Having considered racing this year I was thinking about the bike spec.
I am planning on using a compact chainset with an 11-21 cassette....
Accepting that the strength of the rider is the critical factor - would anyone be able to advise me on gearing? Would a bottom gear of 44 inches (ie 34x21) be too high or are most races flat enough that this would be OK - I can always put on a larger cassette for the odd hillier race.
Alternatively am I better off forking out for a 39/53 and running an 11-25 giving a bottom of 42 inches (either way I need a new cassette). This would also give me a higher top gear but a wider ratio spread and set me back another £100 or so....
I can only think of about two hills on race circuits last year that I didn't do on the big ring (and with hindsight I probably should've used it for them too....). I use 53/39 and 12-23. I've never used a compact chainset so I'm uncertain about pros/cons but your lowest gear is comfortably below anything you'll need to use on TLI or vets circuits. I'd practice the high cadence stuff for the fast downhills though...
Thanks Phil. As you're prob aware 50/11 is slightly higher than 53/12 so I'm thinking that I'll be OK with this on the fast bits - assuming I'm going fast enough!
TBH I'm trying to avoid spending too much cash but can justify a cassette as I'm needing a new one anyway as the old ones are getting a bit worn. What I don't want to do is overgear myself and get bogged down and dropped on a steep hill due to a newbie gearing mistake.
I might use the same wheel on a Spoco or 2 so I also need to see how Bulmer feels on 44 inches or so
Dave - If you want gearing for every eventuality go for 39/53 with a 12 or 13 -25 block. Dont use a compact for racing. I've used this combo for racing and training for the past 10 years. It gives you a few options - I particularly like the 53 x 23 option which measns you can big ring it up some fairly hard climbs without using the inside cog! Plus of Course 39 x 25 will get you up anything!
I am using compact with 11:23 this year, last year used 53/39 with 11:23. The way I see it is that as long as you have appropriate close ratio gearing it won't make any difference, in fact slightly closer ratio gears with 50/34 plus it's what I have, and like you, would have to spend more money.
As per various comments on Jess' thread - the problem is usually not lack of gears but simply being in the wrong one at the wrong time. Think ahead and get in the right gear to respond to what's about to happen and you'll be fine! Do a few races and if, then, you feel you desperately need to change chainset / rings / bike then you'll be more able to justify it!
A 53 ring with the 130 spider just looks better.
I ride a 12-23 because I like having a 53/18 and find the jump from 17 to 19 too much on long steady climbs.
A compact would just confuse me now but I suppose it's what you get used to. If I put a 50 on I would need an 11 then I'd lose the 18 with 11/23. I don't like 11/21 because you can't really big ring the 21.
I use a compact (50/34 with 12-25) and it's great for long rides in the hills, but I've found, not so good for racing. Even on a proper hilly course like Wetwang, I didn't need the low gears; and there were a few times, eg at Walkington on last year's EYRRL, where I couldn't spin quick enough in 50/12 on the downhill chase.
However it's not a big issue and I haven't felt the need to replace it. On almost all courses I'll be in the big ring all the way round and rarely close to the 12 at the back. Whenever I do get a new bike/crankset, I reckon I'll go back to 53/39. Stick with what you have for now. I think 11/21 or 12/23 will do you fine.
Yes Tom I think anyone racing will eventually go for a 53/39 set up, the 34 is never going to get used in a race.
I think the compact came about because the new lifestyle cyclists couldn't get up steep hills on a 39, and they didn't want to put ugly, heavy triples on their six grand colnago's...I could be wrong though.
I've run 52x39 with 12x23 in racing and also used 50x34 with 12x23 and had very few problems with gearing. If you have 50x11 top it is more than enough. I've rarely spun out on 50x12, so unless you are doing E/1/2/3, don't worry about it. 34x21 is plenty for any race. Any lower and you're not going fast enough and not in the race. Don't get hung up on looks, its the legs that do the talking.
For info, Ribble do cheap chain rings for compacts 110pcd at around£10-12 each. You can get a 38/39 inner or even a 36? You could get different outers too, to play around with. They won't last long, but are very cheap.
PMP chainrings are lovely but expensive. Some say a 53 and 39 sping better cos they are bigger, but one would not really notice the difference. Just concentrate on the racing and not touching wheels. Some people overgear when the going gets tough so prefer bigger gears, some spin faster when it hots up Lance Style. (Who he?). With your current set up you would have more than enough for most if not all racing. One of my mates, a former good first cat with many race wins under his belt now rides 50x34 with 11x23 and is happy racing on this and can also make it up Alp D'Huez.
