Double to Triple - What equipment?
04-23-07, 09:07 PM
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Double to Triple - What equipment?
I bought a used Schwinn Prelude - 1989? (Stock photo: 
)
I'm going to build it into a touring bike for my wife. This is a long-term project; she's in no hurry to go on tour due to work. I plan to watch Ebay, Craigslist, Nashbar, and Performance for good deals on parts, and accumulate them a few at a time. (She didn't even ask for it; I just enjoy fixing up old bikes, and I'm between projects at the moment.)
It has a double chainring. I'm looking for advice on what crankset to buy, what derailleur, and maybe what cassette and derailleur for the rear.
I want a triple chainring. What combination of chainrings do you recommend? She likes to ride fast, but being able to climb hills with a load is more important. There's a 105 triple on Ebay with 170mm crank arms and 52-42-30 chainrings. Would this be a good choice?
What length cranks do you recommend? She's about 5' 8".
What derailleur?
We're looking for smoothness and durability.
The bike has downtube shifters. I'm going to convert it to barend.
All input welcome. Thanks in advance!
I'm going to build it into a touring bike for my wife. This is a long-term project; she's in no hurry to go on tour due to work. I plan to watch Ebay, Craigslist, Nashbar, and Performance for good deals on parts, and accumulate them a few at a time. (She didn't even ask for it; I just enjoy fixing up old bikes, and I'm between projects at the moment.)
It has a double chainring. I'm looking for advice on what crankset to buy, what derailleur, and maybe what cassette and derailleur for the rear.
I want a triple chainring. What combination of chainrings do you recommend? She likes to ride fast, but being able to climb hills with a load is more important. There's a 105 triple on Ebay with 170mm crank arms and 52-42-30 chainrings. Would this be a good choice?
What length cranks do you recommend? She's about 5' 8".
What derailleur?
We're looking for smoothness and durability.
The bike has downtube shifters. I'm going to convert it to barend.
All input welcome. Thanks in advance!
04-23-07, 11:57 PM
#2
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As this is for loaded touring, you'd be better off with a mountain bike crankset. A good choice would be a Deore or Deore XT crankset (and front derailleur) with 22-32-44 chainrings. A Deore/Deore XT derailleur would also be appropriate for the rear with either an 11-32 or 12-34 cassette.
If your wife likes to spin, she should definitely not go for longer cranks than 170 mm.
If your wife likes to spin, she should definitely not go for longer cranks than 170 mm.
04-24-07, 01:04 PM
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I am building up a 9 speed tour bike now and I decided to go with a Deore 48T triple because it is availably in full silver. If black MTB cranks are OK with you, the selection is much better in 44T and easier to find bargans on eBay. I would guess that your wife will not like the road crank if she is caring much of a load. I am also changing cassette to an 11-34T to help me get my old rear end over the hills with some weight on board.
