Hi guys im bit of a bike novice looking for some advice about my current dilemma. Recently got an awesome deal on a Cannondale supersix compact 50/34 (12-27) after having used a Specialised allez triple 52/42/30 for around two years. Im struggling to get used to the gap in gearing on the 50/34, mainly because the big ring is too hard for me on quite hilly terrain but then feel like im going nowhere when I switch to the small ring. On the specialised i would spend most of the ride in middle ring unless on easy flats or descents. I like using a higher cadence in general, and although im not a particularly strong rider, i can average around 17/18 mph on most rides with the specialised but now find im much slower on the cannondale! Only got the cannondale because i fancied a change and it was a steal but now starting to have regrets! Any possible solutions for changing the gearing? Or just try and get fitter and stronger?
Advice Needed!
- Thread starter jwaltz86
- Start date
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sreten
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Brighton, UK
Hi,
You need to change your front and rear gearing habits, though I can't see any
point changing 52/42/30 to 50/34, but it is obvious you miss the middle ring,
and that you didn't use the outer rings as much as you could have.
You need to use the the 50/34 with your rear effectively. That is change
up 3 (or 4) gears on the rear after dropping to the small ring immediately.
Similarly precede changing up to the big ring with a 3 (or 4) gear drop.
There is no reason your new gearing should make you slower.
rgds, sreten.
I've got 52/42 and change the front about every half hour.typically.
The gears overlap to such an extent its usually a 2 gear change
on the rear to be nearly in the same gear when changing.
14,16,18,20,22,24,28 rear FWIW.
On my routes I change the front pre-emptively, on the flat.
42 into the wind and any upcoming hills.
52 with the wind, flat and downhill.
You need to change your front and rear gearing habits, though I can't see any
point changing 52/42/30 to 50/34, but it is obvious you miss the middle ring,
and that you didn't use the outer rings as much as you could have.
You need to use the the 50/34 with your rear effectively. That is change
up 3 (or 4) gears on the rear after dropping to the small ring immediately.
Similarly precede changing up to the big ring with a 3 (or 4) gear drop.
There is no reason your new gearing should make you slower.
rgds, sreten.
I've got 52/42 and change the front about every half hour.typically.
The gears overlap to such an extent its usually a 2 gear change
on the rear to be nearly in the same gear when changing.
14,16,18,20,22,24,28 rear FWIW.
On my routes I change the front pre-emptively, on the flat.
42 into the wind and any upcoming hills.
52 with the wind, flat and downhill.
Last edited:
Dave Davenport
Guru
- Location
- Hampshire
And the STI's, rear mech, front mech and bottom bracket.
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
Change the small ring to a 36 assuming you dont need the lower gearing of the 34 ?
When i change down on a compact to the small ring i generally up shift the rear 1 gear as well .
When i change down on a compact to the small ring i generally up shift the rear 1 gear as well .
Cyclist33
Guest
- Location
- Warrington
You'll get used to it with time and the humans' infinite capacity to adapt!
Ditto what everyone else is saying, went from a triple on my Giant SCR2 to a full on race 53/39 on my current bike. Took me a while to suss out the gearing at first but efficient use of the rear cassette gearing and there should be no issues. For info hardly use the 39 at the front unless a mega steep hill or warming down. However my terrain may be different from yours. Think its a bit of MTFU 
