Well, I've been running a standard Campy front Der. with my compact cranks for over a year now, and the setup works about 90% as well as when I had standard size cranks.
10% is a bitch.
I did a stage race this weekend - Mast. A's.
Won the TT, and fell into second after the crit due to the time bonus sprint (I finished 5th in the crit, time bonus for top 3...)
It all comes down to the RR.
Finish is about 3K of false headwind flat after the main climb of the day, which is about 5k long.
I'm the best climber in the field, and I KNOW I can open the gap on the hill.
I'm in good position, the field hits the last k of the climb, I get out of the saddle, shift to the big ring, and...
...nothing.
I'm still in the 36.
I can't get into the big ring until after the top of the climb.
I climb the last bit of the climb in the 36x12 or so, but it's just not enough, and they bring me back right after the top.
I lose another time bonus and finish 3rd on GC.
Darnit.
.
Tech writer/support on this here site. FIST school instructor and certified bike fitter. Formerly at Diamondback Bikes, LeMond Fitness, FSA, TiCycles, etc.
Coaching and bike fit - http://source-e.net/ Cyclocross blog - https://crosssports.net/ BJJ instruction - https://ballardbjj.com/
10% is a bitch.
I did a stage race this weekend - Mast. A's.
Won the TT, and fell into second after the crit due to the time bonus sprint (I finished 5th in the crit, time bonus for top 3...)
It all comes down to the RR.
Finish is about 3K of false headwind flat after the main climb of the day, which is about 5k long.
I'm the best climber in the field, and I KNOW I can open the gap on the hill.
I'm in good position, the field hits the last k of the climb, I get out of the saddle, shift to the big ring, and...
...nothing.
I'm still in the 36.
I can't get into the big ring until after the top of the climb.
I climb the last bit of the climb in the 36x12 or so, but it's just not enough, and they bring me back right after the top.
I lose another time bonus and finish 3rd on GC.
Darnit.
.
Tech writer/support on this here site. FIST school instructor and certified bike fitter. Formerly at Diamondback Bikes, LeMond Fitness, FSA, TiCycles, etc.
Coaching and bike fit - http://source-e.net/ Cyclocross blog - https://crosssports.net/ BJJ instruction - https://ballardbjj.com/