Folding Bikes - What's your triple setup as? (20" wheels)

I'm now the proud owner of a candy red NWT. It was originally specced with a DualDrive setup but my reuqested STIs made that hub an issue. The spec ended up being a triple setup, 53/39/30 with 11-34.

Done some riding on it thus far and I'm already thinking I need to change it to 55/44/30. I'd go bigger than the 55 actually but I don't think it's possible.
With the 44 I think I could more comfortably ride in the middle ring on flat terrain. How its setup now, the big ring is the most comfortable on flat terrain and I'd rather that be the middle for issues of crosschaining and full cassette use



Curious to know what you guys have yours setup as though. Would appreciate it if you could share :)




And here is a pic for the hell of it
http://bikemandan.com/stuff/DSC_9298_s.jpg

My NWT's got 54/46/32 and 11-28 on the back. I spend almost all my time in the middle ring, but I also don't get in a hurry very much.

I have a standard Shimano triple with the Capreo hub/cassette. STI works best with standard chainring combinations; although it appears to be acceptable for many non-standard combinations with a little work.

I'm now the proud owner of a candy red NWT. It was originally specced with a DualDrive setup but my reuqested STIs made that hub an issue. The spec ended up being a triple setup, 53/39/30 with 11-34.

I think that it is possible to use DualDrive with STI shifters. A travel agent connected to the left shifter will reduce the cable pull by half to the cable travel required by the DualDrive clickbox.

http://www.problemsolversbike.com/pdf/PS_inline_travel_agent.pdf

And you can use a standard Shimano 2:1 dérailleur with the right shifter.

BTW, Dahon Speed Pro TT uses Shimano brifters with DualDrive but my guess is that they use special order OEM parts.

Kam

My NWT has 52-42-30 with an 11x32 cassette. The low is low enough. If I were to change anything I'd put on a larger big ring. I don't have STI, so I don't think that would be an issue.

I'm not a real gear basher, so the high I've got is a bit low, but so bad I've been motivated to make a change.

Speedo

(edit)Congratulations on your new bike!!(/edit)

I think that it is possible to use DualDrive with STI shifters. A travel agent connected to the left shifter will reduce the cable pull by half to the cable travel required by the DualDrive clickbox.

I think that the "problem" with new STI shifters is that they have trim positions that don't correspond well with the internal hub.

So what would be the largest chain ring that could fit a NWT and still allow it to fold and pack? I need to put a larger ring on my '94 NWT. It is 52 now. Who has put on a larger ring, what size and how does it work?

I think that the "problem" with new STI shifters is that they have trim positions that don't correspond well with the internal hub.

Good point.

Mine is just a double: 60/42 with an 11/28 cassette. Folds and packs fine, but to pack it I pull the front crank off instead of removing the pedals.

Mine is just a double: 60/42 with an 11/28 cassette. Folds and packs fine, but to pack it I pull the front crank off instead of removing the pedals.

With the 60/42":

1: What FD do you use?

2: What brand is the 60t?

I personally use a 30-42-52 and a 9sp 11-26 cassette. This facilitates a shorter derailer for off-road excursions.

The capreo hub and cassette are quite nice for those wanting higher gearing, I believe the only potential issue with those wanting road brifters is that nicer 9sp brifters aren't as common anymore?

I think that the "problem" with new STI shifters is that they have trim positions that don't correspond well with the internal hub.

Are there current (i.e available retail) left STI shifters that don't have trim positions?

Kam

My Air Glide has a Shimano Ultegra triple with a Capreo rear hub.

By the way nice NWT BikemanDan!!!!!!

Are there current (i.e available retail) left STI shifters that don't have trim positions?

Kam

Sorry for the delay ... just read this.

The Tiagra/Sora shifters might omit the trim positions. But it is a hazy recollection of an oversea retailer's description. You should be able to tell pretty quickly by testing them out. My 2005 Shimano 105 left brifter has an extra trim position for the middle chainring; i.e., four potential clicks. If you think that the mechanism has been passed on down to Tiagra, then that doesn't bode well.

I think that the "problem" with new STI shifters is that they have trim positions that don't correspond well with the internal hub.

I visited today a LBS which has a demo Dahon Speed Pro TT so I took a look at the STI shifter. It does has trimming function and you can easily put in the clockbox indicator in a middle position, between 2nd and 3rd.

Kam

With the 60/42":

1: What FD do you use?

2: What brand is the 60t?
1) Shimano 105
2) Don't know - it came standard on the bike.

Hi
wich kind of racks are you using? this ones made by bike friday?
Thanks