Roadies: If you use a "compact" crankset, I have some questions for you

[Candace66]

I like to climb but I'm not athletic enough to stomp up to, say, Guardsman Pass on standard double gearing. I'm currently riding a triple, but I've been thinking about a new bike. :naughty:

Not surprisingly, when I describe the riding I do, I'm likely to be shown a bike with compact gearing. For example, the Specialized Ruby Apex Compact, with 50/34 on the front and an 11-32 cassette. Crunching the numbers shows that 34x32 is hair lower than my current 30x27 low gear. So I'm not losing anything there. On the other end, the highest gear is a hair higher than what I have right now (50x11 vs. 50x12).

Finally, my main question: If you ride a compact with a similar size difference between the chainrings, how reliable is the shifting? Seems like a mighty big step, but I'm guessing the teeth and chains have been designed to help make it work.

Any other thoughts on the compact set-up? Any thoughts in particular on the Apex's set-up?

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/road/ruby/rubyapexcompact#features

[DOSS]

I have had no problems shifting with my compact setup at all (needs a bit more care moving up but not much), and don't really miss granny all that much until I get on something like a 20% grade. I would suggest getting a second standard crank set-up while you are at it so that those times when you are out on the flats you still have the speed you want.

[jamesdak]

Well I have owned all three setups and to be honest if the FD is adjusted well I really can't say that any particular system works better than the other. I have been running a 50/34 compact on my main bike since getting it in 2010. As long as you ease off the pedals when you shift I think you will find a compact to work just fine for you. And, I run a 12-27T cassette so that 32T gear should get you up anything. :2thumbs:

But don't discount other factors in terms of climbing like the frame geometry and fit. I just recently picked up a second road bike outfitted with a standard 53/39 double and 11-25T cassette. Set the fit up to pretty much mirror my first bike but for some reason this new bike seems to climb much easier. Even stranger because it is heavier. But something is allowing me to incorporate the muscles better or at least get the power down.

So maybe when you test ride try and find a hill and see how the bike feels under you before buying.

[mxerhale]

I've had a compact setup for about a year and a half (and came off of a triple) and don't miss the granny gear. Most normal hills I just stay on the 50 ring and use the 27 when things get tough. Shifting is not as slick as a triple but just like Jamesdak said just back off the pedals slightly and it goes pretty easily.

[Candace66]

Set the fit up to pretty much mirror my first bike but for some reason this new bike seems to climb much easier. Even stranger because it is heavier. But something is allowing me to incorporate the muscles better or at least get the power down.


Maybe the frame is stiffer?

I wonder if they'd let me test ride it on Guardsman Pass or Powder Mt Road? :haha: (I made it up the latter on my current bike, but it was a grunt!)

[Candace66]

I've had a compact setup for about a year and a half (and came off of a triple) and don't miss the granny gear. Most normal hills I just stay on the 50 ring and use the 27 when things get tough. Shifting is not as slick as a triple but just like Jamesdak said just back off the pedals slightly and it goes pretty easily.

You are way better than me! :stud: I make liberal use of the small chainring on things like Big/Little Cottonwood or the Alpine Loop Rd, etc. I can't imagine making it up them without it.

[jamesdak]

Maybe the frame is stiffer?

I wonder if they'd let me test ride it on Guardsman Pass or Powder Mt Road? :haha: (I made it up the latter on my current bike, but it was a grunt!)

And you say you are not fit! :hail2thechief::hail2thechief: I just FAILED yesterday going up Powder MT on my standard double bike. Made it four miles up and my knees where calling me an idiot so I turned around. Now it's a matter of pride though, gotta go back up on the compact double or it will be bugging me forever. Especially since that dang mountain is the view from the front of my house, it will always be taunting me. :wink:


I think you may be right about it being a stiffer frame although the 2011 Trek Madone 5.9 is a pretty beefy looking frame. Going to do the same 100 mile ride I did last weekend on the Scott CR1 with the Trek and see how things feel. That ride was climbing all the way up Monte Cristo then coming down and going up Trappers Loop. Then I returned to the valley and did about another 25 miles to get to 100.

You know I wouldn't hesitate to ask to test a bike for a day and take it for a long climb. If you are looking to spend serious money on a bike you should get to really try it out. All they can do is say no and with all the shops around someone is bound to say yes.

[mxerhale]

You are way better than me! :stud: I make liberal use of the small chainring on things like Big/Little Cottonwood or the Alpine Loop Rd, etc. I can't imagine making it up them without it.

I've never ridden those roads so I can't compare but I did say most NORMAL hills! I do more big mountain bike rides and use my roadie during the week to get quick rides in wherever I can fit them.

[Candace66]

And you say you are not fit! :hail2thechief::hail2thechief: I just FAILED yesterday going up Powder MT on my standard double bike. Made it four miles up and my knees where calling me an idiot so I turned around. Now it's a matter of pride though, gotta go back up on the compact double or it will be bugging me forever. Especially since that dang mountain is the view from the front of my house, it will always be taunting me. :wink:


LOL, I darn near quit on that climb, and never would have made it without my granny gear! My knees were not happy either. On the steepest parts, I think I was only pedalling about 30-40 RPM. In fact, this experience got me thinking about ways to modify my bike to have even lower gears (more on that later!)...

I drove up Powder Mt. one day not long after I moved out here. It was a snowy day and I couldn't think of much else to do, so I was driving around the area checking things out. I immediately thought it would be a fun challenge to ride up it. Took me awhile to finally get around to trying it, and I'm not sure it was super fun but it was definitely a challenge!

[jamesdak]

Just be careful on that road. Seems like it kills someone at least once or twice a year due to the steepness. Brakes fail, etc. Even killed a roadie last year that went off the road around 40+ mph. I am with you on the challenge part. I have been avoiding that road for years but now I think after LOTOJA it will be a once a week training ride.

You know there is a race up the road 1 September if you are interested. It may be my goal next year as the top folks do in well under an hour.:hail2thechief:

[Candace66]

The descent ain't the best one I've ever been on! A straight road at that grade would be a blast, but there's no letting it rip on Powder Mt. On the other hand, while visiting an unnamed local bike shop, they told me about someone who hit 70+ coming down that thing. Reckless, to say the least!

I'm chuckling at the idea of "racing" up that thing! :haha: I was happy just to make it to the top! And I did stop a few times (darn hard to get going again on that grade!) Maybe I could aim for the Red Lantern prize (for the last one up)!

http://www.teamexcelerator.com/Powder_Mountain_Hillclim.html

Wonder what the course records are?

[jamesdak]

If I remember correctly, the winner last year came in at 40+ minutes. Insane:crazy:!