Looking at a cross bike which has a compact chainset 50/34 and a 13-25 10 speed cassette

Now I’ve got to be honest I’m a bit worried about 34:25 being the lowest gear – is this normal for a cross bike?

Or do I need to just MTFU!?

It depends what you’re going to be using it for…
If racing then the 50 is too big, and the 34 too small, if it’s a “road bike for mountain bikers” then it’s probably ok, and if being used for good solid days out in the hills with connecting bits of roads’n’all then it’s nearly ok, but could do with a 28 or bigger on the back.
IMHO obviously

36:46

With 11:28 at the back

Does for me, and I’m no jeyweight rider sadly.. 🙁

SS for me – 39×20 at HTN, and 40×18 normally.

MTFU 😀

‘Kin ell! 😯

41 x 19 here, mtfu 😉 63″ is about right.

46/34 with 12-23.
aP that 34 does feel a bit twiddly come to think of it.

Hehe. I’m running 48/34 with 13/29 at the moment – but then I’m using it more as a versatile bike that also races rather than a properly dedicated race bike. I wouldn’t want to climb back over Ranmore on anything higher.

As aP says, depends what you’re using it for. I’m running 36/46 with a 12/25 cassette. Raced with that gearing last season and will stick with the same for HONC.