Ok, so the saga continues...I decided to go to the LBS where I originally bought the bike for a 2nd opinion. The first tech I got was this young guy who, after I explained everything, was very eager and willing to do whatever I wanted. He went back into the shop and came back with a 44 ring, saying that they didn't have any 46 in stock but that a 44 would work just as well. I didn't think I wanted to go that far down though (did I mention that the tech races cyclocross?) and was admittedly skeptical that he thought I could basically change out to any ring combo even though the first LBS said my options were limited. So I told tech 1 (I have to start numbering the techs) that I thought that 46/34 would be best and didn't mind if they had to order something for me. I also kept asking "Are you sure that combo will work with my bike?" but he seemed assured that he could get just about any combo to work.
As he starts looking up order info for the rings, though, I notice he's taking quite a long time and doing lots of typing and clicking. He has to call over a second guy (tech 2) for help. He tells me he can get me a 46/34 and it won't be SRAM but they're just as good and actually easier to install than SRAM and cheaper too. But then he keeps clicking and looking, and then he asks about my bottom bracket. Ok, I really couldn't tell what about my BB if I had a gun to my head so he checks it out and then clicks and types some more, and then says that I will have to get SRAM after all, that what this other company makes won't work with my bike.
Then he types and clicks some more, and asks for some help from tech 2 a couple of times, then he realizes I can't do a 46/34 but maybe could do a 48/34. This makes sense to me because when I was researching last night I saw that SRAM makes a 48/34 for Apex. But then when tech 1 is trying to order the right 34 ring for me he notices that he can only find one that works with a 50 ring. "What about such and such?" he asks tech 2. "Oh, that shouldn't matter" replies tech 2. At this point I mention that I had taken the bike to another LBS last night and was told I couldn't go any lower than a 50 on the big ring, and wanted to get a second opinion. I told them I couldn't remember the exact reason for not being able to go lower than 50 but that the first LBS assured me that there was a reason. Tech 2 seemed a bit dubious, but took another look at my bike and then said that he would go talk to tech 3 in the back (apparently the head tech.)
He comes back out and explains that in fact I can't go any lower than a 50 for the big ring because of the geometry of the FD; anything smaller than 50 and it would throw the chain off. The FD is brazed on and still can be adjusted, but he said that even adjusting or replacing the FD wouldn't help.
So I spent about 45 minutes there and it's a bit disconcerting that they were about to order rings that wouldn't have worked for me (which they would have realized after installing them) but I'm just glad that I confirmed what the first LBS told me because they're a lot closer to me and I'd rather work with them in the future.
I included a pic I took with my cell phone of the FD, hopefully the pic is helpful, I wasn't sure what the best angle to take it from was but it's better than nothing.
