Bicycle Mechanics - moving to a double

i have an allez sport with a triple chain ring and since I don't use the granny at all I'd like to get rid of it. Can I get away with simply removing the granny ring and tweaking the front deraillur and leaving the long arm rear in, or should I upgrade, and if so what exactly should I upgrade (off the top of my head I would think a new chain and new front and rear deraillers)

why not just NOT SHIFT to the little ring?

I dont, thats why I want to get rid of it...

Depends on what you mean by "tweaking" the front derailleur. If you mean adjusting the limit screw so the derailleur will not shift inward past the middle chainring, yes, you can do that. No Prob continuing to use the other components.

I think you should keep the triple and just move to some place where the hills are more daunting!

At school in Indiana i only used that tiny chain ring once! Home in Va, I have not touched the biggest one yet!! To many hills, I'm glad i got a tripple.

How about getting a tighter freewheel and/or a larger grannie ring, to obtain closer-ratio gears over the range you do use? Also, do not underestimate the value of keeping at least one seldom-used low gear ratio; at the end of a long ride, even an average climb can suddenly look daunting.

I am doing the opposite conversion, replacing my Capo's Nervar Star double with a Campag. Veloce with 3 rings and long stack bolts. (The Veloce crank sits just far enough outboard to provide just enough chainstay clearance for the third ring.)

Originally posted by John E
Also, do not underestimate the value of keeping at least one seldom-used low gear ratio; at the end of a long ride, even an average climb can suddenly look daunting.
Ain't that the truth, John!

Pinky, be a little cautious with the adustment on the limit screw if you do remove the inner ring. The screw may run out of adjustment and you won't be able to "park" the derailleur cage over the middle ring without tension on the cable. You could end up popping the chain off on every downshift.

Be also aware that if you choose to select big front chainring and big rear cog, you will be cross-chaining, resulting in increased wear and possible overstressing of the rear derailleur (dependent on chain length.

Probably best to keep the set-up you have and just ignore the fact that you have a granny ring.

FWIW

R