I have a Marin Larkspur CS2 hybrid. Im struggling with the gearing cant get comfortable got a little over 500 miles on her. In the high end on the middle ring and cant go low enough on the big ring.

It comes with a 170mm crank arm 48/38/28 shimano chainring 11-32 8 speed sunrace casette . I keep finding myself on the upper end 6-8 in my middle ring and when i jump to the large ring I have to drop down to 4-5 which clicks on the derailer. I can go up hills in 1 and the middle ring.

I'm thinking of going to a 2 ring crank. keeping the rear casette in a wider 11-36 (36 since my bottom ring is larger) in a 10 speed casette, and going with a compact 50/34. I'm hoping it will reduce the cross chain since it wont have to travel as far either way and let me use the lower gears in the 50 ring. Does this sound right?

What are you guys using, whats working for you. I'm struggling to decipher the gearings.

Update: thanks for the help, I'm thinking it is an issue of the rear casette's gearing. Ordered a new 8 speed 11-28 casette. I'm hoping the more even spacing of gears will help solve the problem.

Update: Well got the new casette on and it is AWSOME! Went on no problem. no issues shifting. the gaps between the gears are noticeably smaller and feel WAY better. Just did a short 2mi ride to test things out. Gonna take a longer ride with some hills tomorrow and really see what she can do.

Last Update. Bike feels great, really enjoying the tighter gear ratios. I did almost 13 miles in the hilly terrain. I did have got get off and walk 3 times, however the hills were super steep, I did make it 1/2 way up each before stopping, and I was towing a trailer with a 2 and 4yr old in it. Without the kids im pretty sure i could have made it. Flats with the trailer was fine.