GTOscott wrote:
44T chainring and 36T cassette yields a climbing ratio of 1.22 vs a ratio of 1.21 with the prior compact set up of 34T chainring and 28T cassette cog. 44T chainring and 11T cassette yeilds a top speed ratio of 4.00 vs a ratio of 4.55 with the prior compact set up of 50T chainring and 11T cassette cog
When I switch to 46T CX1 Chainring when available:
46T chainring and 36T cassette cog yeilds a climbing ratio of 1.28 (which is more than enough to climb the steep hills around Bloomington, Indiana easily)
46T chainring and 11T cassette cog yeilds a top speed ratio of 4.18 (just 8% less top end than compact 50/11 gearing so should be good for just about everything)
This doesn't work for me for two reasons. A) I can, and do, often spin out a 52x11 gear. B) The jumps between cogs on a 36x11 cassette are way too big for me. Personally I get more out of 52/38 with a 23x11 cassette. I can still climb well, it's harder to spin out and when I do I am going quite a bit faster and I get very tight, compact jumps up and down the cassette.
That said to each their own and I am glad to hear it works for you.
Now on a MTB I completely agree with you :) On a MTB I am never spinning out as I am hanging on for dear life well before that happens and the extra big cogs sure make it easier to climb rocky and rooted routes.
I'll edit this to add it might also be different on the distance of your race. Hammering hard in a sprint or Oly you might need more than the 46x11 but long steady efforts like 70.3 or 140.6 it might be sufficient.
Rodney
TrainingPeaks | Altra Running | RAD Roller
http://www.goinglong.ca