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Been considering a compact. Running a triple on my current set up and do like it, but could be swayed. Been mostly looking at shimano chainsets, was going to go with a 9 speed XT chainset, but shimano don't seem to do any compact equivalents. Unless I get the 10speed XT compact and put my own 8/9 speed rings on it, but have heard of troubles with cross chaining. Any recommendations?
zooeyzooey-
Go 10 speed, enjoy the wide 11-34t cassette with the 9 speed MTB deraileur combine with the 50/34 chainset (or 46/34).
This way will also reduced the q-factor so you won't feel duck footed with those MTB chainset, and thus enjoy road riding while being able to go bridleway bashing.
Recommend at least 32mm with mudguard, 40mm without, best to have a little more room than not enough.
This way you have a road gearing (bottom to middle of cogs), with the last 3 big cog perfect for touring (34/34 will get you up a mountain on a loaded tourer).
You can even put a 11-36 cassette and still have the same gearing as an 8 speed 11-28 cassette with the extra 32t and 36t for the hard stuff.
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Unless I get the 10speed XT compact and put my own 8/9 speed rings on it.
BTW don't need to do that, they'll work regardless of what chain you're using.
The internal spacing of the chain remain almost unchanged, it's just the external width that have gotten narrower, which mean a 10 speed chain can just about work well on an 8 speed set up, I even managed to put a (admittedly worn) 11 speed chain on an 6 speed beater as it's the only free chain lying around.
edscoble
Hartley Cycles look pretty awesome.
Have a butcher at compact chainset, like 46/30 but without the cross chaining issues.