Quote Originally Posted by indysteel View Post
Out of curiosity, what are the specs of the crank that's on the FS MTB that you're trying? I know there are are other compact doubles with combinations different from the one I use on my roadbike (50-34), but I don't specifically know what they are.

For what it's worth, I personally would not like a compact set up with a wide cassette. As it is, I'm not overly fond of my current set up of a 50-34 compact and a 13-26 cassette because half of the time on the flats, I simply can't find a gear that makes my knees/lungs all that happy. I do have the climbing gears that I need most of the time, but the vast majority of my rides don't involve much climbing. Frankly, the only reason I'm running a compact to begin with is that my IT band wasn't happy with my triple. I know Jonathan has discussed Q factor with you and doesn't feel that you're as bad off as I was with a triple, but what do you/he think you'd otherwise gain by running a compact over a triple? Weight savings? Crisper shifting?
I will find out the specs Friday, it will be an interesting comparison especially if I find I like it - though from what I have read I suspect I won't care for it but I want to give it a chance. Your comment seems to be a common one regarding a double compact.

I do not appear to be having IT band issues, or at least I did not seem to prior to my injury in September. I am going to ask my PT what the symptoms are for a tight IT band to verify that - I had so many issues with my legs... Jonathan is encouraging me to look at different drive trains - but he has held back on a direct recommendation as of yet.

It will need to be a good reason to switch from a triple - I will be saving weight from the lighter frame and custom 26 inch wheels that I do not think the weight of the triple crank would hurt. I will be quite curious to see what he specs for me in the initial parts list he is presenting me Friday to start the discussion.