Crank Configurations

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Permalink Reply by Chris Mayhew on February 14, 2011 at 12:59pm

Probably not. You need to figure out if the crank offering(s) are standard (130 BCD) or compact  (110BCD). "Standard compact" is mixing your terms. I suspect you're looking at both BCDs.

 

Any compact crank will accomodate 46/38, although you can also get standard rings in those sizes as well.

 

I'd also argue 46t is too big for 'cross racing although handy for other things.

 

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Permalink Reply by Joel on February 14, 2011 at 1:09pm

Thanks.  So if I'm hearing you right, if i get a crank advertised as "compact" (w/ a 50/34 110bcd), I will be able to go with the 46/38, though likely not the bigger configurations (which is fine with me)

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Permalink Reply by Chris Mayhew on February 14, 2011 at 1:19pm

Correct.

Moreover, you can get compact rings all the way up to standard size rings.

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Permalink Reply by DStudley on February 14, 2011 at 3:58pm

I have to agree that the compact (110BCD) gives the most ideal range for cross gearing.

 

I have played alot with ring configurations over the past few seasons and found 46/36 to be the ideal for myself when paired with a 11-26 cassette.  Much of this season I tried running a 48/38 setup, but some courses felt like I spent too much time totally cross chained.  My wife has settled on running a 44/36 as her ideal so it will vary from person to person based on racing style and level.

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