i'm gonna convert my SSCX bike into a 10spd 105 thing of gears for commuting into work and off road trail riding.
the 34/50t 105 chainset (11/28 rear) has me thinking that i'll never push the 50t/11t combo on undulating roads or off road
whadda ya thinks
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34/50 & 11:28 works well for me on-road, but for off-road I'd be wanting some lower gears.
34/50 or 36/50 and 11/28 is a pretty standard set-up on the CX bikes we've sold.
currently set up SS as 38 / 18 for off road so was figuring i can always get off and carry if needs be (its allowed with a CX bike)
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druid - yea but all the Kona range are 46/36 as are the RaceFace chainsets
i'm a spinner not a pusher btw
26/48 and an 11:34 on the back would be what I'd go with, but then I'm slow and unfit. Depends what type of off-roading though - that'd be to ride the same sort of trails I take the mountain bike on.
34/46 would be my choice. I find the 50 not hard, but just a bit impracticle off road. In a 46 it's easier to do some of the stop/starts you get on trails. Plus 46 seems a little better on the road if you have cross tyres fitted.
Try Spa Cycles they do masses of chain rings, Stronglight are their cheapest.
I cannot imagine 50/34 being standard for cross bikes, that's a strange comment. Even Sven Nys uses a 46 when it's twisty and muddy. A 50 off road is hard work! I'd say go 46 or 48. I commute with a 46x12 and I never find it too small but then I'm not fussed about maximum speed when commuting.
46/39 on my 'cross bike, with a 28t cassette. Use the 46t a fair bit off-road & whilst 39/28 is easily manageable if I was starting from scratch I'd probably drop to 36t.
I'd err on the size of smaller and spin a bit faster, I'd find 50 a handful offroad.. a 46 chainring isn't too much of an outlay to find out and would resell easily if you're stronger than I.