Compact... What does it mean?

paulbox

Sorry, I'm sure this is a stupid question, I've tried searching and not come up with anything useful...

Looking for my first road bike at the moment and I have no idea what it means when a bike is referred to as 'Compact'.

Thanks in advance for your help.

pitchshifter

It refers to the chainset.

Compact 50/34 teeth

Double 53/39 teeth

danowat

Chainset as above, or frame can be "compact".

paulbox

Cheers guys, I'm thinking that they are refering to the frame in this instance:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bianchi/via-nirone-7-xenon-compact-2011-road-bike-ec025814#answers

What does that mean?

I'm 6'4" so thinking I will probably need either a 59cm or 61cm frame, what's compact about that :?:

topdude

I think that is a semi-compact frame (top tube slopes a little) with a compact 34/50 chainset

sonny73

Going by the name it's referring to the chainset for sure, as it refers to compact after the word Xenon which is the Campagnolo groupset on the bike (even though it looks like an FSA Omega chainset).
That aside I have a 58cm Spesh that is a compact frame, where they are referring to the sloping top tube.

sparkins1972

I think this is a compact if I am not mistaken

paulbox

Thanks very much for all the responses, might get me one of those little things, would make it easier to get in the boot...