Recommend compact gear ratio for new groupset

mellow velo

I'm about to buy a new Groupset for new bike but faced with a myriad of option when selecting the compact chainset (50-34t or 53-39t) and cassette (11-23, 11-25 ,11-26, 11-28, 11-32, 11-36). Can anyone suggest a good combo for all round multi purpose use?

I have average ability and not fast at all and would definitely like gears in reserve for getting up big hills if i ever need them. I have been used to a triple chainset on old bike so had a good range and would like similar in a compact especially the low gears (some of the higher range i very rarely ever used).

rc856

What type of riding do you do mate?

I previously had a 53/39 - 12/29 but moved to a 50/34 on my better bike...still kept the alpine cassette.
I'm just a non racing club rider. Got the compact to help my knees as I get older.

I don't really notice if I've got a 14/15/17 instead of a 14/15/16. Maybe I would if I was racing.

I think the 50/34 would be good if you've been used to a triple unless you're really going to miss the top end speed with the 53?
My cassette choice is always made on what my smallest climbing sprocket is! These days..always a 29!!

flasher

50-34 and 11-28 should get you round anything the UK can throw at you!

prawny

Where abouts in Staffs are you?

I used to run 50/36 and 12-25 9sp and never really had any issues. On my new bike I've got 50/34 and 12-28 and to be honest it feels hardly any different. The only major thing is the jump when shifting from the 50 to the 34 i have to jump a few cogs at the back, I prefer the smaller jump of the 36.

I think the jumps are slightly better spaced on the 10 speed than the 9 don't know for definate, might just be because I spend less time on the bike these days.

springtide9

How about....

F : 50-34t
R: 12-26

Most people can't push 50/11 for a long period of time, so 50/11 only becomes useful for downhills, where as dropping the 11 in preference for a 12 means you get closer ratios in the middle of the cassette (which I find are used more often)

But it's personal preference.

mellow velo

RC856 wrote:

What type of riding do you do mate?

Just casual riding with a few friends at weekends and few charity type sportives throughout the year.

prawny wrote:

Where abouts in Staffs are you?

Newcastle-under-Lyme. I find the terrain in Staffordshire quite undulating requiring frequent gear changes, whereas if i go to South Cheshire it is pretty much flat, then on the other end of the spectrum is the peak district where i sometimes cycle that has (for me anyway) some quite difficult steep climbs.

Thanks for feedback, has definitely given me some good food for thought. With my triple i never really thought about gear ratios as it has always been able to provide a suitable gear, but because of the limitation of a compact double i thought i better check before i buy and was a bit lost by it all.

Dadmo

I'm in my mid-50s and do most of my riding in the Sussex Downs and around - no long & steep hills, but a few gradients of 15%+. I've been using 50-34 and 12-25, and haven't yet been forced to get off the bike.

PhilPub

I'm also running compact 50/34 with 12-25 on the back and I'm happy this covers everything that the North Downs of Kent can throw at me. I'd maybe consider going down to 28/29 if I was less fit, or lived somewhere that had lots of VERY steep climbs, but otherwise I think this is fine.

Compared to the days of 6-speed blocks (when I were young *cough*) when most roadies were probably pushing 42/24 or similar as the easiest option, I think we've got it pretty cushy these days!

antonyfromoz

I live in Norway (west coast) so most of the riding i do involves some pretty hilly areas. I had a 50/34 and 12-25 on my bike but swapped out the cassette to be a 12-27 to help me climb a bit easier. I really find this helpful on the hills and i haven't found that i am spinning my legs out on the downhills (if the speed is sufficient to be too fast for my legs in top gear then i am more concerned about oncoming traffic and getting a good line through the corners on these narrow windy roads :shock: ). HTH

grandad3

As others have said, go with the 50/34 compact and unless you do a lot of fast down hill go with a min of 12 on the cassette.