A little confused, understand the concept of compact cranks. Was under the impression they work best with 700 wheels. A set up with compacts and 650 wheels would be a bit of overkill.
Am I correct in that assumption?
Friend of mine is doing the 650 + compact combo is what precipitated the question. Is it viable on 650 wheels?
Thanks,
fal7
Depends on what cassette you’re using and how hilly a course you’re climbing. I’ve got compacts on my 700 road bike. They work well with 11/23 cassette on flatter courses and with 12/25 for hill rides.
Riding a 50/34 with 11/23 on 650’s would be about the equivalent of 50/34 with 12/25 on 700’s.
It’s possible that you could spin out a 50/11 with 650’s on a downhill, but at that speed it’s usually more beneficial to tuck aero and coast.
comparing it to a 700 may not be a fair assesment. a 650 rider is smaller and a 650 to her is a 700 to you. best thing to compare a 650 with is a 650. If a compact crank affords him/her better gearing, then it’s better gearing.
My 650 bike came with 55-44 chain rings so dropping to a 50 is a little more drop than from a 700 bike dropping from a 53. I have a spreadsheet with the comparisons on them in you want it. Still, I am going to a 50-39 and keeping a 12-23 on the rear to get me in a better range to ride in.
Your strength, riding ability and race conditions should dictate what you ride on. Don’t do it cuz everyone else is doing it, do it cuz it’s right for you.
jaretj
Thanks for the reply. Would like to see the spreadsheet if OK. Email address is on my profile.
Concept of compact + 650 intrigues me because I do duathlons mainly. If I can spin at 90+ thinking legs would be fresher for 2nd run.
Again Thanks,
fal7