Compact Double question

[Adventure Girl]

Are you sure about that 50/30? Sounds like an awfully big jump - could it be a 50/34? That's much more common.

And will your front derailleur be able to jump 20 teeth? That's a lot! I agree. 50/34 is much more common. What cassette would you run? 12/25?

[sarahk]

I just bought a new bike. I got a compact, it's a 36/50. I personally love it. I came from a triple and It might be in my head but, I've had it for 4 weeks tomorrow and I think it's made me stronger. I did have a problem with the chain dropping when I first got the bike, the bike shop didn't have any compact front derauiller (sp?) is stock and wouldn't be able to get them for a month, so he called the Giant dealer and he suggested putting a triple front derauiller on it and it shifts perfectly.

There seems to be a huge shift towards compact's this year. I think you can get them with a 36/50 or a 34/50. With my 36/50, my boyfriend says that I only lost the 2 (maybe it was 3) of the lowest gears of my triple. I don't know what you would be losing with a 34/50.

Good luck!
Sarah

[ChainsOflove]

I haven't ridden a compact, but I wish I had gotten one instead of the $600 I spent for a triple. The Geezer at the LBS was unfamiliar with the new ones, and pushed me for the triple. Oh well, next bike.

There is a good discussion of the compact campy at competitivecyclist.com

[preeder]

Thanks for the input on the compact double. Picked up the Merlin last week and have ridden about 150 miles. I really like the compact double. I don't fel like I've lost much with the 50/34. I've gone out and tackled the bigger hills and have done well. The combo of the ti frame and the rest of the components makes me invincible.