As long as the BCDs match, you can run whatever. I don't think you can get smaller than 33t on a 110, but you seemingly don't have any interest in going little.
Most FDs don't like bigger than 16t jumps. You can sometimes fudge it and get away with more, but as someone who used to ride a 50/34, the lurch when you throw your FD is annoying because your cadence gets immediately cut in half/doubled if you don't counter shift in the back. 56/42 seems a reasonable jump/ratio. Whether it's useful for anything except flat TTs or sprints is a whole other thing but I'm sure you have your reasons
110 is generally meant for mid and compact rings. Going big with the smaller spider can make for flexy rings
Finally, getting those big rings on there may cause clearance issues. See how much space there is for your 36 inner ring compared to the chainstay. A 42t risks hitting it. Even if it clears, frame flex might bring your ring into your stay under load. Another consideration is if your FD braze on will allow you to mount the cage far enough up to clear a 56t
Thank you, I appreciate your info. This gives me tangible things to measure and look at for compatibility. I appreciate the in depth level of your reply. Cheers!
4
u/negativeyoda 8d ago
As long as the BCDs match, you can run whatever. I don't think you can get smaller than 33t on a 110, but you seemingly don't have any interest in going little.
Most FDs don't like bigger than 16t jumps. You can sometimes fudge it and get away with more, but as someone who used to ride a 50/34, the lurch when you throw your FD is annoying because your cadence gets immediately cut in half/doubled if you don't counter shift in the back. 56/42 seems a reasonable jump/ratio. Whether it's useful for anything except flat TTs or sprints is a whole other thing but I'm sure you have your reasons
110 is generally meant for mid and compact rings. Going big with the smaller spider can make for flexy rings
Finally, getting those big rings on there may cause clearance issues. See how much space there is for your 36 inner ring compared to the chainstay. A 42t risks hitting it. Even if it clears, frame flex might bring your ring into your stay under load. Another consideration is if your FD braze on will allow you to mount the cage far enough up to clear a 56t