Compact or Triple Crank?

[limewave]

Anybody riding mountain bike with a compact crank? If so, do you like it more or less than a triple and why? What are you gaining with the compact and what are you compromising?

I'm asking b/c the bikeshop guy just told me all xc racing is moving towards compact and that's what he recommended on my new bike. But I have never ever ridden compact on my xc bike. I'm a little nervous about it.

[Veronica]

I have a triple on my mtb, so take this with a grain of salt...

But I'd think about it the same way I did for my road bikes. What gear ratios do I need for my riding? Can I get something close with a compact? If I could, then I'd go with the compact.

Veronica

[SheFly]

I haven't heard of a compact for MTBs...

That said, I only use a double anyway. In most of our races/terrain here, there is no need for a "big ring". I find I can ride most anything, including a recent "dirt road crit" with just the double. This also provides more clearance for me with logs and rocks.

Like V said, think of the gears you will use. A triple is likely unnecessary (I take that back if you live in CA and are MTB riding in the hills!).

SheFly

[limewave]

I have no understanding of gearing. The numbers mean nothing to me--I just don't speak that language. I just go by how things feel. Maybe you guys can shed some light for me.

Right now I have a 9-speed
22-34-44 with 11-32 in the rear

What I'm lookin' at:
20/47 front
12-36 on the back.

[Veronica]

(I take that back if you live in CA and are MTB riding in the hills!).

SheFly

Yeah, I don't think I could give up my little ring on my mtb. I think I spend 90% of every ride in it.

Veronica

[jessmarimba]

I know the bf seriously dislikes the idea of 2x10 gearing for mtb. In his opinion, it's moving that way because that's what companies are making, and not b/c that's what people really want. But I'm sure it depends on where you're riding (and who you ask - but he's been riding for eons, so it's not like he's not in bike shape).

Personally, I wanted to go 1x9 before I got hurt and lost most of my leg strength. I was spending the majority of every ride in the same 2-3 gears. But...now I'm very happy with a triple

[bellissima]

limewave, are you sure is a 20/47? it seems like a very odd number, most double cranks ( what you call compact) start at 24 for the small ring and go up to 44 for the big ring. A size 47 will be too big on a mountain bike. A 20 teeth granny gear would be super easy (too easy) and a 47 would be too hard. Using a double really depends on the area you ride and you level of fitness. Here in SoCal most of the fast racers are using doubles and really like them, but you must consider that they don't use the granny gear at all so having it make no sense and they tend to ride bigger gears anyways.