Hi All
I've picked up a SRAM S950 50/34 for one of my bikes to swap out the 53/39. Thinking of changing the chainrings to 52/36 and I was curious how many others are running this mid compact set-up and how they find it??? I've tackled the likes of Mt Macedon with the 39/28 and Donna Buang with 39/25 but it would be good to have some more gears to give the knees a rest and have a crack at Mt Baw Baw and others.
Mid Compact Crank
- drubie
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Re: Mid Compact Crank
Postby drubie » Sun Dec 30, 2012 12:14 pm
I was running something similar with an FSA compact but the rings were too flexible. I'm back to a normal 53 now. I reckon its better to run a 27 on the back instead.
So we get the leaders we deserve and we elect, we get the companies and the products that we ask for, right? And we have to ask for different things. – Paul Gilding
but really, that's rubbish. We get none of it because the choices are illusory.
but really, that's rubbish. We get none of it because the choices are illusory.
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Re: Mid Compact Crank
Postby Uncle Just » Sun Dec 30, 2012 12:49 pm
Keep your 50/34 with a 28 for Baw Baw, it's a brutal climb. I haven't used a 52/36 setup as I find the 50/11 gives me a big enough gear for descents without spinning out. I alternate between 50/36 with an 11-25 for the flats or hills around Melbourne and 50/34 with 11/28 for the longer steeper climbs in the mountains. For most other climbs, apart from the 3 peaks perhaps, if you're very climbing fit and supple, a 52/36 with an 11/28 or 12/27 might be ok. Gearing is a subjective topic anyway, what works for a young 60kg A grade climber will not obviously suit an 80kg masher or someone over 50.
I've found the older I get the gears are dropping as you simply lose strength. A climb I may have done in the 39/21 10 years ago, I now use a 36/25 or on steeper stuff like back of Falls a 34/28 is very handy.
I've found the older I get the gears are dropping as you simply lose strength. A climb I may have done in the 39/21 10 years ago, I now use a 36/25 or on steeper stuff like back of Falls a 34/28 is very handy.
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Re: Mid Compact Crank
Postby dobby » Sun Dec 30, 2012 3:21 pm
I live in Toowoomba Qld (which can be a bit hilly) and run a SRAM Red compact 50/34 with an option of a 11-26 or 11-28 rear on my Trek Madone. What I find is that on a regular morning bunch ride, when I try and spin in the 34 11 or 34 12 I simply cant because the way the SRAM Red doesnt have a trim in the front derailleur. I find riding in 34 13 a bit limiting because I tend to run out of gears at about 28 to 29kmh and a 90 cadence on the flat around town. I get into a situation where I am constantly changing up in the front and then back down etc.
I have just installed a 36 chainring, to replace the 34. I have found the 50 36 front and the 11 - 26 as I can run the 36 13 and sit in, in a bunch ride comfortably at about 30kmh and it has made the world of difference in that Im not changing as constantly as before.
I have just installed a 36 chainring, to replace the 34. I have found the 50 36 front and the 11 - 26 as I can run the 36 13 and sit in, in a bunch ride comfortably at about 30kmh and it has made the world of difference in that Im not changing as constantly as before.
- mogwaiboi
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Re: Mid Compact Crank
Postby mogwaiboi » Sun Dec 30, 2012 4:46 pm
Thanks for the info guys.dobby wrote:I live in Toowoomba Qld (which can be a bit hilly) and run a SRAM Red compact 50/34 with an option of a 11-26 or 11-28 rear on my Trek Madone. What I find is that on a regular morning bunch ride, when I try and spin in the 34 11 or 34 12 I simply cant because the way the SRAM Red doesnt have a trim in the front derailleur. I find riding in 34 13 a bit limiting because I tend to run out of gears at about 28 to 29kmh and a 90 cadence on the flat around town. I get into a situation where I am constantly changing up in the front and then back down etc.
I have just installed a 36 chainring, to replace the 34. I have found the 50 36 front and the 11 - 26 as I can run the 36 13 and sit in, in a bunch ride comfortably at about 30kmh and it has made the world of difference in that Im not changing as constantly as before.
Yes I think I'll get the 36 chainring to begin with, and put an 11 tooth on the back instead of the 12 and see how that works.
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