Can the FSA Compact 34/50 be 34/52?

I've been riding the FSA Compact for a while now and I love it. My only problem is I can start to top out on a long time trial. Appaently FSA says to only make the front a 34/50 or 36/52. Does anyone know if you can make this a 34/52 or would that totally screw things up?

BEHOLD:

http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/chainrings/110.html

I found that site earlier but it doesn't say if the compact is really COMPATIBLE with this set of gears. They just list what gears they sell with what bolt hold patterns. I mean you can't seriously expect to put a 33/61 combination on a crankset and expect it to shift smoothly.

Front derailleurs have a maximum tooth difference . For most front double derailleurs, this is 15-16 teeth. 52-34=18 teeth difference. You may get it to work, but I doubt if you will get it to work smoothly.

If you need a higher gear, consider stacking an 11t cog onto your cassette ...

34/52? Sure, you can probably do it with your current front derailleur, but the shifting/etc. will undoubtedly be better if you use a front derailleur which is designed for a ROAD TRIPLE because the trailing edge of the front derailleur cage will then be lower (thus, lessening the chance of the chain dragging on the rear of the derailleur cage in some combinations) ... and, the inner plate will be slightly larger (which will help, slightly, move the chain from the small chainring to the larger one).

Shimano on page 265 of the 2007 catalogue list for TT and Tri 44/54, 55, 56. If you are into TT, why are you still using 'Cafe Strip' gears?

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Cheers,
George.

I agree with gclark. If you are ripping though a 50/11, then you need a lot bigger front chainring.

Wouldn't you top out sooner on a short time trial??

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"All that we see and seem is but a dream, within a dream..."

Oops. I'm so sorry. I forget that the website expects you to know what you want.