Compact crank--> Std Crank conversion

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2012-08-16 4:46 PM

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Subject: Compact crank--> Std Crank conversion

I picked up a 2012 Cannondale Super Six 5 earlier this year and it came with a compact crank.  I'm not sure I really like the compact crank and was thinking about chaning it out to a standard.  The bike is available in both (FSA Gossamer Pro BB30, 53/39 (Option: 50/34 compact)).  Is this conversion as simple as just buying the larger chain rings and slapping them on?  Any reason why I couldn't change out just the big ring and leave the 34 in place?

Thanks for any answers!

2012-08-16 8:32 PM
in reply to: #4366993

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Subject: RE: Compact crank--> Std Crank conversion
The answer on whether to swap your compact for a standard is dependent upon a few things. 1. How strong of a rider are you now, and do you plan to become. 2. Terrain you normally ride orlando to ride. 3. Group rides you may be doing where drafting will pull you along. Perhaps other considerations, but these are what I considered when I went the other way, from a standard to a compact on my Cervelo P3. I was a marginal rider....now pretty strong. I ride plenty of hills and my key races this year had lots of rollers and some significant climbing. I don't do group rides, nearly all solo. In addition to swapping my standard to a compact, I also went to an 11-23 cassette. I wanted to have the smallest jumps possible for my prime speeds, between 18-25 mph, wanted to have an easy gear for climbing (34-23) and was ok with spinning out above 36-37 mph in the 50-11. I'm very happy with the switch and not sure I'd switch back unless I decide to do time trials. As for just swapping your big ring for a 53 or 54, not sure as not all crank sets support that. Mine did not If you do switch, you will likely need to add 2-3 links to your chain to accommodate the larger chainring. Your front derailer might be ok, but it also may require a minor adjustment a touch higher. Rear derailer should be fine. Overall, it's not a difficult thing to do. Be sure your bottom bracket is compatible with your new crankset. if they are both BB30 your current Bottom Bracket should be fine If If not, swapping that is not difficult either. Lots of good "how to" videos on YouTube.
2012-08-17 4:02 AM
in reply to: #4366993

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Subject: RE: Compact crank--> Std Crank conversion

You can switch out the chainrings, but you have to use rings with 110 BCD. It is a different chainbolt pattern on a compact and standard crank, so chainrings meant for a standard won't fit. 

You can get chainrings up to 52t for 110 cranksets, so yeah, you could just get the bigger rings and move all your gearing up a little.

I wouldn't leave the 34 on if you go to a 52. A drop that large will be disruptive for regular riding and will make you prone to dropping your chain.   If you need additional range, you can make up for it with a wider range cassette.

What are you running for a cassette now with your compact?

2012-08-17 12:51 PM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Compact crank--> Std Crank conversion

You can get new chainrings to put on your current crank or swap out your crank altogether. 52/36 is a good combination for a 110 BCD. As Kim mentioned, the bigger the gap between chainrings, the more likely it is that you will drop a chain or have slow shifts. There's also a limit to how much slack the rear derailleur can accommodate.

I would love to get a 52/36 on my bike but I currently have a standard crankset (130 BCD) so I need a whole new crank, probably chainrings too as most come as 50/34. I'll probably end up with a 50/34 and 11-23 on my road bike and standard with 12-25 on my TT bike.

What do you need a compact for? There's one hill in 100 miles of you!

2012-08-17 4:32 PM
in reply to: #4367483

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Subject: RE: Compact crank--> Std Crank conversion

I've got the stock cassette on there which is a 12-27.  Thanks for the detailed answers, there's certainly much more to it than I anticipated.

2012-08-17 4:33 PM
in reply to: #4368195

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Subject: RE: Compact crank--> Std Crank conversion
MonkeyClaw - 2012-08-17 10:51 AM

What do you need a compact for? There's one hill in 100 miles of you!

Exactly why I was considering getting rid of the compact crank and moving to a standard!

2012-08-17 7:53 PM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Compact crank--> Std Crank conversion

Have you thought of just changing the cassette then?  An 11t cog with your current chainrings will give you a bigger gear than you would get by adding a standard and keeping your cassette and it will be a cheaper alternative.

2012-08-18 10:10 AM
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Subject: RE: Compact crank--> Std Crank conversion


Edited by kstater39 2012-08-18 10:11 AM
2012-08-20 7:50 AM
in reply to: #4368823

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Subject: RE: Compact crank--> Std Crank conversion
dredwards - 2012-08-17 8:53 PM

Have you thought of just changing the cassette then?  An 11t cog with your current chainrings will give you a bigger gear than you would get by adding a standard and keeping your cassette and it will be a cheaper alternative.

I have the same same exact bike and went through the same exact decision process as i live in Florida which we all know is flatter than flat.  What was suggested above it is what i did and it worked great.  You  get the gears that you want, minimize cost, and if you ever race in a hillier area the only thing that you need is to switch your cassette.

2012-08-20 1:57 PM
in reply to: #4368823

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Subject: RE: Compact crank--> Std Crank conversion

dredwards - 2012-08-17 5:53 PMHave you thought of just changing the cassette then?  An 11t cog with your current chainrings will give you a bigger gear than you would get by adding a standard and keeping your cassette and it will be a cheaper alternative.

That's a good suggestion too.  I'll give that a shot.  Thanks for the input, everybody.

2012-08-20 4:09 PM
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Subject: RE: Compact crank--> Std Crank conversion

I made a similar post in the main forum:

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