Upgrades on a new bike?

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Permalink Reply by DStudley on March 30, 2011 at 2:07pm

As a cyclocross bike the only change outside of personal preference things link bars and saddle would be more cross specific chainring sizing (assuming the compact is 34-50).  That ratio will likely have you constantly cross chained or shifting between rings racing. 

I assume that there is a range of opinion on best combination for cross, but I have found 36-46 to be ideal for myself. 

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Permalink Reply by Mike Wahlin on March 30, 2011 at 3:15pm

Thanks for the advice.  Any suggestions on a chainring brand?  I did stumble on Wickwerks..

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Permalink Reply by DStudley on March 30, 2011 at 3:42pm

I have only personally used FSA rings for cross, but am happy with them.  My wife did run the Rotor Q-rings for a couple of seasons and felt they just didn't shift as well negating the supposed gain of the ovalized rings.  When she went back to standard FSA rings we gave them to some teammates who swear by the q-rings so it is all perspective.  Generally my issue has been what is readily availabilty.

I am sure there are people on the forum that have experimented with all the different brands and have better opinions on rings.  

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