Shimano Di2 compact, is 52/34 shiftable?

[el condor]

I'm setting up the gearing of a friends bike. Before there was a gearing of 11-28 rear and front 34/50, that always worked perfect on a 10 speed Di2. Now a new crank with 2 different bcd's is being used. For the small ring it's 110 and for the big it's 130.
For the tech geeks out there, would it be possible to shift a combo 52/34? Since the big ring has a bcd of 130 it would at least support a 52 ring better than a classical bcd 110 compact crank.
Thanks.

[AGW]

Atleast with with the DA9000 spider, there were some pro teams running 52 or 53/34 with Di2 (Belkin in particular comes to mind).

[el condor]

I ordered a 52 ring and will comment on how good it shifts.

[06SpiceRed]

I'm setting up the gearing of a friends bike. Before there was a gearing of 11-28 rear and front 34/50, that always worked perfect on a 10 speed Di2. Now a new crank with 2 different bcd's is being used. For the small ring it's 110 and for the big it's 130.
For the tech geeks out there, would it be possible to shift a combo 52/34? Since the big ring has a bcd of 130 it would at least support a 52 ring better than a classical bcd 110 compact crank.
Thanks.

Im going to shed some light because I know the traditionalists will say it cant be done, nor should it be done. I am always one to go ahead and give it a shot and report back my findings. Its one of those things that some people always wondered but never attempted to try it whether it be because of the hassle of switching rings or the cost.

The short answer is yes.

Does it shift smoothly? IMO experience... absolutely buttery smooth.

I have experimented with the 52/34 (11-28) and the 53/34 (11-28). Each of them were run months at a time. Each of the options work flawlessly with Di2.

For some "security" I added a K-Edge Chain catcher to be on the safe side when switching back to the small ring but even before I added it, I have absolutely 0 issues. Feel free to PM if you have any questions

Here is an older thread about someone asking the same questions.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=125646

[xnavalav8r]

There are some photos of the bike I built for my son in this thread on page 6. http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=110333&hilit=kinesis&start=75

The bike was using a 38/30 chainring combination with Ultegra di2 and we had absolutely no trouble shifting. He's on a 52/34 now and it works perfectly.

[el condor]

Thanks for the inputs. I will try it too, looking at the space left in the front derailleur with 50/34 it should work. Maybe the only down part is cross chaining, small ring front-third to second heaviest rear may cause the chain to rattle on the big ring.
I remember ten years ago I put a 30 tooth as lightest gear on the dura ace 7800 mechanical set up with 50/34 front, smallest that would exist back then from Shimano was e 27tooth, it always worked flawless for many thousand km's, so sometimes it's better to try out things

[el condor]

So after the weather hasn't been too nice, the set-up has been tested on a 2h ride and worked flawless.

[rma]

So you are using a 52/34? Which cranks? Which FD? Any glitches?

[el condor]

So you are using a 52/34? Which cranks? Which FD? Any glitches?

See original post. (what are glitches)?

[itsacarr]

I will add my experience as well:

I ran a 53 \ 36 setup for a couple races last year and it shifted under mechanical very well.

The only issue I had was that of chain length. Initially the chain was sized for 53\39 and so when in the little little the chain would basically sit on top of the chain stay. While it's a gear you wouldn't know it's good to know you lose a gear or two with a chain sized like that. However I took a link out and while the 9000 RD seemed right at the edge of comfortable extension ... it still worked pretty dang well.

[chrisonhismac]

So after some time el condor - any feedback on swapping a 50/34 for a 52/34?

LBS is adamant that 18 tooth jump is too much?

[spdntrxi]

I was thinking of trying 53/36 personally

[spartan]

i have been using a 52/34 for the last two week. shifting is 95% speed upshift vs 52/36...

[clarkson]

52/34 absolutely works.

[spdntrxi]

Good to know..been thinking about getting a 52 praxis for bike number 1