Hydrate

Does anyone make a 52/42/30 crank of good quality
I had a bontrager on my last bike and have upgraded my bike and now have a 53/39 double and am really missing my 42 middle which I did most of my climbing with.

dtrain

https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...0Road%20Cranks

briscoelab

Then why not just get a 42T inner ring?

Hydrate

Can you turn a current double into a triple this way if so great

briscoelab

No, you can't do that. I was just suggesting that if you miss your 42, then just get a 42 instead of the 39. But, it sounds like you miss you granny gear and not the 42.

Hydrate

Well I did not use the granny except when I go out west to the mountains
And I know I cannot ride those without the granny
But the 42 I miss around home

dtrain

What about this: You could put the 39 back on (and also use a larger cassette) when you do climbing rides out West...otherwise use a 42 inner ring. Cheaper than a whole new crankset.

Al1943

Campagnolo has a 53-42-30 triple.

Hydrate

Already have shimano so campy would cost more
Maybe the 42 and rear casstte would be the way to go

acorn_user

Why? It's not like you would have to change more for a campagnolo crankset than you would for a different Shimano crank; it would most likely need a new bottom bracket anyhow.
Stronglight make some really nice road cranks. The Mygal would be an option.
But a new 42t ring would be your best option.

Funnily enough, I need to go in the opposite direction!

Al1943

Probably but you would not need any other Campy parts other than the crankset and bottom bracket. And your question was about an Ultegra or higher triple crankset.
another option would be to find a new or used Ultegra 9-speed 6503 crankset, 52-42-30, it would run with 10-speed as well.

Hydrate

So there is a ultegra 52/42/30 out there I have tryed searching but all I come up with is the 52/39/30

Al1943

Ultegras have been 52-42-30 for many years. It's only the newer 10-speeds that are 52-39-30.

Al

dtrain

The 9-speed Ultegra crankset I posted above (Nashbar link) is a great deal for a 30-42-52. But just a 42 will still be much cheaper.

Al1943

It seems to me that the first decision should be whether or not to stay with the double or go back to a triple. You could consider a different cassette to go with your current double, but it sounds like you really miss the triple. A triple will give you more options as well as closer ratios, the downside is more a bit more weight and trickier derailleur adjustments. A 42 as an inner ring on a double will put some limits on what you can climb.
You are the only one who knows what your gearing needs are.

Al