Hi Fella Tri geeks
Anybody had any experience with big chain rings smaller that the standard 53? I would like to get something like a 50 (like drug cheat tyler uses) so that I actually use the big chain, my little chicken legs arent strong enough to push the 53 around and if I do its way up on the cassette and you get a nasty kink in the chain
Cheers
Check out Harris Cyclery – they have a pretty broad selection. I use a 52, so not too far from what you’re using.
Before doing so, however, check how much available adjustment you have with your front der., especially if it’s braze-on.
I first went to 50 tooth, but everyone has them now, so I am currently on a 48 tooth large chainring and a 34 small. I figure if Lance has an engine that certainly exceeds mine by 10%, I should have no issue using gearing that is 10% undergeared compared to him.
On that note, as far as I have seen I was the “Fastest Man on a 48 tooth Chainring” at: Muskoska, Tupper Lake Half, Peterborough Half, ironman LP, 1000 Islands Olympic and Canadian half Iron. Seriously, a 48x12 is more than enough gearing in Tris while a 48x25 really allows you to stay in the big ring for hammering over rollers/small climbs.
I have compact 50/34 cranks on my road bike and will never go back to 53/39.
You can just buy a 50 ring if you want to keep the cranks you already have, but a 38 small ring is as far as you can go without going to compacts. I know Stronglight makes a 50 ring but assume that others must also.
TA Specialites:
I switched from the 53 to a 50, for the same reasons. Then I went down to a 48 where I plan on staying. I currently have a 50 tooth ring with less than 50 miles on it, 130mm bolt pattern looking for a new home, although I suspect that you’ll be looking for a 48 very soon as well. I’m currently running a 48/39 on a 12-27 cassette, and I have a nice chainline in a variety of gears that allow me to stay on the big ring while riding the flats between the 85-100 RPM / 19 - 23 MPH range.
The 50 tooth ring is made by salsa, brushed aluminum color, paid $38 at LBS. The new 48 ring is an FSA, black, also under $40 - bought online at universalcycles.com
If you want to try the 50, I’ll sell it for 1/2 plus S&H.
Hi a fellow Cervelo owner here. I have had the opposite experience with compacts - I used a compact on the road bike this year and found it hard to get into the right gear. I road race and found myself always at the extreme ends on the cassette on the small ring, also found myself riding the 50x21 a lot as well. I know a few guys who race in the higher cats riding compacts but I cant seem to get it to work for me. However I do like the 50.
I went to a compact (50/34) when I built my roadie last year, and find the 34 to be rather difficult to use. It’s great for slogging up mountains, but for normal riding conditions I find myself very close to, or crossed over a lot of the time. Went to a 36 and much prefer it.
If I’m spinning out the 50x12, I might as well just coast - I’m going downhill anyway.
Hi a fellow Cervelo owner here. I have had the opposite experience with compacts - I used a compact on the road bike this year and found it hard to get into the right gear. I road race and found myself always at the extreme ends on the cassette on the small ring, also found myself riding the 50x21 a lot as well. I know a few guys who race in the higher cats riding compacts but I cant seem to get it to work for me. However I do like the 50.
No comprendo. If it is a big problem get a 50-36. That is virtually the same relative difference as a 53-39. The 34 small ring is just about half a rear gear different,…I think.
I’ve it said that 16 tooth difference will make it harder to shift.
“16 tooth difference will make it harder to shift.”
So they say, but I’m running 56/39 and it shifts great (Dura Ace). I’ve been told that I’ll need a long cage (triple rear) if I want to run an 11-25 or 11-27, but so far I’ve had no trouble with 11-23 or 12-25.
Oops! I meant to write the 'I’ve heard it said…"
I switched to a 50/38 with 12-23 earlier this year. I love the 50, and the 50-12 combo is plenty for me solo riding. I would I’m going to switch out the rear to a 12-27, and I think that will be a great combination, while avoiding the need to switch to a compact crank.
Don’t fall for IronKiwi’s protestations.
He rode the 53 this morning and went off the front at 37kph, into the wind! Kinked chain or not!
AAAAANNNNDDD his legs aint that chiken-like, he’s just weak of mind! and he follows a crowd (now that everyone is going for lower gearing, he finally discovered spinning)
Hey just because Im a hammerhead doesnt mean Im smart…