Originally Posted by
pierce
new hybrid build-in-progress. using 700x40 slicks, 50-34T compact double crankset w/ a 13-32 rear, it started life as a 90s diamondback taiwan-built steel hybrid.
will be getting 45c black fenders for winter. I'm a 50-something 225 lb who wants to get back into riding trim, so this will be my bike-trail special for cruising around town.
p.s. Secret to using a compact double 50:34 crank? add 2mm spacers to the small ring, and adjust the BB width so the large chainring is close to midway on the rear cluster ... that way you can use the big gear with all your rear gears just like it was a 7-8 speed, then the small 34T is good for the biggest 5 or so sprockets, and gets you all kinda low gears. I'm using vintage suntour thumb friction shifters, so gear spacing is -eh-
when I shift the front, I drop 2 on the back and its the next gear in sequence...
before I added the 2mm spacers, the chain hit the big ring when i was in the small ring in anything but the largest three rears.