Replacing Compact Chainset with 53/39 Chainset

relanium
relanium Posts: 487
edited May 2010 in Workshop
If I was to replace my compact chainset with a 53/39 chainset would I need to move my front mech up? At the moment the front mech is a Band-On or could I leave it how it's positioned now on the frame.

Thanks.

Comments

  • andy162
    andy162 Posts: 634
    It'll need lifting up a bit.
  • relanium
    relanium Posts: 487
    Damn I thought someone would say that :(
    I guess Band-On front mechs scratch the frame where it's been placed.
  • spanielsson
    spanielsson Posts: 776
    Sometimes the band will have marked the paint, but for how far you move the band above where it was (5mm max?!) you won't/shouldn't notice the marking.

    The clamping bolt doesn't need to be fastened to anymore than 5nm max (just pinched tight), bear this in mind when you re-tighten.
  • bexley5200
    bexley5200 Posts: 692
    52x39 much better than a compact .
    going downhill slowly
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    bexley5200 wrote:
    52x39 much better than a compact .
    For what? It all depends on what type of rider you are and where you ride. I race on 52/38 or 50/34 depending on terrain and do all my general riding on 50/34 compact or 42/17 fixed. They are all good in the right place.
    My Fleet.
  • sheffsimon
    sheffsimon Posts: 1,282
    John.T wrote:
    bexley5200 wrote:
    52x39 much better than a compact .
    For what? It all depends on what type of rider you are and where you ride. I race on 52/38 or 50/34 depending on terrain and do all my general riding on 50/34 compact or 42/17 fixed. They are all good in the right place.

    For real men. Grrr.

    :wink:

    42-52 with 12-21 straight thru block even better. :twisted:
  • thel33ter
    thel33ter Posts: 2,684
    SheffSimon wrote:
    For real men. Grrr.

    :wink:

    42-52 with 12-21 straight thru block even better. :twisted:

    52-46 with 11-17
    GRRRRRRR Even more :twisted:
    And now you know, and knowing is half the battle
    05 Spesh Enduro Expert
    05 Trek 1000 Custom build
    Speedily Singular Thingy
  • relanium
    relanium Posts: 487
    You guys must live where it's flat :)
    42-52 with 12-21..... I'd be pushing my bike up hills :D
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    It's a macho thing. They will grow out of it. :roll:
    My Fleet.
  • thel33ter
    thel33ter Posts: 2,684
    :wink:
    And now you know, and knowing is half the battle
    05 Spesh Enduro Expert
    05 Trek 1000 Custom build
    Speedily Singular Thingy
  • thel33ter
    thel33ter Posts: 2,684
    :wink:
    And now you know, and knowing is half the battle
    05 Spesh Enduro Expert
    05 Trek 1000 Custom build
    Speedily Singular Thingy
  • bill57
    bill57 Posts: 454
    Much better chainline with 52x39
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    bill57 wrote:
    Much better chainline with 52x39

    how..?
  • ADIHEAD
    ADIHEAD Posts: 575
    Cut all the willy waving - you've just gotta ride what suites you! One guy I know rides a 53/39, 12/21 and never touches bottom gear even on 1/4 climbs! He's 10 stone and got legs bigger than his torso! Another guy I know rides 50/34 14/27 and is just as fast, just different. You're either a spinner, a cranker or somewhere in between. Buy what suites you depending on where you ride and your style. Personally I prefer a compact with an 11T bottom on the cassette, which apart from an extra gap on the cassette, gives me a good compromise!
  • bill57
    bill57 Posts: 454
    softlad wrote:
    bill57 wrote:
    Much better chainline with 52x39

    how..?

    Most people ride a gear of about 65-75 inches on the flat. 52x39 achieves this with the chain near the middle of the cassette, but 50x34 puts it more at the extreme ends of the cassette, whether you use 50 or 34 to achieve it.
  • satanas
    satanas Posts: 1,303
    ^ True, but it achieves this by not having as many low gears, which is fine if you live somewhere flat, are very fit, or can't/don't spin. Horses for courses I'm afraid.

    Me, I like to spin, and can only get on with 53x39 if there aren't any long or steep climbs; I'm currently using one of the Ultegra "junior" cassettes to make things more bearable. If I have to do long climbs then I ride another bike with a triple crankset (which also allows flat road gears with a straight-ish chain), or switch to 50x34, but doing the latter is a pain.
  • PK1
    PK1 Posts: 193
    will the chain still fit, that is between a 52 / 39 and 50 /34 ?
  • bexley5200
    bexley5200 Posts: 692
    i think i will soon be on 50x39 in an ideal world
    going downhill slowly

Categories