[bigjohn1414]

​why are all the bikes now sold have compact cranks??? and how many links do i add to the chain when moving up to the standard? please help me.

 

[tihsepa]

They dont!!!

RBR has a search.

 

[bigjohn1414]

do you know if i have to add links to the chain if i move up to the standard 53/39

 

[PlatyPius]

Yes, you'll have to add links; unless your chain was too long to begin with.

The rectangular buttons on the left and right are called shift keys. They allow you to type capital letters. Even phones have them. That way you don't come across as a lazy, self-absorbed, entitled teenager.

 

[Hooben]

Yes, some bicycles come with compact or mid compact cranks. This is done to enable the rider to climb up hills a little easier.

 

[tihsepa]

Its really no problem to move from one crank to a standard. You do need need to ad some chain.
You may also need a front derailuer cable. You have to move the derailuer up and the cable may be a bit short.

 

[JCavilia]

Before you go to the trouble and expense, consider whether you really need it. The difference isn't so dramatic as the terms might suggest, and with the right choice of cassette most riders can do fine with either crank setup.

 

[SauronHimself]

Compact cranks are for the elderly and the weak. Suck it up with a 53/39.

 

[PlatyPius]

Before you go to the trouble and expense, consider whether you really need it. The difference isn't so dramatic as the terms might suggest, and with the right choice of cassette most riders can do fine with either crank setup.

Aye. A 50/11 will beat a 53/12 any day.

 

[den bakker]

Compact cranks are for the elderly and the weak. Suck it up with a 53/39.

gez.
if you really feel the need to pretend to be all tough and sh!t at least go with a 53/42.

 

[Argentius]

The actual answer to "why" is that decent wide-range cassettes are now available. Most categories of road bike are now supplied with a cassette like an 11-27 or 11-28, which gives a lot of gear choices.

I think you might like the 52 / 36 standard which is developing. Some are calling it "mid gear" or "mid compact," which is really sort of a misnomer, since compact is meant to refer to the bolt circle of the crank, not the chainring size, but, that's fine. We're also seeing the return, on the high end, of the 52 / 38 gearing which was technically always available from Shimano, and was my preferred gearing when I could get it.

I like these a lot better than 50 / 34, which is not as helpful to me on a regular road bike. It is not so much that I need more top-end, but, the 34 inner ring is so small I can make little use of it. The 36 allows a much rider range of gears and might just be a sweet spot.

 

[cyclingsivells]

Compact cranks are for the elderly and the weak. Suck it up with a 53/39.

Then why not just ride a fixie?

 

[carlislegeorge]

Then why not just ride a fixie?

and only do up-hill repetition drills

 

[bigjohn1414]

Before you go to the trouble and expense, consider whether you really need it. The difference isn't so dramatic as the terms might suggest, and with the right choice of cassette most riders can do fine with either crank setup.[/QUOTE

Thanks this helped alot. Its good to know that there are some good people out there.

 

[bigjohn1414]

Yes, you'll have to add links; unless your chain was too long to begin with.

The rectangular buttons on the left and right are called shift keys. They allow you to type capital letters. Even phones have them. That way you don't come across as a lazy, self-absorbed, entitled teenager.

Ok thanks!!!!!

 

[azpeterb]

I had to switch to a compact crank when I learned that the FD hanger on my new frame was too low to accommodate a standard 53/39. But I must admit that I like the range of gears on my 50/34 compact crank. The only problem is that I spin out when I hit about 35 mph, but I don't go that fast very often so it's no problem. Now if I ever started doping and could smoothly spin at 300 rpm, I might have to switch back to a 53/39.

 

[JCavilia]

The only problem is that I spin out when I hit about 35 mph, but I don't go that fast very often so it's no problem. Now if I ever started doping and could smoothly spin at 300 rpm, I might have to switch back to a 53/39.

Three points:

- at 35 mph, you're probably faster getting in a tuck and coasting. Unless you're racing with a pretty fast crowd, you'd rarely get any benefit from pedaling at that speed.

- if you have an 11, at 35 mph you're spinning about 100 rpm. If you could manage even 110 comfortably (nearly all riders can learn to do that), you'd increase that terminal velocity significantly, to 38.5 mph.

- You got that last part backward. If you could spin really fast, you wouldn't need such high gears. I know 300 rpm was a joke, but even at 150 rpm, you'd go 45 mph in a 50x13.

 

[mpre53]

I had to switch to a compact crank when I learned that the FD hanger on my new frame was too low to accommodate a standard 53/39. But I must admit that I like the range of gears on my 50/34 compact crank. The only problem is that I spin out when I hit about 35 mph, but I don't go that fast very often so it's no problem. Now if I ever started doping and could smoothly spin at 300 rpm, I might have to switch back to a 53/39.

Sounds like your small cog on the cassette is a 12t?

 

[azpeterb]

Sounds like your small cog on the cassette is a 12t?

No, definitely an 11. I was just joking about the 300 rpm thing, but I do spin out at about 35 mph in my 50/11. I'm just not much of a spinner when it gets to over 100 rpm or so.

 

[bigjohn1414]

I now have a 50/34 front and 11/21 rear. But still thinking about the standard. Thanks for all the great responses