Compact Crank vs 24 speeds

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2009-08-04 5:26 PM

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Subject: Compact Crank vs 24 speeds
Have one bike with a compact crank and one bike (only been riden once) with 3 chainrings which gives me 24 speeds. I've been training with the compact crank. However, I was wondering if the hills might be a little easier with the 24 speeds in my upcoming race? I could test it out but I managed to strip my back brake last night and the shop is telling me it will take two weeks to fix. Obviously I should not be let loose with a screwdriver or wrench but that's a whole nother topic! Anybody think the 24 speeds would really make a difference?

2009-08-04 5:35 PM
in reply to: #2328118

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Subject: RE: Compact Crank vs 24 speeds

When I first started riding I found myself using the "granny gear" often on hills. The last 2 years I dont think I have used it once. I keep thinking about getting rid of it but there is something noce about knowing I have those extra gears if things got real ugly.

 

2009-08-04 5:39 PM
in reply to: #2328118

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Subject: RE: Compact Crank vs 24 speeds
It depends. 


If the triple has a narrow cassette and the compact has a wide cassette, the compact bike has lower gearing and will climb easier.  A 30x21 is about the same as a 34x24, so if you had a 11-21 on your triple and a 12-24 on your compact, they would be almost equally geared.
2009-08-04 5:42 PM
in reply to: #2328118

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Subject: RE: Compact Crank vs 24 speeds
Basically, I have found that you gain one additional low end gear and one additional high end gear when you go from a triple to a compact.  Hance the move towards compact cranks recently.  (I determined this running various cassette options using a gear calculator and compared my 34/50 compact with a 30/39/52 triple.)

However, you would not know for sure until you run your gears through a gear calculator.

The best way to deal with hill mechanically is to get a different cassette that has bigger rings like a 12-27.
2009-08-04 7:07 PM
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Subject: RE: Compact Crank vs 24 speeds
I use a compact double (50/34) with an 11-28 rear cassette on my tri bike.  Given that I recently did the Vineman full with a 5:43 bike split (~19.5 mph avg), I think you can say it worked out well.  the top end with the 50-11 combo is better than a 53-12 combo, and the bottom end of 34-28 will climb any hill.
2009-08-04 8:21 PM
in reply to: #2328118

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Subject: RE: Compact Crank vs 24 speeds
Caelric , ditto. I use 50/34 X 12/27. In hilly Maryland I use 34X27, for instance at Columbia Tri.  I have looked at 11/28 .... you have any problems shifting with this much gear delta?

2009-08-04 9:48 PM
in reply to: #2328409

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Subject: RE: Compact Crank vs 24 speeds
jsselle - 2009-08-04 6:21 PM Caelric , ditto. I use 50/34 X 12/27. In hilly Maryland I use 34X27, for instance at Columbia Tri.  I have looked at 11/28 .... you have any problems shifting with this much gear delta?


None whatsoever.  However, it is dura-ace stuff.  Not sure how much of a difference that makes.  My road bike is 105, and it shifts fine, but it is a 12/27 cassette with a triple crank.
2009-08-05 9:48 AM
in reply to: #2328118


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Subject: RE: Compact Crank vs 24 speeds

Sorry, But I need to hijack a bit here... anyone have a site that explains bike gearing, compact cranks vs "normal" ones etc? I am lost in this conversation
2009-08-05 10:17 AM
in reply to: #2329328

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Subject: RE: Compact Crank vs 24 speeds
jdevito20 - 2009-08-05 9:48 AM Sorry, But I need to hijack a bit here... anyone have a site that explains bike gearing, compact cranks vs "normal" ones etc? I am lost in this conversation



http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gearing/index.html
2009-08-06 9:22 AM
in reply to: #2329408


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Subject: RE: Compact Crank vs 24 speeds
TriPatrick - 2009-08-05 10:17 AM

jdevito20 - 2009-08-05 9:48 AM Sorry, But I need to hijack a bit here... anyone have a site that explains bike gearing, compact cranks vs "normal" ones etc? I am lost in this conversation



http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gearing/index.html


Thanks dude, I'll check this out!
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