Compact cranks

Buy a Shimano R700.

No reason to think of anything else, unless it's for the looks.

The R700 just works compared to the others I've tried. Admittedly only 2 others but YMMV.

avalosbiker said:

I'm seriously considering going to a compact crank. The 50/39 appeals to me because I live in an area that has rolling hills and steep mountains.

Do you mean 39 or something lower like 36 or 34. Not much point going to a compact and keeping 39, right?

I had serious problems with my Truvativ compact (50/36) on my Fuji Team Pro (2006) with ULtegra and Dura-ace 10 speed. so much so that I and two others who bought these bikes got free replacements according to the owner of the LBS. I got a 53/39 Ultegra and not a single issue since. Truvativ keeps redesigning chainrings and I heard last Friday from the owner that what might have been wrong were the teeth were too thin allowing the chain to walk a bit and miss the next tooth peeling off the chain. Thats what was happening with mine. My chain would come off while sprinting in the 50/11-12-13 and sometimes 14 to the outside and would come off when back peddling in the same gears. It was not fun!!

But-many have suffered zero problems with compacts!! Just letting you know of my experiences

As for a compact on rolling terrain (thats what I have), I am in the camp of saying dont get one and get a rear cassette with a bailout gear. So if youve been using say a 12/23, try a 12/25 or even a 12/27. I felt like when I had a compact-I loved it while I was out of shape, but as I started to build fitness, I found myself at the extremes of shifting all the time. Either a 36/12 or a 50/23 and having to make big gear changes up to or back down to the big and small chain rings.

Ray

OH-I forgot-Truvativ sent the LBS very quickly a set of newly designed chainrings, but it didnt help much. So Truvative does have its CS right, but it didnt solve the issue for me. I would assume that a Shimano compact wold be the safest bet, not that others will not work!! Again-I am aware many have had no problems.

avalosbiker said:

I have a 9 speed Ultegra equipped bike, it has a 52/39 crank. I'm seriously considering going to a compact crank. The 50/39 appeals to me because I live in an area that has rolling hills and steep mountains. Has anyone swapped out their cranks for a compact crank and were there any problems with shifting. Also has anyone have any info on the Ritchy Logic Pro Compact crank?

Swapped out my 9-speed Dura Ace 53/39 crank for a 50/34 Ritchey WCS Compact last week. So far am very pleased with the result. Spend virtually all of my time on the (now slightly smaller) big ring now, and have much wider range with less overlap between large & small rings. Haven't tackled my major hill courses yet due to holidays, but am looking forward to doing so soon, unless snow and ice happen (always a possibility this time of year in New England). Got a great deal from PerformanceBike: $149US less 20% web coupon. Oh....didn't have to shorten my chain either. After derailleur adjustment, no issues shifting between rings. Plus the Ritchey Compact is fully compatible with Shimano Octalink bottom bracket. Simple off/on install, using appropriate hex wrench and Park Tools crank puller. If it matters, I have a Shimano DA 12/27 rear cogset.

My Orbea (Campy Mirage 9spd) came with FSA Gossamer compact cranks (50/34) and haven't had a single issue.

Also swapped the triple setup (cranks and mechs) on my kid's Trek 1600 with FSA Gossamers and Ultegra mechs and not a single issue on it too.

Appreciate everyones input. Will go with and try out a compact crank.