Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Crank set up for Bike of all trades.

Looking to change my current crank set up from a 53-39 tooth setup to a triple of some sort. Currently looking at a 50-39-30 or 48-38-28 set up to install on my Surly CC bike . This bike is used for commuting, hooking up with the local roadies, light rail trail riding, some future light touring pulling Bob Trailer/panniers etc. Bike of all trades it is for me and looking for a crank set up to compliement all my needs. Your feedback is much appreciated....thanks

Sean

My first question is if you're using a stock / "complete" CC or built your own.

If you are using the stock, the crank can be set up as a standard or compact double, and has mounts for a 3rd chainring. You will need a different bottom bracket and front derailleur to switch to a triple.

The rear derailleur is Tiagra, so it's a bit limited in range -- 11T-27T. 48-36-28 with an 11-27 is passable for touring, although not as wide as you'd get with MTB parts where you could do 48-36-26 with 11-34. (The infamous Sheldon Brown / Harris Cyclery suggests that Shimano is conservative in their listed range, as yet untested by yours truly though....)

I've found friction shifting with a triple is a little annoying, as you need to tweak the FD position when shifting the rear. I plan to stick with it though, as there are other advantages to the bar-end shifters.

You might want to try a 48-32 up front and 11-27 in back. If that doesn't work, then look into either a wider rear (if you dare), a triple or MTB bits on the back.

I'm a big fan of the sugino triples, with standard 46-36-26, or 48-36-26 chain rings. With a standard rear cassette of 12-28 this gives you plenty of gear, and if you are peddling hard in 46-12 then you're probably better off just coasting down that hill :).

The sugino triples are priced well, usually about $100, and you might need a new bottom bracket. But these will work well with just about any standard bar-end friction shifting setup for the FD (so long as it can handle the throw of the triple). Since you're running 53-39, I'm assuming this isn't the "stock" CC setup. What RD are you using? Moving over to a "mountain" RD will give you a better cog range, something like an shimano LX will let you use a cassette with up to 34t. Much more usable gear for the type of riding you are describing. How many people really use the 53-12 combo???

I'm a big fan of the sugino triples, with standard 46-36-26, or 48-36-26 chain rings. With a standard rear cassette of 12-28 this gives you plenty of gear, and if you are peddling hard in 46-12 then you're probably better off just coasting down that hill :).

The sugino triples are priced well, usually about $100, and you might need a new bottom bracket. But these will work well with just about any standard bar-end friction shifting setup for the FD (so long as it can handle the throw of the triple). Since you're running 53-39, I'm assuming this isn't the "stock" CC setup. What RD are you using? Moving over to a "mountain" RD will give you a better cog range, something like an shimano LX will let you use a cassette with up to 34t. Much more usable gear for the type of riding you are describing. How many people really use the 53-12 combo???

I like the Sugino XD too, great value for money and even better flexibility. I'm going to suggest something weird, what about a 42/26 double, you can set this up on a Sugino XD using the middle and inner ring positions. If you combine it will an a cassette with an 11t smallest cog you get 103" so you can
do 24.5mph at 80 rpm, which should let you stick with most roadies. For touring I use it with an 11/34 rear cassette. The ratios aren't very close, but I like the range. If you want closer ratios and don't need the gears in the 20s go with and 11/23 or 11/28. The only place you'll find it hard to keep up with the fast guys is on downhills as you'll spin out. I don't mind this as my legs stop working for speeds much above 25mph anyway.

My first question is if you're using a stock / "complete" CC or built your own...

The rear derailleur is Tiagra, so it's a bit limited in range -- 11T-27T.

The stock Tiagra mid-cage derailleur will handle an 11-32t cassette just fine. I swapped out the 12-25 stock cassette for a PG-90 11-32, and with minor limit and tension screw adjustments it runs very smoothly.

The stock Tiagra mid-cage derailleur will handle an 11-32t cassette just fine. I swapped out the 12-25 stock cassette for a PG-90 11-32, and with minor limit and tension screw adjustments it runs very smoothly.
So to ask a more specific question... For my Kona JTS would it possible to swap out the stock 105 RD w/12-25 cassette and replace it with say a LX RD w/12-34 cassette. I would like to keep the double arrangement at the front: 105 FD 46/36. Assuming the answer is yes, would by 'new' parts be limited to:

1. LX RD
2. 12-34 cassette
3. new chain (9-speed)
4. new cabling

Thanks.