Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Have any of you converted a MTB triple into a compact double?

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
RFC
10-01-09, 02:23 PM
Here is my issue. I have a cyclocross bike with a 53x39 double crank and double octalink BB. I want to reduce the gearing via a different crank. I might go 50x34 compact, but it would be interesting to try something different.

The question is whether I could convert a MTB triple to a double by removing the granny and end up with something like a 46x32? I don't want to make all of the mods that would be required to make this a dedicated triple bike.

Will the modified MTB triple crank fit on the existing BB or would I have to get a triple specific BB?

Thanks

Gonzo Bob
10-02-09, 04:23 PM
I put a 5-arm 94/58mm BCD MTB "triple" on my touring bike and use Ritchey 2x9 rings - 44x29. The crank takes a sq taper BB, though, so it was easy to get one of the appropriate length for best use as a double on a road bike.

As far as getting a MTB crank that will fit the octalink BB, that I don't know. You might be able to find one. But you might want a new BB anyway since you might want to get a different length for good chainline.