Cyclocross gearing ?

[Spicoli]

What are most using up front? I have always gone double but its never shifted just right, always sloppy. I may just be spoiled by ramped and pinned rings now but just got pissed at it the other day and ripped off the double and went single. So my question is, leave the single or does anyone make a good ramped 46 or 48 tooth big ring that actually shifts without tinkering? Also if someone does, who has them for sale? The single is cool but I have the shifter and derail so its a cleaner build to me if I stay double.

[e-RICHIE]

i use a 38-42 atmo.
you want a 46 or 48?

[Bruce K]

I use 46-36 both FSA on an FSA crankset. They shift fine.

BK

[flux]

My 42 11/28 setup has worked on every course so far this year fwiw.

I think most guys (on doubles) are running 38/44's or 38/46's up front in the Elite Category.

[Spicoli]

Originally Posted by e-RICHIE

i use a 38-42 atmo.
you want a 46 or 48?

I figured only something in that range would have pins, are there smaller rings with ramps/pins? My double is a 44x39 w/out pins or anything and the gearing is fine, it works OK but I was wondering if there is something that shifts better than flat rings? Its kinda moot since I either pick one gear or the other and just leave it there but I have a chain drop paranoia. As far as single set ups goes, I just do a 42 with guide and leave it. My hang up is that with flat rings the set up kinda has to over shift a bit to get it to go consistently and thats what makes me think its gonna toss one day?

[e-RICHIE]

Originally Posted by Spicoli

I figured only something in that range would have pins, are there smaller rings with ramps/pins? My double is a 44x39 w/out pins or anything and the gearing is fine, it works OK but I was wondering if there is something that shifts better than flat rings? Its kinda moot since I either pick one gear or the other and just leave it there but I have a chain drop paranoia. As far as single set ups goes, I just do a 42 with guide and leave it. My hang up is that with flat rings the set up kinda has to over shift a bit to get it to go consistently and thats what makes me think its gonna toss one day?

i use an fsa mounted backwards atmo

[Tobias]

Originally Posted by e-RICHIE

i use an fsa mounted backwards atmo

Do you use a middle 42T from a triple?
And what do you mean by backwards?
Rotated 180 degrees or simply installed on the opposite side of the spider?

Do you split gears?

[GONE4ARIDE]

I am using TA Alize 38/46 on both of my cross bikes. Shifting performance has been good but I think I may go with a single ring set-up (42) in the front next season.

[e-RICHIE]

Originally Posted by Tobias

Do you use a middle 42T from a triple?
And what do you mean by backwards?
Rotated 180 degrees or simply installed on the opposite side of the spider?

Do you split gears?

i get a 42 inner and mount on backwards atmo.
that way the teeth are inboard.
what does split gears mean.
i yoosta split enz in the 80s but...

[Too Tall]

42X50 11X28 That's how it arrived. So far so good. Last race I def. was at my limit to huck it up steep short rideable hills. I may go single ring next season.

[gt6267a]

Originally Posted by e-RICHIE

i use a 38-42 atmo.
you want a 46 or 48?

they seem so close toether ... do you really use both chain rings? why not just run a single?

[Tobias]

Originally Posted by e-RICHIE

what does split gears mean.

Half-step gearing, or splitting the cassette jumps with the chainrings.

With two rings so close in size -- about 10% -- I thought maybe that's your goal. Was just curious.

[e-RICHIE]

Originally Posted by gt6267a

they seem so close toether ... do you really use both chain rings? why not just run a single?

in races i do atmo.

Originally Posted by Tobias

Half-step gearing, or splitting the cassette jumps with the chainrings.

With two rings so close in size -- about 10% -- I thought maybe that's your goal. Was just curious.

i haven't heard that term since john schubert wrote for bicycling atmo!

[Tobias]

Originally Posted by e-RICHIE

i haven't heard that term since john schubert wrote for bicycling atmo!

On paper it provides great gearing -- for non-racers anyway who don't need quick shifting.

A 50-46 or 50-47 tooth combination with a Shimano 9-speed 11-34 cassette provides very good close-ratio gearing throughout the mid range. On paper it can look better throughout the mid-range IMO than a 50-34 compact with a 9-speed 11-25 cassette.

[DarrenCT]

Originally Posted by e-RICHIE

in races i do atmo.


i haven't heard that term since john schubert wrote for bicycling atmo!

who the heck is john schubert. sounds like he is in the same business as john holmes imho