Crankset(s) aluminum or steel? and Sizing.
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 104
Bikes: Surly LHT
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Crankset(s) aluminum or steel? and Sizing.
I'm looking to save some money, and find a good mid-range durable crankset so that I might be able afford say, a phil woods bottom bracket. I've seen a few recommendations for the Suigno Triples -- looks like they have one with aluminum chainrings and steel chainrings both 46-36-26. Some thoughts? I really have no experience with these.
Also would you pair this with a 8 or 9 speed cassette?
Thanks in advance
Juilin
Also would you pair this with a 8 or 9 speed cassette?
Thanks in advance
Juilin
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: SE Minnesota
Posts: 12,275
Bikes: are better than yours.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
If you're planning on changing the chainrings, get the steel ones because they're a lot cheaper and otherwise the cranks are the same. If you like the gearing as-is, going with aluminum will save some weight and still be pretty durable.
I prefer eight speed on a touring bike because it is cheaper, more durable, and less finicky than nine. Parts availability is a far smaller concern than many make it out to be. Most nine speed parts will fit into eight speed drivertrains with no problems. So if you are stuck somewhere and can't find eight speed bits, you can replace them with nine speed.
I prefer eight speed on a touring bike because it is cheaper, more durable, and less finicky than nine. Parts availability is a far smaller concern than many make it out to be. Most nine speed parts will fit into eight speed drivertrains with no problems. So if you are stuck somewhere and can't find eight speed bits, you can replace them with nine speed.
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 104
Bikes: Surly LHT
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Do you think a 46-36-26 would pair well with a shimano 8spd 11-30. Seems to be to provide a good range but I've never done fully loaded touring before.
#4
In planning
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 81
Bikes: Revell custom tourer,Kona Stinky,Omega TI,Gaint TCR,Simonchinni,Raliegh ti,S&M Next Gen.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
As far as I concerned there is no oproblem running nine speed as I've used it for more years than I care to remeber in either Campag or Shimano forms on my road bike as well as my mountain bike, come on guys your going have to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st centuary, sadly neon colours and disco has had it's day lol. Some of you guys seem to be techno phobes, nine speed must be getting on for ten years old and if it was crap and didn't work it wouldn't be so widly used through out the world on all manner of bikes.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: SE Minnesota
Posts: 12,275
Bikes: are better than yours.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Originally Posted by challengea2z
As far as I concerned there is no oproblem running nine speed as I've used it for more years than I care to remeber in either Campag or Shimano forms on my road bike as well as my mountain bike, come on guys your going have to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st centuary, sadly neon colours and disco has had it's day lol. Some of you guys seem to be techno phobes, nine speed must be getting on for ten years old and if it was crap and didn't work it wouldn't be so widly used through out the world on all manner of bikes.
This means that for a minimal increase in gearing options (usually less than the three you'd think you'd get due to ratio duplication), you will likely find that chains wear faster and shifting needs more adjusting. I have no doubt that nine and ten speed systems work. I use them all the time. But, IMHO, price/performance favors eight speed systems, especially on triples.
While retro for the sake of retro may be unwise, novelty for its own sake is equally unwise while also being expensive.
#6
Senior Member
Originally Posted by Juilin
Do you think a 46-36-26 would pair well with a shimano 8spd 11-30. Seems to be to provide a good range but I've never done fully loaded touring before.
Be careful not to get a "Megarange" that jumps from 26 to 34 on the largest two cogs - it is too large a jump for touring where you run in the bottom two or three gears a lot. Those are for people with recreational bikes who want a normal riding range plus a "bailout" gear. I think the ideal 8 speed cassette for touring is the 12-14-16-18-21-24-28-32. Paired with 46-36-24 it is ideal coverage, giving you 20 to 100 gear inches.
#7
Senior Member
Originally Posted by challengea2z
come on guys your going have to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st centuary, sadly neon colours and disco has had it's day lol. .
lol
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: England
Posts: 12,948
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
The Phill Woods is a nice BB but there is nothing wrong with a high-end Shimano square taper (UN72?).
Is a 26 ring going to be small enough?
What kind of tour are you doing?
Is a 26 ring going to be small enough?
What kind of tour are you doing?
#9
Shoot Your Car
Originally Posted by mtnroads
I
Be careful not to get a "Megarange" that jumps from 26 to 34 on the largest two cogs - it is too large a jump for touring where you run in the bottom two or three gears a lot. Those are for people with recreational bikes who want a normal riding range plus a "bailout" gear. I think the ideal 8 speed cassette for touring is the 12-14-16-18-21-24-28-32. Paired with 46-36-24 it is ideal coverage, giving you 20 to 100 gear inches.
Be careful not to get a "Megarange" that jumps from 26 to 34 on the largest two cogs - it is too large a jump for touring where you run in the bottom two or three gears a lot. Those are for people with recreational bikes who want a normal riding range plus a "bailout" gear. I think the ideal 8 speed cassette for touring is the 12-14-16-18-21-24-28-32. Paired with 46-36-24 it is ideal coverage, giving you 20 to 100 gear inches.
I used a "megarange "cassette for my XC USA trip and I found it to be great in that in the mountains it gave you a bail out gear!!
BTW I never used my granny after leaving Custer in SD
#10
Senior Member
Well sure, the 34 is low enough, but if you are climbing a lot of hills the jump to the next gear is sometimes too big, so you either crawl along in the "bailout" gear or have to push too hard in the next one. Maybe it's just me - it is all hills around here (northern Calif) and I am often in one of the bottom two or three gears when loaded.
#11
Senior Member
Originally Posted by mtnroads
Be careful not to get a "Megarange" that jumps from 26 to 34 on the largest two cogs - it is too large a jump for touring where you run in the bottom two or three gears a lot. Those are for people with recreational bikes who want a normal riding range plus a "bailout" gear. I think the ideal 8 speed cassette for touring is the 12-14-16-18-21-24-28-32. Paired with 46-36-24 it is ideal coverage, giving you 20 to 100 gear inches.
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 104
Bikes: Surly LHT
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Last question for you guys. Would you recommend a 165, 170, or 175 mm crank for touring. I'm 6'1" (ish) with a 34" pant inseam and 83.5 cycling inseam. I'm leaning towards the 170, but I need some advice from those that know what they're doing.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Worcester, Mass.
Posts: 298
Bikes: Several
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm just a little taller than you and use 175's, but I don't thing there would be any real downside to using 170 for you and in fact may be more appropriate for touring. Check out this article: https://sheldonbrown.com/cranks.html
#14
LHT Commuter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Anaheim, CA
Posts: 467
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker & Motobecane Le Champion
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Juilin
with a 34" pant inseam and 83.5 cycling inseam.
I am 6'4" with a 34" pants inseam and a 90cm "true" inseam. I use 175mm cranks on my LHT. I am happy with the length. I do have to be careful about pedal strike because of the low bottom bracket on the LHT.
IMO there is no right crankarm length, it is a matter of comfort and efficiency. What length cranks do you normally use?