As the title says, I just got bit by the tinkering bug again and wanted to get some opinions.

I set my Curtlo up flat-bar style with XT 950 series derailleurs and shifters and cassette (11-32), and a Dura Ace 7703 triple road crankset (30-39-53). It shifts flawlessly.

In the 8 or 9 years I have been riding this set-up the only time I have ever shifted onto the small chainring is when adjusting the FD, so I am thinking of removing that ring and just running it as a double up front.

As you probably know, the 7703 crank is unique in that the small ring is not mounted to the spyder but is actually just bolted to the middle ring.

My thinking is to lose the small ring, swap out the BB for a double, and remount and readjust the FD as needed.

I am looking at using an Ultegra 6500 BB since I’ve heard the Dura Ace 7700 is twitchy to set up and maintain and I already have the Ultegra on hand.

I might look at a short cage RD at some point but at this point I don’t need to buy anything and I can always put it back if I don’t like it.

The gains I expect are a cleaner appearance and a slightly reduced Q factor (and it will be fun to do!).

Any thoughts..?

You describe a Tripleizer in parts function..

lower than 30,t, TA makes a 130 -74 to get a bigger drop to a 24t

Up shifts From 24 to a 40t (as Ive used on my touring bike triple for 2 decades)

Is done at the hill top where the chain is not pulling hard.


Why bother with ring 3 for just 1 lower ratio, Bigger drop is good for maybe 3 0r 4

I've been riding my old mountain bike on the road and never shift to the granny, either. It is a tempting project, and why not go for it? I'll be interested in you results. Can you shorten the range of motion of the FD enough?

sounds good. i was going to recommend trying things out first with minimal changes, but, i get it, you want to fuss with the bike a bit. i do it too. what's more, it looks like you already have some of the parts. have fun!

For the life of me I cannot see how this applies to my thread, but thanks...

Not sure about the FD; guess I'll just have to do it and see...

You guys get it!

It may be a few days before I get to it but I'll be sure to post a follow-up...

Sounds interesting and obviously you know what you are doing, unlike many of the ideas we see here.

Actually, the FC-7703 is no longer unique as Shimano has adopted that "tripleizer" approach to it's newer road cranks including the Ultegra FC-6703 and Tiagra FC-4603. The only downside to those of use who really need a triple is the 90+ mm BCD limits us to a 30T chainring as a minimum. At this point, the now obsolete FC-5703 is the only triple with a distinct 74 mm granny bolt circle.

The BB-6500 Octalink bottom bracket has been extremely durable in my experience as I have one with over 38,000 miles and it's still in good condition. You are aware they were available in only two lengths, 109.5 mm for the double cranks and 118.5 for the triple cranks so try the 109.5 and see if everything clears.

I'm sure then low limit screw on your fd can be adjusted to lock out the granny position and, at worst, replace it with a longer bolt.

I'll repeat the advise we usually give about turning a triple crank and shifter into a double. Set up the shifter to use the outer two positions so an unwanted shift into the third (granny) chainring just results in a slack cable, not a broken shifter which can happen if you try to force it into a blocked out "big ring" position.