I used to have a compact on my summer bike but generally found it was to lower geared and was only using the bottom half of my cassette (except climbs) so I switched to a standard, now I find that I'm now mostly using the top half of the cassette! I have seen people mention super compacts with 52/36 chainrings which I think would suit me perfectly. Does anyone actually manufacture these or is it just swapping chainrings, which would be preferable, and who makes such chainrings and will they fit a standard chainset?
Many thanks in advance.
It's "mid compact" you're looking for. You can buy mid-compact chainsets, but they're just the same as compact or standard (depending on manufacturer), just with different sized rings.
So: if you're happy with your current cranks, just swap the rings out. First result on google is some praxis works ones, but there are lots of manufacturers making them (I've gone with Rotor).
they're just the same as compact or standard (depending on manufacturer), just with different sized rings.
Not really, you can't fit smaller than a 38t on a 130mm BCD, so they're compacts with larger rings, rather than standard cranks with smaller rings - ie if you have 53/39 you can't fit them unless you have current Shimano cranks.
To that end - Shimano do it with their newest chainsets - Dura Ace 9000, Ultegra 6800 and 105 5800, and because of their asymetric spider you can do it on the same cranks as 53/39 or 50/34, without flexy chainrings.
What cassette are you using? 12/25? Swapping cogs will be cheaper than a new crankset. Try 11/23 on your compact. You may be surprised. Although I am also thinking of moving to 52/36 on my race bike when I change from silver 52/39 to black Ultegra.
Not really, you can't fit smaller than a 38t on a 130mm BCD, so they're compacts with larger rings, rather than standard cranks with smaller rings
You're right - my mistake! Compact and mid-compact both run 110mm BCD on 5-arm cranks. I do like Shimanos new 4-arm design which takes any size though - a new standard that actually has a useful benefit 😮
"Chainring flex" LOL
"Chainring flex" LOL
My FSA SL-K flexes so much I'm pretty sure it's now got a permanent bend.
Awsum powerz