Compact Cranks?

vl1016 said:

Anyone using compact cranks? What do you think about them if so? Any problems with shifting or front deraillers? Were they worth it? I'm in a very hilly area and have a 39/52 and 13-27 in the back. I can do all the hills around here with that combo, but sometimes would like a little extra help.
Thanks

lots already here about compact cranks; do a search. but I love mine, and have since I installed them in december. my 34/23 is one gear-inch bigger than your 39/27. my 34/25 is 2 gear-inches smaller. a 34/27 would be 5 gear-inches smaller than what you have now. I spend a lot of time in the big ring, even on good sized rollers. I'm more of a spinner than a power rider, so it works well for me. the 50/15 is one gear-inch bigger than the 53/16 that everyone raves about (a good 25 mph gear). the 50/12 is 2 g-i bigger than a 53/13, and lets face it...not many really need a 53/12 unless they're going down a mountain.

I converted from a triple to a 52-36 about two months ago. I did it because of a HOT deal and I had only used the granny ring maybe five times in the past two years anyway. There are a lot of 6 to 8% and a few 10% grades around here and I find I can ride most of them on the 12-17, corn cob portion of my 12-23 cassette. The perfect gear to maintain my cadence always seems to be there.

I haven't missed the granny ring much, but I have missed the 42 tooth cruising ring. I used to ride solo on it and use the big ring with a group. I now spend almost all of my time on the big ring since the 36 tooth ring is just to small for anything but steep hills. Doing so is making me a stronger rider though.

Although it will probably still work, be aware that a 50-34 or a 52-36 paired with a 12-27 exceeds the 29 tooth, Shimano CYA, stated capacity of a double rear derailleur. My 52-36 also shifts much better with a triple front derailleur. I plan on building up a touring/cross bike this winter with a 50-34, buying a 48 tooth ring for it, and then moving the 50 over to the road ride. This would leave a 50-36 paired with a 12-23/25 for racing and a 48-34 paired with a 12-25/27 for touring.

cachehiker said:

I converted from a triple to a 52-36 about two months ago. I did it because of a HOT deal and I had only used the granny ring maybe five times in the past two years anyway. There are a lot of 6 to 8% and a few 10% grades around here and I find I can ride most of them on the 12-17, corn cob portion of my 12-23 cassette. The perfect gear to maintain my cadence always seems to be there.

I haven't missed the granny ring much, but I have missed the 42 tooth cruising ring. I used to ride solo on it and use the big ring with a group. I now spend almost all of my time on the big ring since the 36 tooth ring is just to small for anything but steep hills. Doing so is making me a stronger rider though.

Although it will probably still work, be aware that a 50-34 or a 52-36 paired with a 12-27 exceeds the 29 tooth, Shimano CYA, stated capacity of a double rear derailleur. My 52-36 also shifts much better with a triple front derailleur. I plan on building up a touring/cross bike this winter with a 50-34, buying a 48 tooth ring for it, and then moving the 50 over to the road ride. This would leave a 50-36 paired with a 12-23/25 for racing and a 48-34 paired with a 12-25/27 for touring.

Two more fans of compact cranks....but you haven't mentioned what compact you have. I'm interested in converting but I can only find one compact cracnk on the market and I have a nice, comfy steel Olmo with a Mirage grouppo and I'm not sure a 300 euro FSA carbon chainset is really in keeping with my budget or my needs. Any idea if Shimano or Campagnolo are planning on releasing on of their own? Are there any budget carbon cranks out there?
Cheers, Tonto 🙂

The newest Bicycling Magazine had a review of the new Campy compact cranks, chain rings and front delraileur. I can't remember the two front gears, but I think it it was 36 & 50. It had good reviews but suggested that you get the proper deraileur or there would be shifing probems on the front chain ring.

Tonto said:

....but you haven't mentioned what compact you have.

FSA makes at least two: the Energy and the Carbon whatever they call it. The Energy is an Ultegra-ish alternative while the Carbon is pricey.

Ritchey makes one: An Octalink version similar in pricing to the FSA Energy. There is also an inexpensive version available at http://www.nashbar.com

You can always scour eBay for RX100 series double for even cheaper or pull the granny ring from a MTB 100/74 too.

I bought an FSA Carbon Pro the LBS was sick of having around. I mentioned they gave me a HOT deal as most people shopping for compact doubles were looking at 50-34's. I don't need the 34 but spin too fast to really make use of a 53.

Thanks for the info!
I'll be in the US next month so I could order from Nashbar and pick it up while I'm over there. Their compact crank looks like good value. It's lighter than my Mirage 53/39. In general, what kind of quality is their own-brand stuff?

This looks like a good deal, Ultegra double crank weighs 643g, Nashbar's compact is 680g.

Nashbar Compact Double Road Crank

#NS-CCS

Experience the power of lower gears without the expense of converting to a triple set-up. With a 34 inner ring you get a 13% lower low gear than a standard 39t set-up. The 50t large ring allows you to take advantage of your infrequently used 12 and 13 cog without bogging down, while decreasing the gap between gears for getting the cadence just right. Works with standard double road front derailleurs. Forged 6061 T6 aluminum arms and a low 160mm Q-factor. 680g 50tx110mm is 7075 T6 alloy with CNC relief, 34tx110mm 2014 alloy inner ring 8/9s compatible. Use 68x108mm ISIS BB. Specify Size 170mm, 172.5mm, 175mm