Compact groupsets are the equivalent to triple chainrings on roadbikes - uncool and only for people who are soft. That's what I always thought. Until some of my well respected female cycling friends raved about it, girls who are much stronger than I am. And I also know some male master's riders who have been racing compact groupsets for years with race results to show for.
With view of some big climbing plans next year I choose a compact groupset for my new Canyon. The 34 teeth small ring (in comparison to 39 teeth on a regular groupset) made me apprehensive. I thought I would spend even more time in the big 50 teeth chain ring than I already spend in my 53 because I like my gears big and my cadence low. I'm not the high cadence type. High cadence makes me breathless and slow. My fears were unfounded. I'm comfortably spinning away in my small(er) chainring and it probably even improves my pedalling efficiency on the flats.
But the real eye opener is the climbing. Where I used to grind my way up the 8-9% gradient McAfees training climb, cadence dropping into the low 50ies or even lower, I'm now able to sustain 65-70rpm the entire way. It makes me a much faster climber. Only yesterday I took another (!) 29 seconds off my seasonal best time (on a 6 km climb). Yes, the seasonal best that I had only posted the week before. The difference between this week and last week was that I used my heavier Powertap wheel with a 12-27 cassette last week while yesterday I used the lighter (and stiffer) Ksyrium SRs with the 11-28 cassette. Just to put this in perspective: The speed I'm climbing now, I only ever managed when I did gym work, trained 12-15 hours a week, raced and weight 2 kg less than I do now. Climbing speeds that I haven't even come close to in the past two years.
The power graph from last week also showed that I indeed put out a higher average power over the course of the climb, about 10W more. It's like gym work: if I load the leg press with 300kg I only manage 8 reps. If I put 200 I can repeat the exercise so many more times. Makes totally sense to me and I just wish I had entered the Tour of Bright to try my new compact on Mt Hotham.
But even if you are not chasing personal bests up your local climbs, I reckon the ability to ride comfortably at a faster cadence and have a gear or two to fall back on for rest and recovery on a long scenic climb is an advantage on any cycling holiday. The rides in Phuket for example would have been even more enjoyable with the compact groupset.
Alberto made a rare appearance on our Tuesday morning training climb this week, riding my Time Edge, and he reminded me that the Time is also a beautiful climbing bike. I don't really like riding it anymore but I feel that I have to take it up McAfees next Tuesday. I want to have the direct comparison with a normal 39/53 groupset and need to confirm that it is indeed the compact groupset and not me who has miraculously turned into a better climber over night.
And last but not least, when all the spinning makes me dizzy, and the whole gear selection gets too complicated, I can always just roll out on the Fixie.
6 comments:
Maybe it's YOU with the bike that makes you a better climber ;-). Back in Germany I borrowed a bike of a friend with a compact crank, and I must admit, I didn't like it. For me, I couldn't find the right gear regardless if I was climbing or in the flats... Well I do have the same problem with my current cassette, it's never right. So maybe I'm a bit picky?
BTW do I notice new shoes on your feet????
I was skeptical about compact cranksets, too! But so far, I'm loving mine. Of course, it's got a power meter built in, and that's a whole other level for me.
That is it!Compact for me next year... and I will be able to use an 11 again, without going to the gym.
As one who is mostly riding the flats, I haven't learned to love my compact crank. It took ages to feel anything approaching normal, and I now spend all my time in the big ring, which is starting to make me feel my knees a bit. I guess I need to try a hill or two and see if I can learn to like it rather than just put up with it.
...fell into mine when i put my new road bike together after my heart operation...several folks, knowing my situation, suggested a triple but my cx bike, which came first, was compact equipped & so it just made sense to built up the road machine with a compact as well...
...at that point, i already had an appreciation for the simplicity, weight & efficiency of the compact setup, despite the different types of riding...
...i love it...
...& 'pour moi' with my medical concerns, (nothing overt) spinning is mo' better to keep the blood pressure in check anyway...
Nils and Anke - Nah, the shoes are old but rarely used that's why look so shiny. :-) Finding the right gear was tricky initially on the flats and the 11 - 28 didn't make it easier with its big jumps in the higher gears (from 24t straight to 28t without a 25t or 27t in between). But I've really come around loving it and appreciate the 28t. It really doesn't mean I'm soft and put less effort. If anything I'm able to put more if you know what I mean...
Jim - Are you able to compare your power outputs of the normal gear ratio vs the compact? Are you putting more or less power on average over the length of a climb? I'd be interested to know.
AMR - Baby, a compact wouldn't do anything for you. You are already spinning the 53 - 12 uphill... LOL
Dee - You are probably a big gear masher like me. LOL Try spin-ups! Funny enough, my Fixie is teaching me to spin faster, and that somehow transfers to the compact now. Not suggesting you should get a Fixie... ;)
bgw - I didn't know you ran compact as well. Have you mentioned this before? I'm in such good company. :-) What in your opinion are the differences in riding, tell?!
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