Compact Chainset?

steerpike

Can someone explain the difference between compact chainset a 2 ring chainset and a 3 ring chainset? I understand that a 3 ring might make hill climbing easier for obvious reasons but what exactly does a compact do?

redddraggon

http://sheldonbrown.com/glossary.html

Sheldon Brown should answer all your questions...

steerpike

that looks a really useful site - thanks. Based on what he says about Compact "Cranks", I believe the bike I am buying has a 50 tooth chainring and a 36 tooth chainring - it is listed as having "Truative Elita 2.1Compact 30/36T").

I am assuming it is largely down to personal preference. But in general, will this chainset be any more suited to any specific type of cycling? (i.e sprinting, hills, long distance etc...)

steerpike

sorry - make that 50/36T !!!

gkerr4

not really (that I can think of) - lots of people like the 50/36 over the more common 50/34 as the jump between chainsrings isn't as great. (or 48/34 for same reasons)

You don't have a particularly low gear though - personally I'd prefer a 34 for climbing and even then coupled to a decent ratio cassette like a 12-27 or something

k-dog

I've had a compact for about a week and I love it.

The 50 (coupled with 11 on the back) is big enough for all but big downhills - and pedalling on those is a bit of a waste of effort. The 34 with a 25 on the back copes with the decent climbs around here - and I'm by no means the best climber in the world.

Sure, there's a bit of a jump between the 2 rings but with a bit of foresight that can be minimised - by changing front and rear at the same time.

I have a full 105 compact groupset and it works brilliantly - really crisp shifting and there is a trim position on both the 50 and 34 positions so you can actually use all 20 gears without the chain rubbing.

fuzzynavel

steerpike wrote:

Can someone explain the difference between compact chainset a 2 ring chainset and a 3 ring chainset? I understand that a 3 ring might make hill climbing easier for obvious reasons but what exactly does a compact do?

Have a look at the following thread. I had the same sort of question last week.

http://www.bikeradar.com/beginners/foru ... highlight=