compact vs 53/39

cyclosteve

hi all i dont do many big rides mid week 40 sun 55. and ive noticed everyone talks about compact groupsets ive got a cr1 pro nice bike but its fitted with a 39/53 27/12 i do climb hills quiet well but noticed poeple the side off me on large chain ring and me on small what are the advantages to change and is it worth spending the cash to upgrade means changeing complete groupset as i am running 9speed ultegra i dont keep up with all the changes i just ride for pleasure any advice would help :?:

Richa1181

Hi Steve,

If I were you I'd probably stick with what you've got if you're climbing OK on it, unless you're going to change the amount of riding you do anyway. Having a compact will help you on the hills because to keep the same speed you'll be spinning a little faster and spinning is more efficient than grinding up a hill in a bigger gear. I used to have a standard double (53/39) but I found my legs were ruined towards the end of long hilly rides while some of my friends were feeling a little fresher, switching to a compact does spare your legs in the long run but unless you're planning on upping the distance or going up steeper hills you'd probably be best saving the money.

If you do want to give it a go though it doesn't have to be expensive. You've already got Ultegra on your bike, all you would need to buy is 36 & 50t chainrings and fit them yourself. Maybe pop a link or two out of your chain and you'll be fine

nmcgann

Richa1181 wrote:

....
If you do want to give it a go though it doesn't have to be expensive. You've already got Ultegra on your bike, all you would need to buy is 36 & 50t chainrings and fit them yourself. Maybe pop a link or two out of your chain and you'll be fine

That won't work. Standard shimano cranks have 130mm bolt circle diameter and the smallest inner ring that will fit is 38T.

cyclosteve

thanks lads i dont intend doing more hills or miles as work wont allow so once again thanks

inseine

I know this is the Internet but a little bit of punctuation would be nice. I can't understand what you're asking :?
That said, compact or standard will only really make a difference at the extreme and won't make you a better or worse climber. Stick with what you've got IMO.

Ron Stuart

nmcgann wrote:

Richa1181 wrote:

....
If you do want to give it a go though it doesn't have to be expensive. You've already got Ultegra on your bike, all you would need to buy is 36 & 50t chainrings and fit them yourself. Maybe pop a link or two out of your chain and you'll be fine

That won't work. Standard shimano cranks have 130mm bolt circle diameter and the smallest inner ring that will fit is 38T.

Quite right your current bike has a chainset of BCD 130mm, all compacts I know run on a BCD of 110mm. This means that changing chain rings will not be enough.
You would need a new chainset, chain, and bottom bracket renewal would be the order of the day.

nmcgann

inseine wrote:

I know this is the Internet but a little bit of punctuation would be nice. I can't understand what you're asking :?
That said, compact or standard will only really make a difference at the extreme and won't make you a better or worse climber. Stick with what you've got IMO.

That would be my advice too - if it works for you, don't change it.

If the OP was headed out to the alps to do a load of 100mile+ hard rides then it probably would be time to get lower gearing