Sign me up for a compact specific front der

Triathlon Forum
1

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.

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2

Interesting. Are you using a 52 x 36?

I’m looking at getting a 52 x 36, and switching out my 52 x 42 x 30. I was kind of hoping I could get away with my current derailleur, but maybe 16 teeth is just a bit too big of a jump…

Is there only one compact specific derailleur out there right now?

3

I run 50x36 with 11x23 or 21.

It’s not the gap, it’s the radius of the ring; the der. wants to see a certain size ring when it goes up for the shift, and it ain’t seeing it with the 50…

There are 2 different compact specific fdr’s on the market, the IRD and the Campy. Both will work with either Campy or Shimano shift levers.

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4

So it sounds like I would be OK with the 52 x 36…

5

Should be fine - worked OK for Basso…

6

look at the ird compact fd or use a dura-ace standard. whatever you do, don’t get a campy compact front derailleur.

7

What do you have against the Campy?

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9

Thanks for the post, but really, I don’t need mechanical advice.

I’m a certified bike mechanic, a machinist, a master level sawyer, have designed bike frames for a living, build and repair complex musical instruments for pay - and, oh yeah - I was the customer service/warranty guy for the company that manufactured my cranks. I know what I’m talking about.

90% means your shifting is perfect until that one day when you really, really need it. You just haven’t had that day yet.

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10

I’m a certified bike mechanic, a machinist, a master level sawyer, have designed bike frames for a living, build and repair complex musical instruments for pay - and, oh yeah - I was the customer service/warranty guy for the company that manufactured my cranks. I know what I’m talking about.

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Sorry. My mistake. I assumed that you were posting an actual request for advice from the forum. I see now that you were merely posting race results thinly disguised as a request for advice.

11

Funny - I don’t see ANY requests for advice in that post; don’t need it, don’t want it.

More along the lines of “look out - this could happen to you.”

I, like you, didn’t have problems with my compact crank/standard der. set up for quite a long time.

Unlike you, I knew this was not a perfect setup, but it worked fine, so I kept it.

Wooops.

Cost me a race, and about the amount of money I saved not buying the right derailleur.

Thanks for the advice, though.

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12

I have the IRD. Not as pretty as the Campy, but it works fine.

13

I have one on my rig. I am only pushing 48/36. I think the huge gaps between the 50/34 guys is a lot to ask for a front D. At $40 it is a pretty good deal as well. Not as purdy as Campy, but pretty nice.

14

I am only pushing 48/36.
No wonder you’re ignorant about aero wheels… you don’t go fast enough for them to matter!

15

Since it sounds like you are an expert, what do you think of using one of those ‘triple’ front derailleurs like a shimano ultegra on a compact? Do you think that would help avoid the chain dropping off to the inside?

16

Since it sounds like you are an expert, what do you think of using one of those ‘triple’ front derailleurs like a shimano ultegra on a compact? Do you think that would help avoid the chain dropping off to the inside?

Doesn’t work. Use a double.

17

“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.”

Record will be pissed, but chalk a point up here for Shimano. My ShimaNO front der. works 100% as good with compacts as it did with regular size cranks.

18

My ShimaNO front der. works 100% as good with compacts as it did with regular size cranks.

Ditto. Like butta.