Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.

New: Take Part in the March Giveaway: Coming Soon 3/24


Standard vs. Compact cranks
#1
Is it possible to have a set up where a standard crank (53x39) and a compact crank (50x34) are interchangeable? I want to use the standard crank for normal rides, then switch to a compact crank for hilly rides. Can I just switch out the cranks or do I have to switch out the whole drivetrain (crank, chain, freewheel, etc.)?

The crankset I have right now is a RaceFace Cadence. Does RaceFace make a compact crankset that uses the same bottom bracket as the standard?
  Reply
#2
I haven't tried this, and I am not familiar with the RaceFace cranks. Changing cranks with an FSA MegaExo BB is very quick and easy. Of course you will need to have the very smallest possible clearance between your 53t ring and the cage of your FD--then hope for the best when the 50t ring is in place. I suspect you will either have to find some very thin spindle shims to space the second crankset to match the first, or you will need to reset your derailleur limits and cable tension. Make sure that both cranksets support the chain that you are using.
...j
  Reply
#3
Also make sure that the capacity of the rear derailleur matches the setup with the compact crank.
  Reply
#4
Oh, well, I just thought about my comment: 2 teeth difference should not make such a huge difference... sorry.
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread
Author
Replies
Views
Last Post
 
SpeedBikeNut32
11,038
01-21-2015, 04:24 PM
Last Post: DaveM

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
What tools have you bought recently?
Yesterday 06:57 PM
Santini fluted frame
Yesterday 06:47 PM
Expensive bikes with crappy wheels
Yesterday 10:15 AM
Where are you from and What is your favo...
03-27-2024 11:43 PM
2007 Trek Pilot S.P.A. 5.2
03-27-2024 07:06 PM
2010 Specialized Hardrock
03-26-2024 09:16 PM
1990 Specialized Rockhopper How to Fluff...
03-25-2024 07:05 PM
Thread busted on right pedal crank
03-24-2024 08:52 PM
Trek domane tyre
03-24-2024 05:48 PM
Modern rims crack at spoke holes
03-24-2024 05:32 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. Painkiller
21 posts
no avatar 2. ReapThaWhirlwind
16 posts
no avatar 3. Jesper
15 posts
no avatar 4. GirishH
15 posts
no avatar 5. meamoantonio
15 posts