CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Non-compact Shimano 105 chainset, smallest inner ring?

CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Non-compact Shimano 105 chainset, smallest inner ring? http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Non-compact Shimano 105 chainset, smallest inner ring? en Wed, 13 May 2026 02:49:13 +0000 kaputnik on "Non-compact Shimano 105 chainset, smallest inner ring?" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2765#post-29691 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 10:51:50 +0000 kaputnik 29691@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Looks like the solitary voter is right Of course I am :D Speaking of Obree's "Old Faithful", it was on Cycling Weekly yesterday that an enterprising Swede has built an updated replica out of wood and carbon (Obree's was steel and aluminium) <a href="http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/523473/faithful-to-old-faithful-obree-s-bike-recreated.html"><img src="http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/imageBank/o/obreebike-Paragon_0011.jpg"></a> His quest to get his knees ever-closer together was also why he used a cruciform frame design, so that there was no top tube to get in the way of his knees. Personally I think the replica isn't a pretty sight. It's worth going to the top floor of the museum on Chambers Street to see the original. It still has a shoe bolted on to it. Smudge on "Non-compact Shimano 105 chainset, smallest inner ring?" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2765#post-29670 Wed, 20 Apr 2011 06:22:11 +0000 Smudge 29670@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Looks like the solitary voter is right, simplest just to get some awsomepower and push the biggish gear lol :)) gembo on "Non-compact Shimano 105 chainset, smallest inner ring?" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2765#post-29654 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 19:48:36 +0000 gembo 29654@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Of no use but slightly related- new Specialized Secteur has a SRAM chainset with what looks like big cog and then granny on the front (no middle cog) 34/50 chain ring and 11-32 cassette. <a href="http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?f_ProductID=12987&f_SupersetQRY=C438&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003155c018341" rel="nofollow">http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?f_ProductID=12987&f_SupersetQRY=C438&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003155c018341</a> The SRAM chainset’s lower Q-factor (distance between the outside of the pedal holes) positions your feet closer together than would be possible with a triple chainset - the alternative route to wide-range gearing. A lower Q factor is reckoned to contribute to optimal pedalling and biomechanical efficiency. A lower Q factor is reckoned to contribute to optimal pedalling and biomechanical efficiency [so true they said it twice]. Low Q-factor was what motivated Specialized-sponsored rider Graeme Obree to famously raid his washing machine for low-profile bearings to create a shorter bottom bracket axle to minimize the distance between the cranks when building his hour record-breaking bike. chdot on "Non-compact Shimano 105 chainset, smallest inner ring?" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2765#post-29449 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 08:31:13 +0000 chdot 29449@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ "you might be limited there if you have a short reach dérailleur" Yes, the 105 I've got will handle a 28T - but there have been many models over the years... kaputnik on "Non-compact Shimano 105 chainset, smallest inner ring?" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2765#post-29446 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 07:49:31 +0000 kaputnik 29446@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ I've asked this question in TBW before as I have the same crankset. Answer is you "can" just about squeeze a 37 on, but not less than that. I think the cassette is your best option, but you might be limited there if you have a short reach dérailleur. chdot on "Non-compact Shimano 105 chainset, smallest inner ring?" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2765#post-29445 Sun, 17 Apr 2011 23:16:38 +0000 chdot 29445@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ This might interest - <a href="http://www.sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-bcd.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.sheldonbrown.com/cribsheet-bcd.html</a> Smudge on "Non-compact Shimano 105 chainset, smallest inner ring?" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2765#post-29443 Sun, 17 Apr 2011 22:46:49 +0000 Smudge 29443@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ 'cause if a small front ring will go on it's probably cheaper? Fair point though! chdot on "Non-compact Shimano 105 chainset, smallest inner ring?" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2765#post-29441 Sun, 17 Apr 2011 22:44:49 +0000 chdot 29441@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Why not put a wider ratio cassette on? Smudge on "Non-compact Shimano 105 chainset, smallest inner ring?" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2765#post-29440 Sun, 17 Apr 2011 22:43:01 +0000 Smudge 29440@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Ok, I have a 52/38 on the front of my roadbike, and being weak and old I find that combined with a close ratio rear cassette can be kind of hard work after a few steep hills... given I'll be trekking down the A68 in a few weeks I wonder if anyone knows what the smallest inner ring is that'll fit on a Shimano 105 chainset? Or where the best deal is on a compact! Ta... :)