Ultegra Normal VS SL

Compact is just another gearing option.

Some people who value their knees don't often ride a higher gear than a 50 tooth will provide, so many are opting for a compact double to add the lower gearing.

I recently had a bike built with 105 and opted for the 50/34 compact with an 11-28 cassette. Based on my needs, this should be great for me.

The down side is the lack of a really high gear for downhill or tailwind situations where you may exceed the 30-35 mph possible with a compact before "spinning out." Personally, if I am going down hill at 30+ mph, I am more likely to feather the brakes than to wish I could go faster, but that is me... If you like blasting down hills, and have no trouble climbing hills in your area with a 39, then the standard double may be a better buy for you.

I don't know the differences for the SL group. But if you like the looks better, and can afford it, then I say it is your call. 🙂 Personally, if I were to spend the money for an Ultegra group, I wouldn't hesitate to pay the extra based on looks alone, if I liked it.

dgregory57 said:

I recently had a bike built with 105 and opted for the 50/34 compact with an 11-28 cassette. Based on my needs, this should be great for me.
.

Where did you get the 11-28 ?? is that custom?

cheers

dgregory57 said:

opted for the 50/34 compact with an 11-28 cassette. Based on my needs, this should be great for me.

The down side is the lack of a really high gear for downhill or tailwind situations where you may exceed the 30-35 mph possible with a compact before "spinning out." .

60 kph /37.3 mph in 50/11 with 23mm rubber is ~105 rpm [53/11 ~99] I reckon unless you still want to be peddling downhill over 70 kph [50 ring ~122, 53 ring ~115] then a 50/11 would probably suit most people 🙂

LeDomestique said:

Where did you get the 11-28 ?? is that custom?

cheers

No, it is a new cassette from SRAM... I got it at the LBS as part of my build.

Here is a link to one on Ebay. I don't know the seller, but this is the cassette.

item.express.ebay.comSporting Goods Cycling Bicycle Parts Accessories SRAM Rival Shimano 10 Speed Cassette 11 28 NEW OG 1Open ↗

On my compact double I needed at least a medium cage 105 RD to run it, I opted for the long cage RD.

Albert 50 said:

60 kph /37.3 mph in 50/11 with 23mm rubber is ~105 rpm [53/11 ~99] I reckon unless you still want to be peddling downhill over 70 kph [50 ring ~122, 53 ring ~115] then a 50/11 would probably suit most people 🙂

I hadn't run the nuimbers, but I knew 50x11 was more than enough gearing on the top end for me. There are those that feel the need for speed, and therefore the 53x11 is what they want.

There is a distinct possibility of me going to a 48 on the big ring (if I find one with the ramps/pins to shift well) since this might keep me in the big ring almost exclusively. But, I won't make that decision until I get some riding time in. 50/34 may be just fine for me.

If you really don't need the higher gearing I'd be looking at a cassette using a 12 or 13 small cog rather than going to a 48 tooth chain ring. That way you keep your spacing closer. Notihng worse than being going at a pace perfectly between two gears and hurting either way if you pick to spin to fast in the lower gear or pound too much in the bigger one.