compact crank on a cross bike

GEORGE SCHRECK

2006-06-29

I use a compact but run the 34 as it allows me to use a 12-23. It
results in even less chain and the 12-23 shifts better than the 12-27
as it does not have to climb to the limit of a standard road
derailluer. As for the big ring, I seldom use it, as our courses have
very few fast paved flat sections where you need a big ring. I think I
would go with the smaller big ring like the 44, as it is more likely
that you will be able to use it and you can make the chain even
shorter. You can go very fast in a 44/12 or 13.

----Original Message----
From: pdx_ccx@hotmail.com
Date: 06/29/2006 10:44 AM
To: ,
Subj: Re: [OBRA Chat] compact crank on a cross bike

Dan,

If you go compact, do something like 44/36. And run a road deraileur
on the
rear. You want a chainring you will spend most of your time using. The
other
one is for 'special' situations -- like climbing hills or sprinting on
the
flats. If you feel confident pusing a 44 most of the race and shift
down for
the hills, go compact. If you would rather push a 39 for most of the
race
and shift up (to say a 46) for the fast bits, then go standard.

Cyclocross benefits a tighter chain. Use the chainring, cassette,
deraileur
combination that will keep your chain tight and still work for you.
Dropped
chains suck and the WILL happen. A flappy chain is just asking to
drop.

FWIW, I run 46/39 with 12-27 on one bike and 48/38 with 12-27 on
another. I
think I like the 46/39 better.

And someone around here might mention that Dale Knapp runs a 44/39.
Methinks
he mashes the 44 most of the race ...

Brooke Hoyer

>From: Dan Davis
>To: obra@list.obra.org
>Subject: [OBRA Chat] compact crank on a cross bike
>Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2006 14:57:38 -0700
>
>Hey OBRA land
>Im building up a new Cross bike and Im thinking of putting a compact
crank
>on with 50/34 rings instead of the 48/39 I have now. Has any one
tried this
>and how did it work? Gearing to high or to low?
>Thanx
>Dan
>

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Brooke Hoyer

2006-06-29

Dan,

If you go compact, do something like 44/36. And run a road deraileur on the
rear. You want a chainring you will spend most of your time using. The other
one is for 'special' situations -- like climbing hills or sprinting on the
flats. If you feel confident pusing a 44 most of the race and shift down for
the hills, go compact. If you would rather push a 39 for most of the race
and shift up (to say a 46) for the fast bits, then go standard.

Cyclocross benefits a tighter chain. Use the chainring, cassette, deraileur
combination that will keep your chain tight and still work for you. Dropped
chains suck and the WILL happen. A flappy chain is just asking to drop.

FWIW, I run 46/39 with 12-27 on one bike and 48/38 with 12-27 on another. I
think I like the 46/39 better.

And someone around here might mention that Dale Knapp runs a 44/39. Methinks
he mashes the 44 most of the race ...

Brooke Hoyer

>From: Dan Davis
>To: obra@list.obra.org
>Subject: [OBRA Chat] compact crank on a cross bike
>Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2006 14:57:38 -0700
>
>Hey OBRA land
>Im building up a new Cross bike and Im thinking of putting a compact crank
>on with 50/34 rings instead of the 48/39 I have now. Has any one tried this
>and how did it work? Gearing to high or to low?
>Thanx
>Dan
>

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>OBRA mailing list
>obra@list.obra.org
>http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

_________________________________________________________________
On the road to retirement? Check out MSN Life Events for advice on how to
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Ron and Dorothy Strasser

2006-06-29

I run 34/48
----- Original Message -----
From: "Erik Voldengen"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2006 4:19 PM
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] compact crank on a cross bike

>I think the 34 would be great, but the 50 is too big.
>
> Maybe try 34x46.
>
> Your chain will be shorter, and that means less likelihood of coming off
> in
> a race. I doubt you'd need more than a 46x12 in any of the venues we
> have.
>
> -Erik
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
>> Behalf Of Dan Davis
>> Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2006 2:58 PM
>> To: obra@list.obra.org
>> Subject: [OBRA Chat] compact crank on a cross bike
>>
>> Hey OBRA land
>> Im building up a new Cross bike and Im thinking of putting a compact
>> crank
>> on with 50/34 rings instead of the 48/39 I have now. Has any one tried
>> this and how did it work? Gearing to high or to low?
>> Thanx
>> Dan
>
>
>
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> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
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>


Tim Schauer

2006-06-28

I use a compact crank and I like running the 50/36 with a mountain bike
derailleur. Using either a 12-25 cassette or a 11-32 mtb cassette
depending on course and conditions. I'm not a skilled runner and opt to
ride some climbs that other more skillful crosser just fly up on two
feet.

-Tim

-----Original Message-----
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of Erik Voldengen
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2006 4:19 PM
To: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] compact crank on a cross bike

I think the 34 would be great, but the 50 is too big.

Maybe try 34x46.

Your chain will be shorter, and that means less likelihood of coming off
in a race. I doubt you'd need more than a 46x12 in any of the venues we
have.

-Erik

> -----Original Message-----
> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org]
> On Behalf Of Dan Davis
> Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2006 2:58 PM
> To: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: [OBRA Chat] compact crank on a cross bike
>
> Hey OBRA land
> Im building up a new Cross bike and Im thinking of putting a compact
> crank on with 50/34 rings instead of the 48/39 I have now. Has any one

> tried this and how did it work? Gearing to high or to low?
> Thanx
> Dan

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Erik Voldengen

2006-06-28

I think the 34 would be great, but the 50 is too big.

Maybe try 34x46.

Your chain will be shorter, and that means less likelihood of coming off in
a race. I doubt you'd need more than a 46x12 in any of the venues we have.

-Erik

> -----Original Message-----
> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
> Behalf Of Dan Davis
> Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2006 2:58 PM
> To: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: [OBRA Chat] compact crank on a cross bike
>
> Hey OBRA land
> Im building up a new Cross bike and Im thinking of putting a compact crank
> on with 50/34 rings instead of the 48/39 I have now. Has any one tried
> this and how did it work? Gearing to high or to low?
> Thanx
> Dan


Dan Davis

2006-06-28

Hey OBRA land
I?m building up a new Cross bike and I?m thinking of putting a compact crank on with 50/34 rings instead of the 48/39 I have now. Has any one tried this and how did it work? Gearing to high or to low?
Thanx
Dan?