5kdad

Since both my bikes are about 15+ years old, I've decided its time for a new bike. After today's test ride, I'm probably going to buy the Giant fcr 2 or 3.
I need lower gears, as I occasionally get into some steep hills (NW Arkansas and SW Missouri), which might not be a problem if I were not over weight. So, don't make this a discussion about whether or not I need lower gears. At this point, I do.
These bikes have a 11-27 rear cassette. The bike I ride now has goes up to 34, and I occasionally need that gear. I've seen online where there is a 11-34 rear cassette.
The lbs guy tells me that cassette SHOULD fit the fcr bike, anyone know for sure?

stapfam

The 11/34 casette in 10 speed is Not a shimano Casstte but is made by IRD. It is not cheap and a link below. I have heard criticism of the lack of crispness to gear changing using this cassette- but I have also heard of others saying it is OK. My only comment is that the jump fron 9th to 10th gear is a bit large.

The FCR 2 and 3 come with a triple crank. I have an old SCR 3 (Similar bike) that had a triple on it to give a lowest gearing of 30/28. When i went to the mountains- I changed the granny ring to a 28. It is also possible to change that granny to a 26. 26/27 is a low gear but it will involve a change or rear derailler to a long cage- but so will the IRD 11/32.

Another alternative is to get the shop to change the crank to a "Touring" crankset. Typical versions on this have 48/36/24 chain rings- or you could go lower with an MTB set with 44/32/22 but that may be too low.

And good choice on the FCR- Have one but it is set up as a road bike with Drop handlebars.


https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/k7.html#10

stapfam

And separate from the above reply- I had mountain bikes till 3 years ago. Gearing on these was 44/32/22 and a 9 spd 11/32 cassette. Off road and I need those gears. Did a couple of century road rides each year and just changed to slicks. I still needed those low gears up some of the steep hills.

Then 3 years ago changed to road and gearing of 52/42/30 and a 12/28 8 spd cassette. Those steep hills I struggled up the hills on the MTB with 22/32- I still struggled up with 30/28 but no harder. Then I got another road bike with compact crankset of 50/34 and 10 spd cassette of 12/27. The same hills I struggled up with the triple with 30/28- I now struggled up with 34/27- but no harder and in fact a lot quicker.

Don't know what bike you had before- but a lighter more suitable bike for the road is easier to get up the hills. Even if the gearing is higher. BUT- on the mountains I do change to lower gearing of 28/28 and I need it.

5kdad

Hadn't thought about changing out the crank set, thanks.
I currently have two bikes. Mt bike is an older (and heavier) Schwinn Frontier and rode bike is a Bianchi Strada Lx, which has the 34 granny gear on the cassette.

bobbyl1966

I have one bianchi strada lx. I have put crank 53/39 and cassete 9 speeds 12-25. On my mountain bike trek 830 antelope i put 52/40 crank and has 7 speeds cassete now 13-30 but is too wide. What sizes crank you think is good for road bike and mountain bike. To go fast in flats and have low gears for hills but to keep good cadence too

ThermionicScott 

C'mon, man. You just bumped another 5-year-old thread to ask the same damned question again. You know better than this.