Bicycle Mechanics - changing from 2 rings to 3

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA

View Full Version : changing from 2 rings to 3

sailscycle
07-08-08, 02:00 PM
Going to do some hill climbing in the near future and have been told I need to get more suitable gear ratio, possibly going with three rings or smaller inner ring.

I have called my local shop and they are suggesting several possible ways to address this but most are pretty expensive. I have a FSA 52/36 on front and ultegra on back. Any thoughts?

Al1943
07-08-08, 02:48 PM
I have a FSA 52/36 on front and ultegra on back. Any thoughts?

Are you sure about those chainring sizes? The 36 inner ring would seem to indicate a compact crank with 110 BCD. But compact usually have a 50 big ring instead of a 52.
For us to give you a good recommendation it would also help to know the size of the cassette, smallest and largest cassette cogs.
Usually the most cost effective way to lower gearing for a special event is to change the cassette and rear derailleur to mountain gearing. If you have a 10-speed cassette you will be limited on mountain bike cassette options, Shimano does not make 10-speed mountain bike cassettes but there are some available.
If your inner chainring is indeed a 36 you could change it to a 34 but you would then need a 50 or 48 big ring.
Going to a triple would require replacing the crankset, bottom bracket, both derailleurs, possibly new shifters (depending on what you now have) and probably a new chain.

Al