Originally Posted by oldfart
I recently acquired a road bike with a 53/39 chainring, 12-25 cassette combination (Ultegra). I can't handle the hills, and want to make life easier. It looks like I can get a "compact crank set" which gives me something like 50/34. It would be the easiest solution (I wouldn't need to change the bottom bracket, spindle, or front derailleur it seems). I'm pretty sure if I wanted to go triple, I'd need to change a lot of things around. If I changed the cassette, would I need a different rear derailleur?
any comments?
See you didn't mention if the bike you acquired was used or what its current setup is. If it is an 8spd, you may have to change to a narrower 9spd chain depending on the compatibility of the cranks that you end up getting - I'm sure Syd can weigh in on this. Octalink seems to be harder to find now, with most of the compact makers either going Isis or outboard bearing, but the Ritchey WCS is still out there, Octalink, and pretty reasonable. As for the fd, you're likely to be able to just move it down if clamp and adjust down if braze on and it should be fine.