Switching from Compact to Standard

[madzo14]

I'm currently running a 50/34 compact up front and a 11-28 on the rear (Ultegra 6800)and want to change to a standard 53/39. Most of the races here are pretty much flat with the odd drag or short sharp climb, and top guy in my club was saying it would be beneficial to change to a standard especially for racing.

What I really want to know is, is it pretty much a straight swap from one to the other or is there some adjustments to be made?

Cheers!

[47p2]

With you already having the 6800 crank arms it's simply a matter of changing the rings to whatever you require from the list of 34, 36, 39, 46, 50, 52, 53
You will also have to move the front derailleur position and possibly reset the adjustment screws to accommodate the new rings

[whatleytom]

You'll probably need a new/longer chain too.

[fromage]

I would only change if you find you are running out of gears, I know a few people racing at a decent level on compacts.

[Steve vRS]

I was wondering this too but I only ever spin out on long descents and to be honest need the 34-28 on steeper climbs. Heck, for the Fred Whitton, I'll be putting a 30 on the back!

Steve

[Tiddy1]

Don't go with what other people say, you know if you are running out of gears not them. But if you do swap then probably cheaper to buy a new crankset as opposed to just the cogs. you may need a few extra links in the chain but that depends on how the current chain length is set up. just go big cog to big chainring and you want a couple of links more than having the rear mech pulled fully forward

[TwistingMyMelon]

I prefer a double to compact, esp on the flat, tis hilly round me as well.

I actually prefer a double for the little ring, which I use up to 25mph , only use the big ring above that unless going mental

[Roger Irrelevant]

Tiddy1 said:

Don't go with what other people say, you know if you are running out of gears not them.

This. Unless you find you're spinning out on a regular basis (which seems v. unlikely on a 50x11 in mostly flat races), I don't see that moving to a standard set up is clearly better. I know plenty of people that do well in races with compacts, and plenty that do well with a highest gear of 53x12 (which is lower than 50x11), so you could well find that you've gone through a load of hassle for no real benefit.

[Daveyraveygravey]

Have you thought about a mid (or pro, whatever they are calling it this week!) compact of 52-36? I am on a 53-39 currently but the new bike will be 52-36. I don't race but have always preferred standard to compact. I think/hope the mid compact with an 11-28 will give me a perfect range.
When I first got the bike it has a 12-25 9 speed cassette, which was lovely and the jumps from one cassette to the next were nice and close. I did notice that on long climbs, although I could get up anything in the se, anyone on a compact would sit and spin and gradually open a gap on me as I pounded on the pedals out of the saddle. I have since changed to 12-27 (noticeable improvement on the climbs) and the latest is 12-29 but 10 speed. I am starting to see gaps in the cassette at certain places but can live with it for option of staying seated longer in the climbs.

[Ponk]

47p2 said:

With you already having the 6800 crank arms it's simply a matter of changing the rings to whatever you require from the list of 34, 36, 39, 46, 50, 52, 53
You will also have to move the front derailleur position and possibly reset the adjustment screws to accommodate the new rings

You would think so but the 6800 outer ring in particular is horrifically expensive. Probably better to sell your crankset complete and buying another in the size you want.

I've recently switched from 50/34 to 52/36. It's a nice middle ground in my opinion.

[whatleytom]

Ponk said:

You would think so but the 6800 outer ring in particular is horrifically expensive. Probably better to sell your crankset complete and buying another in the size you want.

I've recently switched from 50/34 to 52/36. It's a nice middle ground in my opinion.

Made the same switch recently when I built my new bike. No complaints here either. Have the choice of 11-25 and 11-28 cassettes as well. Prefer the spacing on the 11-25 there though.

[madzo14]

Daveyraveygravey said:

Have you thought about a mid (or pro, whatever they are calling it this week!) compact of 52-36? I am on a 53-39 currently but the new bike will be 52-36. I don't race but have always preferred standard to compact. I think/hope the mid compact with an 11-28 will give me a perfect range.
When I first got the bike it has a 12-25 9 speed cassette, which was lovely and the jumps from one cassette to the next were nice and close. I did notice that on long climbs, although I could get up anything in the se, anyone on a compact would sit and spin and gradually open a gap on me as I pounded on the pedals out of the saddle. I have since changed to 12-27 (noticeable improvement on the climbs) and the latest is 12-29 but 10 speed. I am starting to see gaps in the cassette at certain places but can live with it for option of staying seated longer in the climbs.

The 52-36 might be a good option actually. Best of both worlds, with the exception races most of my club runs involve plenty of climbing.

[47p2]

Daveyraveygravey said:

Have you thought about a mid (or pro, whatever they are calling it this week!)

Semi compact chainset is what you're thinking of at 52T-36

Explanation here

[Ponk]

whatleytom said:

Ponk said:

You would think so but the 6800 outer ring in particular is horrifically expensive. Probably better to sell your crankset complete and buying another in the size you want.

I've recently switched from 50/34 to 52/36. It's a nice middle ground in my opinion.

Made the same switch recently when I built my new bike. No complaints here either. Have the choice of 11-25 and 11-28 cassettes as well. Prefer the spacing on the 11-25 there though.

Yup, I run 11-25 on the race bike (using the term loosely) and 11-28 on my winter, commuting etc bike. I'm on 10 speed though so I reckon an 11 speed 11-28 would give you all that you need.

[AyBee]

47p2 said:

You will also have to move the front derailleur position and possibly reset the adjustment screws to accommodate the new rings

Unless you have di2, in which case it's 1 bolt to move up and down slightly and bob is your mother's brother

[Barchettaman]

He´s the top guy in your club, and is most likely happier on a standard crank.

You´re not the top guy, and have an extremely sensible gearing choice, my friend.

I wouldn´t cock about with your current set up.

[okgo]

Little ring up to 25mph twisting my melon...?? You mean to say you barely use the big ring? Why...?

As for OP depends what level you're racing. Most races that I class as flat you don't ever come off the big ring anyway so can't see that a 59 with 11-23 would be any issue

[TwistingMyMelon]

okgo said:

Little ring up to 25mph twisting my melon...?? You mean to say you barely use the big ring? Why...?

As for OP depends what level you're racing. Most races that I class as flat you don't ever come off the big ring anyway so can't see that a 59 with 11-23 would be any issue

Always used to mash the gears , when got into club riding realised legs tire before lungs hence stay on the 39 ring as long as possible . Copied a few of the ex older semi pros I rode with and paid off for me .

if I was doing a TT or race I'd be in the big ring anything else I don't often bother , once did 180 mile ride @ 17mph av on my own and never left the small ring !

[Daveyraveygravey]

TwistingMyMelon said:

Always used to mash the gears , when got into club riding realised legs tire before lungs hence stay on the 39 ring as long as possible . Copied a few of the ex older semi pros I rode with and paid off for me .

if I was doing a TT or race I'd be in the big ring anything else I don't often bother , once did 180 mile ride @ 17mph av on my own and never left the small ring !

Might have to try that, I've got into the habit of always being in the big ring unless my speed drops below a certain number.

[S10GTA]

Daveyraveygravey said:

Might have to try that, I've got into the habit of always being in the big ring unless my speed drops below a certain number.

It's more about revolutions. You should find what is comfortable and try and maintain it. Somewhere around 90-100 revolutions per minute is a good starting point.