, and put the 12-25 back on for TT's (although I did run out of gears training this morning so it might be time to move up to 11).

[Dombo]

I use a triple. The granny got used once on the Dragon - second climb of Bwlch just before the summit. It's a useful bailout gear and nice to know it's there. But a compact looks better. I imagine it shall be worn smooth in the etape.

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

50/34 and 12-25 works for me.

Campag, naturally, the ony choice.

Guru P

To the bunker

[Jonathan B]

I currently run a 50/34 with a 11-25 block. I find this gives me plenty of lo gears to get up hills and with the 11 cog I dont spin out coming down the other side.

[huw williams]

50-34 and 12-26 normally - I hate getting to the point where I 'grind' rather than spin on climbs and I've found a 25 usually has me grinding too soon.

I've fitted an 11-28 for the Marmotte though

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

[quote="huw williams"].

I've fitted an 11-28 for the Marmotte though

[quote="mrP(Boonen)VT"][quote="huw williams"].

I've fitted an 11-28 for the Marmotte though

[quote="huw williams"][quote="mrP(Boonen)VT"][quote="huw williams"].

I've fitted an 11-28 for the Marmotte though

[Mike I]

Thanks all. I'll just stick a 44x19 on the Condor and save myself a grand then. If I add it to the £1,500 I'm going to save by not getting some Boras (see SCCU 50 Results), I should be able to get a decent TT bike and get back ahead of the ever-improving Mr Green!

[Sue R]

Not really compact gearing - I have 11-27 10 speed shimano cassette (and ultegra rear long arm rear mech) lovely low gearing for most hills but I do struggle up 20% climbs.
Anyone know if I can get a 10 speed cassette with something like 11-30? And if shimano don't do it, is a campag compatible? They do stitch you up a bit in terms of choice once you have 10 speed stuff.

[Ivor]

Yeah. You'll be able to get one of the sram cassettes with that sort of range. I'll look them up when i get to a computer.

[Robh]

[quote="Sue R"]Not really compact gearing - I have 11-27 10 speed shimano cassette (and ultegra rear long arm rear mech) lovely low gearing for most hills but I do struggle up 20% climbs.
Anyone know if I can get a 10 speed cassette with something like 11-30? And if shimano don't do it, is a campag compatible? They do stitch you up a bit in terms of choice once you have 10 speed stuff.