Cyclocross - New to the CX scene - bitten by the upgrade bug already (Tricross upgrades)

Good day all,

I have a 2010 Tricross Triple (base model with Shimano 2300) which I absolutely love.

I want to streamline my bike a little by ditching the triple in favor of a traditional double road crank setup.

Like I said, I have Shimano 2300 with a triple crank and an 8 speed cassette. So my questions are:

1) What's the difference between a normal and compact crank?
2) What else will be needed to make such a change?

Thanks for your time.

1) Assuming you mean standard double as normal. Standard double has a 130 BCD. Look up BCD on google if you don't know what that is. Standard double can only go down to a 38 inner ring. Big ring is usually a 53 or 52. Sometimes you'll see a 50. Compact road double is a has a 110 BCD and usually has a 50 outer ring and a 34 or 36 inner ring. Now for cross, we've got our own crankset range. Still uses a 110 BCD compact crank, but you'll find them usually in a 48 or 46 outter ring and anywhere from 34/36/38 inner ring. Depending on your course and conditions usually determines what rings you'd use.

2) To make that change to a compact crank, you'll obviously need a crank (I recommend looking at JensenUSA. I just bought a Shimano R700, Ultegra level, for $89) and bottom bracket (that crank comes with the bottom bracket). Most new cranks today use an external bottom bracket where yours uses a cartridge type. Other than that, you should be golden. You'll need to lower your front derailleur and shorten your chain a little, but the rest should work fine.

Have you thought about changing out your entire groupset for something like 105 or SRAM Rival or even the new Apex? That will allow you to move to 10speed cassettes and you also get brifters which would be a pretty nice upgrade to what you already have.

I will eventually upgrade the whole groupset. Perhaps I should do it all in one shot later down the road. I'm in no rush to do it, as I've only owned the bike for 3 weeks (and only have been road cycling for the same time too). I have in no way outgrown (skillwise) the gear I own now. I will probably just run the 2300 groupset into the ground and upgrade then.

While I do have the bug, I had an epiphany today. Its not the gear that makes the ride. I was riding alone (which I usually do) when a group came up behind me and passed. They were all on carbon road bikes, slick road shoes...the whole meal deal. Then there was me on my aluminum Tricross, MTB shoes, and a small hydration knapsack. I took up the rear of the group for about 3-4 km until we came to a big hill. I shot up to the front while saying "hey, my turn to tow" and I led the pack up the climb. At the top, the lead guy said - "hey man, very nice climb!!" They turned off in the opposite direction to my route and I carried on my way. I was so happy with my first "group ride" experience and that I don't need carbon frames, Ultregra or Dura-ace - to enjoy myself.

Thanks for all your input and I'll re-engage the issue when the time is right.

Smart man..