Chainset options

Eyon

I'm looking to move away from the current triple chainset which came as standard on my bike. But I'm stuck and slightly confused on gearing options.

Currently the bike has a 52/42/30something on it, I've used the granny ring twice, and I've got to the point of removing it pretending to be a weight weenie and believing that weight loss counted for something big.

So currently I run a 52/42 and a 12-26 at the back. I find that the range is a little narrow for my liking. Basically, on a bigger hill I tend to stand and mash in the lower gear at around 70-75rpm cadence, and I will get up, not yet had a hill defeat me like this. On the other end of the scale at the "ideal" cadence of 90rpm, in highest gear I will be at 25mph, and when doing a downhill sprint at 40mph+ my legs are going insane (my Cateye V3 bugged a bit so cant tell how fast I was pedaling, certainly not 199rpm!).

I'm a little worried however by going for a compact 50/34 compact, although I will be happier on my climbs I will really struggle on higher speed descents?

So do I go for a 53/39, its still easier to get up the hills than my current bodged chainset, but I get a bit more sensible pedaling on the descents?

Or if I go with a compact, can I change my rear cluster to suit the gearing?

Sorry for long winded post, I'm incredibly confused here! I do not live in crazy places like the lakes so our hills are 10-12% max and not too tall, I dont require tiny gears

markos1963

In your area I'd run a 53/39 or a 52/38 double, no need for a compact. Keep the cassette until it wears out and then if you are still struggling on hills fit a 12/27

huuregeil

Best thing IMO would be to keep the triple and get a 12-21 cassette. That's going to be the closest ratio setup you'll find, without compromising both the bottom and top gears (e.g. 30/21 is the same as 39/27). If you need a higher gear, then there's either a 11 cog or a 53 ring to fit. The beauty of a 30 chainring is that you can fit a really close ratio cassette - I think it would be silly to ditch it. If weightweenie matters are concerning you, do bear in mind that a 12-21 casssette is quite a weight saving over a e.g. 12-27.

huuregeil

PS If you're spinning out on 52/12 in Cambridgeshire, maybe some cadence work is required? ;-)

Eyon

Downhill, yes. I actually live south of cambirdge, and although we dont have big hills there are the odd 100 foot+ decents. Yes, its not wales or the lakes or the south downs, but its not actually flat like Norfolk flat!

Cadence, my average on flat and level is between 90-100, dropping in climbs as I tend to mash than spin up them, of course downhill it increases a lot