Compact cranks? (Page 3)

2006-06-02 3:49 PM

in reply to: #440866

Extreme Veteran

707

pnw

Subject: RE: Compact cranks?

Not saying 650s are a bad thing

I just remember watching a 100# female and a 180 lb male speeding past me on this hill with big cranks and 11/23s and thinking WOW! ...real studs... both of them

Then I begain to learn about gearing

They were studs/studettes but geraing can make a big difference and smaller wheels can make a really big difference.

2006-06-02 5:22 PM

in reply to: #440866

Pro

4578

Vancouver, BC

Subject: RE: Compact cranks?

Oh yeah I agree with you.

I'm such a nerd that I have a printout from Sheldon Brown's gear ratio calculator taped on to the stem of each of my bikes.

2006-06-02 5:22 PM

in reply to: #440866

Pro

4578

Vancouver, BC

Subject: RE: Compact cranks?

Wait? Does that mean that I am not a stud?

2006-06-02 5:38 PM

in reply to: #441856

Pro

3870

Virginia Beach, VA

Subject: RE: Compact cranks?

Of course you are. One day I hope to ride liek Jeng

jeng - 2006-06-02 6:22 PM Wait? Does that mean that I am not a stud?

2006-06-02 5:40 PM

in reply to: #440866

Extreme Veteran

707

pnw

Subject: RE: Compact cranks?

Naw, you get the studette award just by being in the converstaion and knowing the advanatges of 650s. :-)

Anyone who uses/used 42/21 gets a stud award.
Jen sez: "I would climb those same hills with a 42/21"

2006-06-02 5:48 PM

in reply to: #440866

Pro

4578

Vancouver, BC

Subject: RE: Compact cranks?

No no, Rick said "42/21". You missed where I changed "42/21" to "42/23". I'm such a girl. Don't tell Jim (runfryrlif).

2006-06-02 5:48 PM

in reply to: #441493

Pro

3870

Virginia Beach, VA

Subject: RE: Compact cranks?

That's what I needed to know. I guess I opened a can of worms by not making it clear that I was looking for facts, not necessarily opinion in my original post. I'll be picking up a compact crank and 11/23 ASAP.

Nob - 2006-06-02 2:05 PM

Comparing a 12/25, no, on the 11/21 (more top speed but slightly less climbing ability) and yes on the 11/23 ( more climbing ability and more top speed)

Think of a 50/36 compact running a 11/23 as faster and an almost equal climber to a 53*39 with a 12/27...because that is exactly what it is.

Here is the best piece i have seen written with direct comparison graphs.
http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/techctr/gearing.html

2006-06-02 5:50 PM

in reply to: #440866

Pro

4578

Vancouver, BC

Subject: RE: Compact cranks?

Don't they become facts if we throw some number in?

2006-06-02 5:53 PM

in reply to: #440866

Extreme Veteran

707

pnw

Subject: RE: Compact cranks?

Geeze and I thought just writing it in public made it a fact.

Just picked up our race packettes for tomorrow's sprint. Now I am trying to decide what the proper dose of oxycodone will be for racing with broken ribs

Any opinions?

2006-06-02 5:55 PM

in reply to: #440866

Pro

4578

Vancouver, BC

Subject: RE: Compact cranks?

When in doubt go for the maximum.

2006-06-02 6:12 PM

in reply to: #441866

Pro

3870

Virginia Beach, VA

Subject: RE: Compact cranks?

I can honestly say that I much prefer you as a girl. You'd still kick my *** in a bike rce though...and I kind of dig that

jeng - 2006-06-02 6:48 PM I'm such a girl.

2006-06-02 6:20 PM

in reply to: #440866

Extreme Veteran

707

pnw

Subject: RE: Compact cranks?

nob rides a 36/27
Jen rides a 42/23.

Nob = 0
Jen = Studette

betyoursilver

2006-06-02 7:49 PM

in reply to: #440866

Master

1862

San Mateo, CA

Subject: RE: Compact cranks?

This seems like one of those YMMV type of threads.

I currently have a CC set (FSA/Ultegra setup) with 12-27 cassette. I love it! I do a lot of hill climbing; most of my rides involve some climbing since that happens to be the nature of the geographic beast around these parts. Admittedly, as I've become stronger on the hills, the 27T doesn't get quite as much use anymore, and a 12-25 cassette is probably a better bet for me. Whatever the case, for the long sustained hill climbs like the ones I'm known for doing, the CC is awesome.

2006-06-08 7:59 PM

in reply to: #440866

Extreme Veteran

707

pnw

Subject: RE: Compact cranks?

After all the talk about compacts and my last two races I rethought my TRI bike's crank. Pulled the DA crank and TT chainrings. Added a Shamino compact today with a 11/23 in the back. I spin out at around 120 and 40+ mph. with that set up on my road bikes. But since I have yet to average 25 mph in any race I supect the compact will just save my legs even more in the races.

Anyone interested in a set of lightly used (five sprints and four Olys) 7800 Dura Ace 175 cranks with a 54/42 chain ring set?

2006-06-08 9:49 PM

in reply to: #440866

Pro

3870

Virginia Beach, VA

Subject: RE: Compact cranks?

After hearing the discussion here I think you probably made a good choice there. I'll primarily be racing 70.3 and IM distance so I don't think spinning out at anything over 25mph is going to be a problem.