Bicycle Mechanics - Upsizing main chainring

I recently got back into cycling and got a Specalized Sirrus Comp. It came with a 48 main chain ring and I want to go to a 52 (and keep the 38 and 28 that are on it). My question is, can I do this or will I have problems making the jump and will the chain drag when I do go into the 28 granny?

The derailure is the Shimano Deore XL. Will a change to a Road Derailure do the trick?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Depending on the size of your low cog in back, it should work. I run 48-40-24 / 13-26 on my mountain bike; this is the same 24-tooth front drop that you will have. The 14-tooth drop between the outer rings is the same as on a standard 53-39 road setup. If you have trouble with the front shifts, try 52-40-28 or even 52-42-28 or 52-42-30, a common road triple setup.

Thanks for the info!

Originally posted by wlevey
I recently got back into cycling and got a Specalized Sirrus Comp. It came with a 48 main chain ring and I want to go to a 52 (and keep the 38 and 28 that are on it). My question is, can I do this or will I have problems making the jump and will the chain drag when I do go into the 28 granny?

The derailure is the Shimano Deore XL. Will a change to a Road Derailure do the trick?

Any help would be greatly appreciated The lx front may not handle a 52 tooth big ring. there is a difference in cage length between compact and road FD.I,m not sure what you mean about the chain drag part.The chain can drag on the front dereailer if the cage is not the correct length when you try to use the granny ring.That is one of the reasons for the possible need for a road FD. The chain can also dtag on the rear drailer when in the granny ring and small cogs in the rear,depending on how the chain length was sized and the wrap capacity of the rear derailer. Current long cage lx rear derailers have a wrap of 45 teeth. Figure how much wrap you need by difference between largest and smallest front rings plus difference between larges and smallest rear cogs...someone else mentioned the need for a possibly longer chain,depending on how yours was sized.The system has to be able to accomodate the big ring,big cog, 'just in case'.

Are you sure you need a 52? Before you spend money on a bigger chainring keep track for a couple of days. How often do you use the biggest gear you have now? What is it 48/13, 48/12? That's a pretty good size gear. My top on my main road bike is 48/14, and I only use it on downhills. Even on brisk group rides at 21-22 mph I seldom get over 48/19.

Don't get me wrong, I am an inveterate tinkerer, always trying something new on my bikes. It's just that I doubt most riders even need a 52T chainring.
FWIW,
Raymond

You will probably need to add 2 full links to the chain. Also, you should never use the granny while in the big ring on a triple. Why you would want to do this, I'm not sure........

Originally posted by D*Alex
Y Also, you should never use the granny while in the big ring on a triple. Why you would want to do this, I'm not sure........
I always referred to the little ring on the crank as the granny. It seems like you are referring to the big ring on the back as the granny. I do agree though that crossing up the chain like that isn't necessary. The answer you get from most people when asked about their gear selection is "I've got 18, 24 … gears and I'm going to use them all". I've quit trying to explain to my wife that she is in a "stupid" gear combination but she doesn't get it. There are also people that you just can't explain that trimming up the front derailleur will stop that horrible grinding noise (which probably wouldn't be happening if they weren't in a "stupid" gear anyway).

Thanks for the information. Sounds like this is getting a bit cvomplicated for MY limited mechanical abilities. Looks like MY best bet is to call a reputable bike shop and let them do the set up. I know, it is going to cost me more $$, but at least it will be set up right (I hope) and I won't end up stranded on the side of the road with a broken bike (I hope!!).

Thanks again...Bill