Everyone knows that the quality of one’s character is measured by the size gear they can push, particularly when going uphill. It is also a well-established fact that no self-respecting Flemish Pro would ever ride a Compact, no matter what condition their knees are in or how ferocious the gradient. Which, by extension, means that Compacts are for sissies. In fact, a true Flandrian would rather lose their national race than ride a Sissy Gear.
The first time we rode with Johan Museeuw, we were shocked to find him aboard one of his carbon/flax race machines – and a compact chainset. Not wanting to offend an Apostle by suggesting he’s riding his son’s bike, I asked him what he thought of it. “I don’t like it. The big ring isn’t big enough for climbing.”
The standard Flemish chainset is – and has been for as long as the Ancients have tracked these details in their sacred scrolls – either a 53T or 52T outer ring paired to a 42T inner ring. On the occasions when the parcours will see them scaling the Koppenberg or Kapelmuur, the Belgians make a concession and dust off their trusty 41T inner ring in order to shorten the gear by a whopping single tooth. In the mountains or over in Wallonia (the land of savages) where they are far from the prying eyes of their proud public, the Flemish hardman may allow his mechanic to bolt on a lowly 39T ring, so long as no one brings it up at the dinner table. (It is worth noting that in Cyclocross it is standard practice to ride a 38T inner ring.)
Museeuw has never been a grimpeur, not when he was a Pro and not now. On Keepers Tour 2013, we had the opportunity to do several more rides with him, one of which was over the roads of Liege-Bastogne-Liege. It was customary for him to suggest alternate routes that avoided the steep hills, and so it was that he tried to talk us out of riding the Stockeu. We rode up side-by-side, taking our time. As we alternated between pedaling and doing track stands, he asked if I was riding a compact. I feigned a combination of exasperation and insult at such a question and told him it was a Flemish Compact.
“Oh, a 39? Goed.”
[dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/frank@velominati.com/Belgian Compact/”/]
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I am currently dealing with a fantastic BB30 creak. It sounds like the frame is snapping in half every time i hit 2 o'clock NDS. I'm hoping the shell is all knackered up, the 2014 frame has a nicer finish.
@brett
You misunderstood me - my "that makes two of us" referred to you and me both being happy about you having left Australia. I sit just to the right of Mussolini.
@il ciclista medio
I'm actually a little behind that - I was only 10 in 1976, but later I was a fan of Ed Kuepper in The Laughing Clowns and reversed into The Saints through that.
@Marcus
Well, in that case you deserve everything you get...
@Chris
You're welcome. I got mine from qwertycycles.co.uk - great UK resource for Cannondale parts and tools if you're not already aware of them.
I'm based in Chepstow, which is a fair step from London, but I think my current state of (un-)fitness might be more of a barrier to attending a cogal. Definitely agree with the 'carpe diem' sentiment in the light of that sad news though.
@Geraint That's where I got mine from. Damn, I'd been trying to remember who it was and couldn't find any traces of emails from them at all. Thanks. They're a good bit cheaper than the German outfit Dr Cannondale.
The Chepstow Cogal has a nice ring to it but you're right, it is a bit of a trek.
@Chris If there is a London Cogal organised I'll be there from Surrey. Would be great to ride and raise a beer to @itburns.
@Mike_P
@Chis @Mike - I'd be up to raise a beer or a mid ride coffee if there is a Cogal in striking distance of Surrey.
@Teocalli What area of Surrey are you in?
@Mike_P
@Mike_P in at Hindhead south of Guildford close to being on top of the new A3 Tunnel.