brokenvow

Howdy,

so I am new to biking and am wondering whether I should swap out the Sugino AT crankset on the mongrel bike that I just picked up off of CL. The reason that I am looking to swap it out is because it seems that the AT set is a bit old and the middle chainring shows a lot of wear and the other two rings show some wear. A more modern crankset with good rings on eBay doesn't look like it will cost much more than replacing a chainring or two. I do have to note that I am a larger guy at 6'5" and 240 lbs. I have read some reviews of the Sugino AT that generally rave about the set, but I don't really know how the old technology compares to something newer.

The bike was built about a year ago with a mix of new and old parts. The frame, forks, headset, bars, brakes, stem, seat post, saddle, RD, BB, and cassette were bought new. The rims were also new, built with new spokes and hubs whose history has been forgotten. I am imagining that the crankset and FD were bought off of eBay. The Tiagra shifters look great, even though the left one was broken. My friend thinks that he has fixed it, so we shall see.

I asked the builder shy he mixed mountain and road bike parts and he said that he used a MTB RD, cassette and hub because he liked the gear ratios better.

I am currently planning on replacing the brake and shifter cables and housings as well as the grip tape.

Does anybody have any advice about the crankset? Any other opinions about anything I should swap out on the bike?

Thanks,
Rob



FRAME
Nashbar (Knesis) Aluminum/Carbon Frame XL (60)
FORK
Time Millennium Carbon Forks (53002187)
HEADSET
Ritchey
STEM
Forte Pro (2014)
HANDLEBARS
Profile Design H2O oversized
FRONT BRAKE
Nashbar
REAR BRAKE
Nashbar
BRAKE LEVERS
Shimano Tiagra ST-4500
FRONT DERAILLEUR
Shimano 105 (FD 5603 or FD 5600, couldn't tell)
REAR DERAILLEUR
Nashbar MicroShift, long cage
SHIFT LEVERS
Shimano Tiagra ST-4500
CASSETTE
Nashbar 9 speed, 11-28, (DnP? Sun Race?)
CHAIN
KMC Super Narrow
CRANKSET
Sugino AT 175
CHAINRINGS
50/36/24t
BOTTOM BRACKET
Tange Industries
PEDALS
Nashbar
RIMS
Velocity Aerohead (wheelset by Parallax)
FRONT HUB
?
REAR HUB
Shimano Deore LX (FH-M565)
SPOKES
?
SADDLE
Skye
SEATPOST
Ascent carbon
SEAT BINDER
Nashbar

TallRider

changing the crank is a pain, because you'll likely also need to replace the bottom bracket to make sure you keep proper chainline.
the Sugino AT is a good functional crank and while it's among the oldest parts on the bike (at least the AT cranks I'm familiar with), as long as it works fine I don't see any reason for you to switch.
If the chain skips on the middle chainring, you could replace that chainring (which will see a lot more use than the other two chainrings and so will wear more quickly) but chainrings tend to last a long time unless they're used for a long time with a completely worn-out chain.

I could give you opinions on things to change on the bike, but my first advice is just to ride it and if you notice stuff that doesn't work so well (e.g., you'll see if the front shifter works, particularly when paired with older chainrings that aren't ramped to aid shifting).
You'll also see what gear ratios you use most and what you'd like to keep when you update stuff.
If you just want to replace chainrings (which is the easiest way to go to aid shifting if you find that necessary), the Sugino AT has a 110mm bolt pattern.

JohnDThompson 

There's nothing wrong with an AT crank. In its day, it was Sugino's top of the line touring crank. The arms are forged, like on expensive racing cranks, rather than cast as on lower models. The BCDs are standard 110mm for the outer and middle rings and standard 74mm for the inner ring, so replacement rings are readily available.

brokenvow

Thanks much for the replies! Any suggestions where I could order replacement chainrings and cables and housings?

fietsbob

How about your local bike shop?

brokenvow

I'm moving in two days, so I haven't hooked up with one yet. The shop that I frequent now is great, but I am not going to have a chance to get there before the move.

Bonk

When you settle into your new digs, get back to us and will help you find a solution. BTW where are you moving to? Hope I'm not too late with this helpful reply......

reddog3

Chainrings and cable are available from many on-line sources. Here's one I use most- www.universalcycles.com Or... the LBS. Any shop "should" have the parts.

BTW, it is helpful if you include your location in you profile.

02Giant 

The OP apparently disappeared after last posting in 2011...

Pistard

too funny.....