In TBC earlier today shootin' teh breaze with Downie, I noticed a bike with Ultegra...and a COMPACT chainset!
WTF!!!
Isn't this stuff meant to be reserved for noobs - Tiagra and below? It was bad enough when they released triples in Dura Ace. This stuff is meant for FAST people on FAST bikes. WHY?
sorry - the voice of those who care cant time travel from 1982
some riders spin - fact
People who ride slowly spend more time on the bike so have to have more robust components. Simples 
There's been an Ultegra level compact for a while - FCR700.
I have standard and compact chainsets. Former lives on there most of the time, but the compact was a godsend when I died a thousand deaths at Flanders last year (because there was no effing way I was going to walk any of the bergs).
Ermmmm
I'm powerless to resist feeding the troll...
You know that more than a few pro riders use compacts in high mountain grand tour stages, right?
It's 'breeze', you looser!! 
wish i could ride slow enough to notice how much better other peoples bikes were than mine
Sir,
I could have dealt with your concerning concerns at the time had you detailed them to me over lunch.
Top Angus burger BTW. mmmm BBQ sauce!
iirc they only sell them so you can feel superior and smug
finbar - Member
I'm powerless to resist feeding the troll...You know that more than a few pro riders use compacts in high mountain grand tour stages, right?
I don't doubt that, nor the Flandrian stuff (more shame in having compact than walking tho, IMO).
And I know Edinburgh can be pretty hilly but really?
TBC I felt embarrased for you. I am now eating strawberry shoelaces.
mav12 - Member
wish i could ride slow enough to notice how much better other peoples bikes were than mine
Martini: I'll take you on, any road/trail, any time, anywhere. Not even TLR has said "yes".
Who you talking about grime?
It's the "mid life crisis roadie sportive rider with more money and carbon fibre than sense" market they are pitched at.
That's where the money is.
I don't doubt that, nor the Flandrian stuff (more shame in having compact than walking tho, IMO).
.. to n00bs who look at the bike not the rider, perhaps
I have one!! Goes on the cross bike for the three peaks and the road bike for the etape du dales and the Fred Whitton. I like to spin up really steep hills rather than wrench my bars off being an animal. I have finesse.
i overtook a roadie with his dinner plate big ring grinding up a hill, my compact ultegra and 12-25 was just the ticket to dish out the humiliation.
is that as bad as overtaking a roadie on my SS mtb? or is it better?
i'm really confused now?
tour of flanders in a few weeks time should i get a 54 and a 11-20?
only i managed all the climbs with my beginner gearset last year and wondered if i should make life difficult for myself?
is it worth it for the 'pro' look?
gwaelod - guilty as charged, well, at 105 level as I couldn't afford ultegra
If this isn't a troll, it smacks of a surprisingly smug and sanctimonious attitude even for this place!
with more money and carbon fibre than sense
And that money helps bring down the price of high end stuff for you young 'uns. Get over it and give me another pie please
Who you talking about grime?
Who do you reckon?
i overtook a roadie with his dinner plate big ring grinding up a hill, my compact ultegra and 12-25 was just the ticket to dish out the humiliation.
I overtook a roadie who was walking/pushing his triple equipped carbon wonder bike up Winnats Pass. I was on my old aluminium (remember that? it was what they had before carbon fibre...) road bike with a proper 39/53 chainset. I was spinning too.
I R awesome.
I use a compact chainset but I have a Jens ratio 11-12 cassette.
>It's 'breeze', you looser!! <
'Loser'
What's Ultegra? Is that like Suntour or Sachs or something?
Well I've always slated compacts, but after a winter on one I take it all back. I now start my rides in 34 and spend about two hours progressing through the gears, and spend the last three or so hours in the 50.
Even in shandy land we have a 100k with 4300M of climbing, nice on that it was.
The actual racing bike remains 53/39 so not all is lost cynic-al
Another recently converted spinning Ultegra compact user here, and on a Spesh Tarmac too. God, the shame of it, but me and my legs are not macho enough for a double. Maybe I should change it back just to save face!! And I shave my legs too. 
No GG it's more like Zeus.
Noobs aren't allowed nice kit? Smuggy arsed troll much?
fwiw I run a dura-ace triple AND I've just ordered a 48T outer ring to replace the 53. But that's cos I'm not pro enough for big gears.
oldgit - MemberThe actual racing bike remains 53/39 so not all is lost cynic-al
Yes it is - 42-52 is fine for racing - even here in Scotland.
I have a 50-39, it is proper bo. Allows me to actually use the 11 sprocket in races.
I run a compact and I don't give a shit, but than I am also a
"mid life crisis roadie sportive rider with more money and carbon fibre than sense"
I've a compact and I don't care the man's crank was just too much with panniers on so I sold it
Is Al going to tell us about his manly geared racing experiences then?
I raced on standard 53-39, but after a few years off a compact suits me fine; nothing to prove, see?
(and yes, I know it's a troll but I'm too tired to resist; Tour of Flanders training...)
So the OP uses a double? And only a 52. Bender.
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