Compact double chainsets were initially popularised by French randonneur riders, but it’s only recently that modern component brands started offering them.
Full Speed Ahead (FSA) launched its range of adventure chainsets at last year’s Taipei Cycle Show, available in a wide range of chainring options from 48/32 to 46/36, and even a 46/30t.
“We started to think about 48/32t because of gravel bicycles,” says FSA’s European general manager, Maurizio Bellin. “We recognised from our OEM [original equipment manufacturer] customers that a lot of them were speccing longer-cage mechs with 30t cassettes, and we saw the real benefit for users of super-compact gearing.”
Excerpt from Super-compact chainsets: the next big thing for road cyclists? by Jamie Beach (Bikeradar.com)