Granny, Compact or Standard Chainring

If you're reading this you survived the climbing fest this week which included some brutal climbs i.e., Richtor Pass(Actual Pass on IM Canada bike course) amongst others. By the way, for those of you who asked the actual elevation change was 1500 ft over an 11km(6mile+) climb;see diagram second arrow. So, here we go: Granny, Compact or Standard?

First, lets define each and then tell to whom or when each is relevent. If you don't care...hell, go have a cold one...I don't blame you. Ok, lets get serious...


...Granny- that lil old lady in front of you at the checkout taking forever, right? No...no...no...Granny is the term used for a triple ring up front. It usually has, referring to the number of teeth on each ring of the three rings in front, 50+,40+,30+. The standard bike with this setup usually has a 12-2o something in the rear cassette. Take home, three rings up front with each having progressively less teeth than it's larger predecesor and a 12-20 something cassette in the rear. Kappesh! Hold that thought.


Compact- only two rings up front. Large has 50 teeth and smaller has 34 teeth usually coupled by a rear cassette with 12-25.


Standard- 53/39 with a 12-25 on the rear or for weaker riders 12-27...ahh haa!

Ok, so we have defined each and just mentioned weaker riders, that begs the question, "Am I a weak or a strong rider and which setup do I need already?" Ok...ok...patience.

If you are a novice cyclist and looking to just enjoy the experience of riding then go with the triple. It will give you many options for comfortability when undergoing hilly terrain, rolling terrain or if you are just plain fatiqued on the end of a longer ride. Why? Why...because I said so...why because think of this, If the "Jolly Green Giant"(7 ft tall) was walking with "Sprout"(3.5 feet) tall...Sprout would have to take double the amount of steps to keep up with the JGG. Thus, having to work harder to keep up to the Giant who would be just plotting along. This is how gearings work. The smaller the gear ratio the faster and the larger the slower, more spinning,more comfortable choice, but you do not progress as far with each pedal stroke or in the case of Sprout neither does he.

To explain further, find the ratio between the front and back rings i.e., 50/11 equals 4.5 revolutions and 34/11 equals 3 revolutions...what?...4.5 and 3 is the amount of times your back wheel will turn based upon a pedal stroke if you chose the respective gearings. Take home, you want that ratio as close to 1:1 so put a 53/39 front chainring on and a 53/11 rear cassette on your chariot and pick the 53/53pairing(you cant do that...hehe). But, you can choose the highest gearing possible to get up that hill without experiencing a 9 out of 10 effort. This takes experience and time in the saddle. So, read on...categorize yourself, if you haven't already for a "Granny" and pick your poison(compact or standard) that will get you as close to the 1:1 within your ability.


So, that leaves the question Compact or Standard. To help you choose try to answer these two questions what type of terrain and how aggresive/strong of a rider am I. If you ride mountain passes like Richtor, long hills and/or you are an intermediate to low end rider...hit the Compact. If you predominately ride smaller hills, rollers and/or are a stronger rider choose the standard(you can always change the rear cassette for appropriate conditions i.e., 11-23 Timetrialing/racing vs a 12-25 or 12-27 for climbing. If there are longer descents following the climbs and you are worried about spinningout and losing topend speed, pick yourself up an 11-2o something rear cassette.


Well, there you have it! You are now an expert...now go wow your friends or a "Granny" with this pneumonic device, The key to "G"reat "C"ycling "S"uccess is to know your gearings from low to high. Cheers!