Switching Compact to Standard

[jason7878]

I'm contemplating getting a new 105 11sp groupset. Right now I've got a Sram Rival compact 10sp with 12-17 cassette. I average 80-85rpm. The 21 rear cog on the 50 is the central location of all my gearing so it seems like too much front derailleur shifting and cross chaining.

From a couple gear calculators I'm looking - on a standard crankset with a 12-27 - it seems then if I rode same - the 17 or 16 cog on the 39 would become my central - so I'd be getting a standard really to ride almost all the time in the 39 and have less of a gap between gears...

Does this make any sense? Opinions needed.

http://s32.postimg.org/fxa5bvd39/Screen_Shot_2016_05_08_at_1_38_39_PM.png

[spartanKid]

So it sounds like if you got a standard, you'd essentially be running a 1x11 drive train with a 53T bashguard? That seems like a waste.

On your current compact, how often do you use the 34? You'd lose at least a couple low range gears by going with a standard.

Assuming you're not road racing and don't have to do long, 45 mph + descents very often, why not try something like a 46/36 or 44/34 crankset, assuming you can find one? 46-36 with an 11-28 gives you smaller gaps between gears and less cross chaining on the big ring, 50-21 is the same as 46-19 or 44-18.

[kramnnim]

52/36 is a nice happy medium.

[Lewis Moon]

I run a 53/39 on my "flatland" bike and a 50/34 on my "hill" bike.

[Black Dog]

52/36 is a nice happy medium.

This, this and this.

[FlashUNC]

Wait...a 50-34 is too tall, so you want to go to a standard?

As others suggested, if you want to go further down in the back with your big ring usage, time to seek out a smaller big ring. Like a 46-34 or something.

[Dead Man]

What group are you coming from? you'll probably find your new 5800 group front shifts way better than whatever you've been using, and won't mind changing rings as much... so the tendency to cross chain will be much less.

I haven't ridden 5800... but front shifting between my 7900 and 9000 groups is craY night and day. I double-shift all the time... smooth as butta.

[PSC]

I actually switched my compact from a 50t to a 46t for the very reason of being in the middle of the cassette. I now find I rarely ride the 34t. I don't ride in groups, I don't care how fast I go down hill, but I can still cruise at 17-20 mph and avoid cross chaining.