Sportive Gearing?!

rhionm
rhionm Posts: 22
edited August 2008 in Workshop
Going to do my first sportive this year (Wild Wales) and currently run a 52/39 chainset and 12/25 cassette, and after talking to a few members of the club last night most of them will be running either a compact or a triple.

So, is it possible to buy a 34 inner chainring for an Ultegra chainset? Been looking but can't find anything?

Think I might struggle up some of the hills on my current set up!! :shock:

Comments

  • Doobz
    Doobz Posts: 2,800
    As far as I know you cant buy a 34 chainring for an ultegra double. I had the same gearing as you and had to change to a compact for the Dave Lloyd mega challenge and the Three Counties... I hope you get it sorted and enjoy the ride
    cartoon.jpg
  • rhionm
    rhionm Posts: 22
    Ok thanks for that!

    Second question then is can you use a 9sp compact chainset with a 10sp system??

    Seen a Tiagra Compact for £30sih but it's 9spd?!
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Oh WW is fun.

    Can you get a 26 or 27 sprocketthough ? My DA mech can cope with a 27.

    What date is WW this year ?
  • rhionm
    rhionm Posts: 22
    It's on the 24/08/08 this year!!
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,551
    rhionm wrote:
    Ok thanks for that!

    Second question then is can you use a 9sp compact chainset with a 10sp system??

    Seen a Tiagra Compact for £30sih but it's 9spd?!
    Yes, chainsets are both 9 and 10 speed compatible.
  • unclemalc
    unclemalc Posts: 563
    I did one last spring with a 52/39 and a 12/25 and got caned up some slopes. I have just swapped for a 50/34 (much nicer piece of kit than the 53/39) and that gives me at least 2 extra bottom gears for climbing (I use the term lightly....). The 50/12 will be enough for what I get up to.
    Enjoy. I am doing another one next month - can't wait.
    Spring!
    Singlespeeds in town rule.
  • rhionm
    rhionm Posts: 22
    Thanks for all your tips and replies!

    Think I'm looking forward! :?
  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    A standard chainset uses a Bolt Circle Diameter of eg 130mm or 135mm whereas a compact uses a BCD of 110mm hence you are able to use different rings. if you look at someone like www.sheldonbrown.com you'll find the answers to everything there.
    M.Rushton
  • unclemalc
    unclemalc Posts: 563
    ...and check out the thread on 48/34 chainrings currently active.
    Spring!
    Singlespeeds in town rule.
  • Steve I
    Steve I Posts: 428
    The WWC went up the Bwlch y Groes last year. I managed it in a 30/25 with a triple, even then it was really hard coming so late on in the ride, 30/27 or even lower would have been preferable. Some of my mates had a 34 tooth compact, but mostly with a 29 tooth rear sprocket (campag). You'd have to be exceptional, or a pro, to get round on a 39/25. Then again, there's no great shame in pushing the bike up bits of the route, it's not a race.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Yeah I remember Wilko having to walk a bit of it one year - so if the End to End record holder (as he was then) is walking - I dont see any shame in that. But road shoes are a bit of a git to walk up vertical roads in !
  • richa
    richa Posts: 1,632
    rhionm wrote:
    Ok thanks for that!

    Second question then is can you use a 9sp compact chainset with a 10sp system??

    Seen a Tiagra Compact for £30sih but it's 9spd?!
    That is a very good price.

    Shimano Tiagra FC4550 Hollowtech II Compact Chainset 2008 for £41.50

    I think you may also need to replace bottom bracket/cups.
    Rich
  • fizz
    fizz Posts: 483
    Smallest you'll get for a double is a 38T inner. I did the tour of wessex with a 38 x 27 this year and I still had to walk up one of the hills.

    Personally if you can afford it go for the compact you'll thank yourself for it. If your existing Ultergra is Hollowtech II and you buy a Hollowtech II compact. Its just a case of twirling out the black cap on the LHS crank arm un doing the bolts and then it'll all slide out.

    You may have to fiddle with the front mech height / adjustment though. I took my Hollowtech II 105 double off last night. 5 minute job...

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