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Switching to less gears?

Old 07-22-08, 10:02 AM
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Switching to less gears?

Newb here so bare with me. I recently bought my first road bike, a Windsor Wellington 2.0. No need for discussion into the bike itself.......Its a 24 speed with Shimano "Sora" derailluers. With recent issues with the front derailluer i have a set right now so I only can use the middle and big sprocket up front, no little sprocket until i get it into the lbs on thursday.

I found i do not really need this many gears. are there any advantages to switching to less gears, and what would be the work/cost involved as cheaply as possible considering the bike. like if i only had two sprockets up front. also if this is just a stupid idea let me know. maybe someone would want to trade parts around here?? do you guys do that.
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Old 07-22-08, 10:09 AM
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I would keep it just as it is (once you get your FD issue taken care of). As you become a more seasoned cyclist, you may find yourself on terrain where the gears you have are most helpful.
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Old 07-22-08, 10:11 AM
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Like you I bought a road bike with a triple not realizing that I'd never use the granny ring. When DA went to 10-speeds a few years ago, I was able to get a great deal on a 9-speed DA group from the LBS. But it's not really worth switching to double unless you're looking to upgrade or you happen to get a really good deal. I was just lucky to have both happen at the same time.

The advantages to a double is that they're slightly lighter, slightly easier to set up and maintain, and much, much cooler looking.
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Old 07-22-08, 10:19 AM
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Yah searching through some old posts and it looks like it could be expensive, especially with the integrated brake lever shifter?? Anyways, glad i have a cheapy as a first bike, when I do spend some real dollars I will know exactly what i want.
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Old 07-22-08, 10:22 AM
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Going from triple to double, I don't think you'll need new levers (you'll just have a useless click on the left/front shifter), but you will need a new crankset and bottom bracket at a minimum.
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Old 07-22-08, 11:08 AM
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You can always choose to use fewer gears, or pick some combination you like and treat it as a single-speed (never saw the wisdom in "converting" a multi-geared bike to a single-speed, just pick what you like and leave it).
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Old 07-22-08, 08:48 PM
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Actually I have an interest related to this. The old 10 speed and 12 speed
bicycles had all the gears I need (imho) and it would be really nice if they
could be sold again. Is there such a thing available these days?
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Old 07-22-08, 09:04 PM
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I have a bike with an 8 speed cassette and the gap between gears is pretty big, compared to a 10 speed that allows me to maintain a more consistent cadence. Campy's 11 speed will be even better! (or not)
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Old 07-23-08, 12:42 AM
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Am I missing something here? If you don't want to use the granny gear just pull the crank off and remove the granny ring and remount the crank. Adjust the limit screws so the FD won't drop the chain off the inside of the second ring and call it done.

Monitor the chain line for a while and if it seems bad perhaps look at a BB that has a shorter axle to move the cranks in a little closer to the frame so the two remaining rings center on the most used rear sprockets in the cassette.

At worst you'll need to buy a new BB.

The limit screws on the FD will prevent you shifting into the third spot if you adjust the cable so it thinks it's in the granny when it's actually in the middle (new low) ring. When you shift up to the big ring and try to shift past it the limit screw will block the cable from moving any further an the brifter won't let you select the last "click".
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Old 07-23-08, 12:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Closed Office
Actually I have an interest related to this. The old 10 speed and 12 speed
bicycles had all the gears I need (imho) and it would be really nice if they
could be sold again. Is there such a thing available these days?
You need a vintage road bike. I have a few, but I'm not willing to part with any of them.

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Old 07-23-08, 01:08 PM
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I use everything on my 3x7. I like my knees.

Seriously, though, cheaper, easier, and generally more useful to leave as is. Just pretend you don't havea granny ring.
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Old 07-23-08, 02:09 PM
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I didn't have need of a Granny ring until i hooked up a trailer. Then it was all i used... you never know.
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