Have I made a mistake?

lochindaal

Newb here so thanks for any help.

I have started training to do the Etape in 2009. I have been using a Decathlon 7.1 road bike (the cheapest thing going) until the rear gears snapped off last week. I decided to go for an upgrade and had settled on the Specialized Allez Double 2008. At the last minute I changed to an Allez Sport 2007. Since making the payment (I haven't got delivery yet) I realised even though the components are all upgraded the chain set on the 2007 isn't a compact like the 2008.

The specs I have found show the 2008 has front 50x34 and rear 11-28.
The 2007 has front 52x39 and rear 12-25.

Would I be better off having stuck with the 2008?

Nuggs

For the Etape :shock: , you may be better off with a compact. It's not a huge cost to change the chainring closer to the event though.

IIRC, the groupset of the 2007 is higher than the 2008 (105 vs Tiagra?), so you may have made the best choice moneywise.

Mark Alexander

I'm running 39x53 on my race bike with 25 at the back. I'm doing La Marmotte this year and closer to the time i'm going to adjust the ratio at the back. I haven't decided what to change it to yet.

Bronzie

Mark, I'm doing the Marmotte also this year - think I'm going to get a compact chainset and go with 34x27 bottom gear. I'm sure whatever bottom gear I have, it'll feel too big on the Alpe!

Mettan

lochindaal wrote:

Newb here so thanks for any help.

I have started training to do the Etape in 2009. I have been using a Decathlon 7.1 road bike (the cheapest thing going) until the rear gears snapped off last week. I decided to go for an upgrade and had settled on the Specialized Allez Double 2008. At the last minute I changed to an Allez Sport 2007. Since making the payment (I haven't got delivery yet) I realised even though the components are all upgraded the chain set on the 2007 isn't a compact like the 2008.

The specs I have found show the 2008 has front 50x34 and rear 11-28.
The 2007 has front 52x39 and rear 12-25.

Would I be better off having stuck with the 2008?

If need be (and just to give you an idea of some figures) - you can get a 50/34 Shimano Compact for £40 ~, and the coresponding bearing cups for £15 ~. Your LBS will fit them for around £15 ~ - you can then sell your existing 52/39 & bottom bracket on Ebay as a set (probably get £15-25 back on Ebay). So it is reasonably economical. A compact's well worth it IMHO.

edeverett

I think you can get TA chainrings in the smaller sizes - so no need for new cranks. (but check this with someone who knows more than me...)


http://www.dotbike.com/ProductsP4990.aspx?TRACK=DDI

redddraggon

edeverett wrote:

I think you can get TA chainrings in the smaller sizes - so no need for new cranks. (but check this with someone who knows more than me...)


http://www.dotbike.com/ProductsP4990.aspx?TRACK=DDI

Nope. Compacts are 110BCD, Shimano Doubles are 130BCD, so the smallest ring you can fit on a 130BCD is a 38, so not much of an improvement from 39.