I've recently purchased a Specialized Elite Allez road bike and it comes with a compact chainset/gear set up - think its described as front 50-34 and rear as 12-25.
Compared to my old road bike which was a triple set-up have found the local hills a wee bit harder ie have that feeling that I want to go down another gear but am already riding on the lowest one!
Anyway, doing a race in June and they recommend for novice riders (which would include me) a triple on the front and a 12-25 on the back.
Therefore is my gear ratio way out, or will I just find the hills a bit harder than other folk??
Also is it easily to change the set up or should I just stick with the compact set-up and over time my legs will build up the strength more for hills??
Compared to my old road bike which was a triple set-up have found the local hills a wee bit harder ie have that feeling that I want to go down another gear but am already riding on the lowest one!
Anyway, doing a race in June and they recommend for novice riders (which would include me) a triple on the front and a 12-25 on the back.
Therefore is my gear ratio way out, or will I just find the hills a bit harder than other folk??
Also is it easily to change the set up or should I just stick with the compact set-up and over time my legs will build up the strength more for hills??