standard to compact - should I

imposter2.0

Carbonator wrote:

What has gearing got to do with racing?
I thought it was about going up hills, down hills and the stuff in between (i.e. close ratios).

As you have mentioned racing. Who exactly are you meaning racing?
Other people in an official race, or yourself on Strava or in a TT?
And how do you 'pretend to race'? I think I did it once with a mate for a photo at the finish of a sportive, but I am confused how my gearing had any impact on that lol.

My Wife is new to cycling, has a 52/36 with 12/25 and goes up steep hills that guys with lower gears are walking up. What should she do then? Get a 50/34 and a massive cr4p ratio cassette, or enter a race :roll:

I think you're being needlessly obtuse. The definition of racing is pretty straightforward, so there's no need to clarify it, I would have thought. It's quite possible that in a race situation you may need something bigger than a 50t given that you could be riding at up to 40mph in a bunch, or in a sprint.

ugo.santalucia

I had standard, I had compact and now I am running a cyclocross 46/36... I think it's the best combination for non racers... you will probably still hardly use the 11 T sprocket and you can climb up to 4-5% in the big ring without chain crossing... the drop is only 10 teeth, so not as dramatic as a compact... I really like it!
The CX 70 is even Ultegra level, I have the cheaper CX 50, which is still awesome

Anonymous

Imposter wrote:

Carbonator wrote:

What has gearing got to do with racing?
I thought it was about going up hills, down hills and the stuff in between (i.e. close ratios).

As you have mentioned racing. Who exactly are you meaning racing?
Other people in an official race, or yourself on Strava or in a TT?
And how do you 'pretend to race'? I think I did it once with a mate for a photo at the finish of a sportive, but I am confused how my gearing had any impact on that lol.

My Wife is new to cycling, has a 52/36 with 12/25 and goes up steep hills that guys with lower gears are walking up. What should she do then? Get a 50/34 and a massive cr4p ratio cassette, or enter a race :roll:

I think you're being needlessly obtuse. The definition of racing is pretty straightforward, so there's no need to clarify it, I would have thought. It's quite possible that in a race situation you may need something bigger than a 50t given that you could be riding at up to 40mph in a bunch, or in a sprint.

I am still confused as to what your/'the' definition is from what you wrote though.
Yours still seems to mean being in an officially sanctioned race, but mine is simply getting from A to B quicker than someone else, or even yourself.

You still need gearing based solely on your efforts don't you?
What did people do before compact compacts? Were only racers allowed to buy road (or 'racing' as they were then called) bikes that were not triples?

t4tomo

Unles your wife is mega strong then I'd be very tempted to chage it to 50-34 up front. the 11-32 will be ideal for the EdT - you can't have a low enough gear for when yopu hit a long hill at the end of a long day. She can always get a 12-28 or 12-25 cassettte for non EdT days if she is finding the jumps at the top of cassette a pain..

how much crap is being spouted on this thread btw by people who dont even appear to read the OP.

imposter2.0

Carbonator wrote:

I am still confused as to what your/'the' definition is from what you wrote though.
Yours still seems to mean being in an officially sanctioned race, but mine is simply getting from A to B quicker than someone else, or even yourself.

You still need gearing based solely on your efforts don't you?
What did people do before compact compacts? Were only racers allowed to buy road (or 'racing' as they were then called) bikes that were not triples?

Not sure what your problem is, tbh. Racing in the context of this discussion means competition - look it up if you're not clear. If you're looking for an argument, go elsewhere.

Anonymous

Imposter wrote:

Carbonator wrote:

I am still confused as to what your/'the' definition is from what you wrote though.
Yours still seems to mean being in an officially sanctioned race, but mine is simply getting from A to B quicker than someone else, or even yourself.

You still need gearing based solely on your efforts don't you?
What did people do before compact compacts? Were only racers allowed to buy road (or 'racing' as they were then called) bikes that were not triples?

Not sure what your problem is, tbh. Racing in the context of this discussion means competition - look it up if you're not clear. If you're looking for an argument, go elsewhere.

So you also think that anyone not competing officially should have a 50/34 chainset then?
Because that was what I was commenting on.

You quoted/replied to my post. Why do you think I am the one looking for an argument?

imposter2.0

Carbonator wrote:

So you also think that anyone not competing officially should have a 50/34 chainset then?
Because that was what I was commenting on.

You quoted/replied to my post. Why do you think I am the one looking for an argument?

I've always raced on a compact (50/38). You seemed to be struggling with the definition of racing, which is what I tried (and failed) to help you with.

Anonymous

Imposter wrote:

Carbonator wrote:

So you also think that anyone not competing officially should have a 50/34 chainset then?
Because that was what I was commenting on.

You quoted/replied to my post. Why do you think I am the one looking for an argument?

I've always raced on a compact (50/38). You seemed to be struggling with the definition of racing, which is what I tried (and failed) to help you with.

You have not failed at all. You just do not understand the original point.
I completely understand that you can race with any chainset.
My point was that you can also ride with any chain set and that it has nothing to do with racing.

Its funny that people are saying what chainset the OP's wife should have based only on knowing what she currently has.
The bike her husband seems to have bought for her sounds wrong for other reasons than the gearing.
I am happy to surmise that but think more info is needed before saying she has to have the lowest geared, widest ratio'd bike going.

earth

Bar Shaker wrote:

markhewitt1978 wrote:

I would generalise and say that for almost everyone who isn't racing or pretending to race, a compact 50/34 chainset is the best choice as it gives a good range of gearing and the amount of times you need anything higher than 50-11 is going to be very limited indeed.

^^ This.

There is also a weight saving by going Compact (ring sizes and chain length), if that maters to you.

And a friction penalty from using smaller rings and sprockets.

DeVlaeminck

xdoc wrote:

I agree with Imposter, cranksets are either Standard or Compact, and it is the BCD which is important. With a Standard the smallest chain ring you can fit is 38 tooth, with a Compact it is 34.

Well we all know what a compact BCD meant but in common usage a compact is a 50*34 and a standard double has pretty much become 52*39. Yes the BCD is important in terms of what you can fit but what rings you have fitted is what is actually important when you are riding the bike.

lochindaal

Wow, I never expected such a diverse set of replies for a simple question!

As my wife rode quite a few bikes before chosing what she wanted I am happy we bought the correct one though I'm not sure how that assumption was made from my original question it was wrong (RT57 from PX with Force 22 and the 20% discount from another thread on BR for £800). Due to the bargain price I was prepared to swap the chainset and potentially lose a few quid on it if it made sense.

I have ridden the EduT a few times myself so knew what was required, though I've always done it with a 34-28 as my lowest gear. What I think is clear is no one has made the change from a standard to a compact (I won't mention BCD as I'm confident 90% of the people reading know what I mean) when running an 11-32 rear and can give me a like for like comparison.

I have though taken from the thread with the 11 speed the ratio's look so close that there are no great jumps. Also not surprisingly going up the Alps on an 34-32 is very nice

I have therefore gone for the compact and will make the change to give her the best chance of enjoying the Etape.

If anyone wants an unridden Force 22 59/39 chainset it will be on the classified section shortly.

If my wife decides she wants to take up racing I'll come back to seek further advice, though I think at 45 it's unlikely