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Thanks for all the replies folks. I'm thinking of going for a compact and seeing how I get on with my existing cassette.
Before I bash on, would it be workable to just change the inner to a 34 ring. A quick look at Sheldon's gear ratio calculator made it look feasible (ie theres overlap of ratios), but is the jump from a 53 - 34 far to big for the front mech to handle? I think I might know the answer to that already, but thought i'd ask the experts...
Before I bash on, would it be workable to just change the inner to a 34 ring
No. Because a 34 tooth ring won't fit on the chainset you have as the distance between the fixing bolts is too big. Assuming it's Shimano, the smallest you can fit will be a 38. If you want a 34 you need to change the whole chainset.
(even if you could fit a 34, 53/34 would be a really bad idea for the reasons you identify).
Other hills are available.
Indeed - but most people live places where they can do plenty of nice road bike riding without having to go up steep hills. I mean round here there are plenty of climbs if I choose, but I could do plenty of riding with just a single 50T chainring (and a close ratio cassette) without killing myself. What're more, a lot of people don't want to spend all their time killing themselves going up hills. For all these people, normal road bike gearing isn't all that unsuitable.
One thing to remember as you hurtle down a steep descent towards a 90 right, is that [s]no matter how well you set up the brakes on the road bike, it will not slow down as well as 8" discs with M4 calipers.[/s] most mountain bikers on forums don't have a clue how well properly set up road bike brakes can stop you.
FTFY
aracer - MemberIndeed - but most people live places where they can do plenty of nice road bike riding without having to go up steep hills.
Steep is relative. To us, it needs to be pretty steep. To someone who saw a bit of the tour then popped into Halfords on the way home from work, not so steep.
When I moved to the Lakes I put a MTB 11-34 cassette and rear derailleur on my 53/39 road bike, worked fine and gave a very low gear for getting up 25% inclines (almost unavoidable on rides from here). I now have a new bike with a compact and 12-28, which I prefer as the rear shifts are closer together, slightly harder gear low gear but i got stronger.
I have a compact 34/50 chainring on my road bike, you get used to it is the only advice I can give....climbing is a bitch but clipped in and thinking of how much good its doing me has kept me going up most things so far....I say most, there was a comedy moment on an early road ride up a mild hill, I was determined to stay in the 50t ring....big mistake, halfway up both thighs simultaneously blew up and cramped....trying to unclip with cramping thighs was interesting and the jumping around on the side of the road must have amused a few drivers....I now swallow my pride and gladly drop onto the small ring on hills.
Yeah, compact.
I've got a full on race bike that came with full 9 speed dura ace and 7800 53/39 crankset - deciding that wasn't anywhere near niche enough for me, I fitted campag 10 spd brifters (using shimergo cable clamp modge method) and whilst I've not had any call for easier gears with a 13-25, I have an 11-32 and XT mech ready to put on the rear the minute I do any proper hilly riding like the alps or UK national parks.