compact cassette

Steveen

Dumb question, what is the difference between this and a "normal" cassette?

nicklouse

Steveen wrote:

Dumb question, what is the difference between this and a "normal" cassette?

what is a "normal" cassette to you?

MegaCycle

Allow me to apologise on behalf of my somewhat unhelpful colleagues... ;-)

I think you mean a compact chainset (the rings attached to the cranks). On a road bike you basically have three options

standard chainset (generally something like a 53 and a 39 tooth cog)

compact chainset (generally something like a 50 and a 34)

triple chainset (something like a 53 40 and 30)

Going down the list, they give you more lower gears to make hills easier to manage. Professional cyclists use a standard in road racing as they need the speed.

Steveen

Thanks Mega, I was beginning to think people were making fun of me!

You learn by asking though.

nicklouse

so did you mean crank/chain set?

or are you really asking about the cassette?

because there are cassettes wide and close ratios.