Business810

I currently commute 16 miles RT on my 1992 Bianchi Axis with a 3x7 drivetrain. The triple is a 48/38/28 and the freewheel is 12-32. While it is hilly in Pittsburgh, I have never used the granny ring, and I don't remember the last time I've used the two largest cogs in back.

I'm rapidly approaching the point of needing a new chain so I'm giving thought to changing up the drivetrain. The bike is no lightweight with a rack, fenders, and a Brooks saddle, but part of me is thinking about simplifying things a bit for sake of maintenance and weight. Losing the triple crank, front shifter (bar end), cable, and derailleur is bound to drop a few pounds.

The cheapskate option would be to keep the BB and cranks but only keep one ring in the middle position and a chainguard. Or, I could use this as a chance to replace the BB with a sealed cartridge unit and get a cheap double (or single) crank.

I know there are a few 1x7/8/9/10 commuters on here, so what do you think? Is this worth my while, or am I just looking for an excuse to spend some money on my bike?

climbhoser

You don't need to spend any money. Just get rid of the 48 and keep the 38 in the middle only. If you're not riding bumpy roads then a chainguard isn't necessary. If you want one anyways, check out BBG Bashguards, only $14 shipped.

I have a 1x8 now, with 42x 11-33 in rear, but was running a 1x7 42x12-28 for the longest time. I like it, but I didn't start with a triple. Honestly, why are you going this route?

I did it because I wanted more gears than the ONE I had. It was cheaper than buying a triple and a front der. It doesn't necessarily make a whole bunch lighter to go to a 1x7, and I think the benefit of having the options up front outweight it.

It is kinda trendy, though, so you get style points.

I dunno...I think you sound like you're talking about a new bike

Business810

I think I would want a bigger ring than the 38, but I can find anywhere from a 42-46 for pretty cheap. A chainguard might not be a bad idea with the sort of roads (and occasional trails) I commute on, but it's probably not necessary.

Why? Because I'm just trying to streamline everything a bit to save some weight. I never use the granny gear, and most of the time I just leave it on the big ring as it is. I need to change the chain anyway, so if I were to change chainrings now would be the time to do it as well. Style isn't a big deal with this bike, that's what my Cannondale is for.

That, and I'm just looking for an excuse to tinker

climbhoser

If you wanna tinker and go all out then get a new, cartridge BB, but keep the triple, and keep the spindle length the same. Get TWO BBG Bashguards of the same size and put one on the inner mount, one on the outer (most bombproof, slick 1x? chainguard setup I've seen...N-Gears and Third Eyes are just funky). Pickup a ring of your choice, Salsa makes some nice ones without ramps, maybe a 42 or 44, and slap it between the chainguards on the middle mount.

That's the way to go. My next bike will have my 1x8 with sandwiched 44 tooth sized BBG Bashguards, a 42 front ring and my 11x33 MTB cassette.

cdalefan

I'm running a 42x12-25 my Cannondale F500 hardtail commuter. I would use a little more top end so I may look for a 46 that will fit. I never use the 25 in the current setup so I think I can get away with it. I like the simplicity (both looks and mechanical) of the single chainring and no FD.

AEO

42T chainrings can be found for pretty cheap on fleabay.
you can grind down the 48T to make it into a bash guard.
When you cut the chain down, put in one more extra link than you would with a double or triple.
one extra link will cause too much chain tension to get into the biggest gear, 2 extra links gives enough slack, but not overkill. basically 2 full inches more of chain than you get in the big-big without running it through the dérailleur.

Bill Kapaun

I think I'd take a different approach and get a cassette/FW with closer road type spacing. Something like 12-23?
I'm currently using a custom 12-23 8 speed on my "commuterized" MB. I use the 38T middle ring for all my city riding. Very nice closely spaced gears. I've got 3 more higher gears on the big ring and the granny to fall back on "just in case".

CommuterRun

I've been thinking a 1x10, 46 or 48 x 12-23, on a cyclocross or touring frame would be very hard to beat for my utility cycling purposes.

martianone

My CrossCheck is set up as a 1x9 with a 34 t chain ring and 11-34 cassette, LBS did a great job swapping components from a stock CrossCheck. Additional cost was mostly with some parts (tires and handlebar)
I upgraded and some Labor to do the part swapping. Have put several thousand km on the bike, all kinds of weather and road conditions. Commuting km, riding with my partner and kids, a couple of week long supported tours plus some charity rides- best bike configuration i've ever owned.

nashcommguy

Having lived in the 'Burgh for 10 years and completed the DD(unofficially)several times I know what you're up against. Also, I've been running 1x7,8 and 9 for about 5 years now. Currently, I've got 2 commuters set up w/1x8 and 1x7. Also, a Specialized Crossroads hybrid w/a triple, but that's a whole other thread. The 1x8 is an 85 cannondale SR300 w/a Sugino 103mm bb(universalcycles.com) w/Sugino 170mm cranks and a 48t RocketRing from bikepartsusa.com. Old Shmano barend shifter given to me by a friend. The cassette is 28-24-21-18-16-14-13-12. The der is a Sora 27t I managed to scrape one more tooth out of. Sram PC-18 chain. The Mtb is a 94 Fuji w/a 46t rr in front and a 28x12 cassette. Shimano Un54 triple sealed bb. Sugino single 165mm cranks. Stock Alivio shifter and a Deore der. Again, Sram PC-18 chain.(both have 130mm bolt patterns) If I was going to go first class I'd go w/t FSA chainrings as they're much thicker than the RocketRings, but alot more spendy.

Recently, due to some mechanicals I got a new bike w/a double. Sora shifters, 50-36t frt(which I promptly changed out the 36t for a 40. 9 sp rear is 26-24-22-20-18-16-14-13-12. I never use the small chainring on my commute. But I've got the front der to keep from 'dropping' the chain. I think the suggestion to add bash guards is sound. I 'drop' my chain on my other bikes about once per month when in regular use.

Were I still living in Pittsburgh instead of Middle Tn. I'd drop to 45t and 43t on the front of the two commuters, respectively and leave the rear alone.

Business810

Thanks for the advice everyone! I think my plan (for now) will be to just replace the bearings in the bottom bracket, keep the existing spindle and cranks, and go with 2 bashguards and a 46T in the front. 46:32 is still a very small gear in the low 40 gear-inch range, so I should be able to get anywhere I need while still having a good top-end. I'll report back with my thoughts on how I like it...

nashcommguy

Yeah, that's a good plan. The bashguards are key to keeping the the chain on. And the suggestion to go to a 12x23 cassette is from someone who, obviously has never lived in the 'Burgh.

When you get your set up dialed in take on Rialto St, Canton Hill and Welsh Way straight on...on your honor if you pull them straight on w/no switchbacks, PM me and I'll buy you a case of IC. At the very least, enter the DD and I'll meet you at the Lava Lounge for a Guiness, afterwards.

Business810

I haven't done the DD yet, but I may give it a shot this year. Who knows what sort of bike I'll be riding by then, but it could be the Bianchi...

Will you be coming up to town for it this year? It's usually late November/early December, right?

nashcommguy

It's held on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. https://www.dannychew.com A cyclist friend and I have been talking about coming up for 2 years now. He went to Danny Chew's website amd got all fired up and said, "Dude, I'm pumped...we're doin' it." Circumstances have prevented us, but I think this may be the year. We're looking to do a 'Team Tennessee' w/3 guys and a gal, if possible.

I've got a bike I built just for the DD. It's got a 39:28 low(I may go to a 30t, but I think I'd feel guilty and the der only goes to 28t) and a 39:12 high. It's a 1x8, aluminum frame and I'm swapping the cro/mo fork for a carbon one. It'll have d/t shifting(it's got bar-end now). Real simple rig w/a heavy duty chain...probably a sram pc819...40.00US w/tempered steel links. Also, I'm going to be running 700x20mm Nu-teck airless( https://www.nu-teck.com ) @ 120-125 psi rating. I've been running airless for a couple of years now w/great success. The key is getting the psi up enough to compensate for the natural 'sluggishness' of the nu-teck airless.

Want to wish you the best on whatever you decide and we'll look forward to seeing you in the DD this year. We've got couple of 20+ hills here in mdTN, but nothing like the 'burgh. I trained for a trip to Ireland by doing the DD, but that was w/a loaded triple doing switchbacks(needed the practice...the coast of Ireland is brutal and 'headwind hell', especially the westcoast). At the least the DD gives one something to shoot for besides the 'daily grind' of cycle commuting. BTW, work on your upper body strength and alot of the hills have false crests and can be very disheartening. It's one of the toughest 50 mile courses in the world. Most of all I love the catch phrase: No money, no medals, no mercy...just self respect. Shake Danny's hand and tell him 'I'm a DD finisher'. Looking forward to it.

werewolf

My favorite bike ever was my Specialized touring bike that I converted to 1X5 by removing the inner and outer chain rings. I wish i still had it.