compact cranks

[alpinerabbit]

Bounceswoosh: it's easier to switch because you may not have to change the front derailleur.

The compact isn't going to help you up harder hills, it doesn't have the gearing options of the triple. sounds nice for moderate riding; for folks that don't want to go too fast and don't have a lot of hills to climb.

I climbed Stelvio with a campy compact and 12-29 cassette.... and I did 20% hills with it*. That good enuff? What's in a name?

Yeah you can't draft the truck DOWN Stelvio. But I can crank it at 36+ kph in the flat. Wait till I get stronger.

The bigger the lever, the less work to get it to move.
If you get a compact crank, you're not going to have to turn it as far to move the same distance, but you're going to have to work harder.

No - IMHO, exactly the opposite. With the compact, you will have to spin more often to cover the same distance, but at less resistance. But I have never been intuitive at physics (although I wasn't outright bad).
To put it simply: Compared to the regular double, you have an overall set of easier gears. Yes not the amount of options of a triple, or the easiest possible granny gear, but a cheaper remodel, lighter weight and IMHO more precise shifting.

*new bike: Ultegra compact/11-27 - going to switch to an SRAM 12-28 cassette - and have not yet attempted either 20% or a major alpine pass. So the verdict is not in yet.

[mimitabby]

No - IMHO, exactly the opposite. With the compact, you will have to spin more often to cover the same distance, but at less resistance. But I have never been intuitive at physics (although I wasn't outright bad).
To put it simply: Compared to the regular double, you have an overall set of easier gears. Yes not the amount of options of a triple, or the easiest possible granny gear, but a cheaper remodel, lighter weight and IMHO more precise shifting.
.

I was comparing to a bike with bigger gears, not smaller. So we're both right.
my triple has bigger granny gears than your compact.

remember, just because you can go up a 20% grade hill without dropping into a granny gear doesn't mean someone who is already having trouble is going to want to do that. (or be physically able to!)

[alpinerabbit]

Oh absolutely. I was just saying the compact will help you up harder hills than a regular double which is what the original poster seems to have, and it's a viable option even in hilly, mountainous, alpine terrain.

Yes the Triple is even better ... except for the technical concerns. it's like strawberry, vanilla and chocolate.

my triple has bigger granny gears than your compact.

My daddy is stronger than your daddy j/k

[7rider]

My daddy is stronger than your daddy j/k

Ooooo, boy!!! Time to pull up a chair, grab a tub o' popcorn, and watch the fur start to fly in the great "compact vs. triple" debate. This is gonna be fun!!

[Mr. SR500]

What cassette are you running? If you don't already a 12-27, it would give you some lower gears.

[debdownunder]

What cassette are you running? If you don't already a 12-27, it would give you some lower gears.

i have a 12-27 rear cassette...maybe i just need a lot more practice.
my friend, the triathlete says she wouldnt have anything else but a compact crank, and it seems to be the way older riders are going...obviously a very debatable topic.
ta

[alpinerabbit]

Ooooo, boy!!! Time to pull up a chair, grab a tub o' popcorn, and watch the fur start to fly in the great "compact vs. triple" debate. This is gonna be fun!!

I was gonna say just the same.

[IFjane]

Just the voice of experience here. I took physics and remember little or nothing. And no, I did not stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.

BUT - In January I switched from my Shimano Ultregra triple I had been using since I started road riding (6 years ago), to a Campy compact double. I am not some young hammerhead-ess. I am 54, carrying about 20+ pounds more than I would like, and live at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I do not and never have been a fast climber - uphill is my weakness - but for some reason the double is in most instances easier, and in a few, no harder than the triple. My theory is the weight savings by not having the extra chainring. The gearing is similar - my triple was a standard 52-42-30 with a 12/27 cassette. Now I have a 50-34 with an 11/27 cassette. I love it and have no plans to ever go back.

Good luck!

[debdownunder]

thanks,
finally a sort of, positive response.
i just want to make it easier on my old legs, which burn, baby burn!!!!when i try and go hard up some hills.