Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Is there any 46/34 (not 36) crankset option for 11sp that fits BSA Shimano cups?

Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Is there any 46/34 (not 36) crankset option for 11sp that fits BSA Shimano cups?

Old 02-23-22, 02:28 PM
  #1  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 265
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 125 Post(s)
Liked 29 Times in 24 Posts
Is there any 46/34 (not 36) crankset option for 11sp that fits BSA Shimano cups?

The only crankset from Shimano currently in 46/34 is FC-460 which is meant to be 10-speed. Up the lineup there's very limited subcompact options or am I missing something?

105 R7000 comes as 50/34 and standards only!

Ultegra offers 46/36 at best.

So I have to go buy 34T to put it on the Ultegra compact to get the 46/34?

Why does 46/34 get no love? And (this will be controversial) what is the 46/36 good for actually?
am8117 is offline  
Old 02-23-22, 03:02 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
squirtdad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,848

Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque

Mentioned: 104 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2302 Post(s)
Liked 2,736 Times in 1,497 Posts
most likely this is because of the market wants (i.e buys)
here is my speculation, not fact, speculation
105/ultegra/dura ace are road groups so most buyer need or think they need the 50...and the 34 when combined with a 34 max rear cog pretty reasonable 1 to 1 low gearing

46/36 could be either for people trying to run some thing like a 10/42 (if they can get a rear derailler to work with that which is a question)

46/30 is logical because it give lower range and keeps with the current shimano rear derailler spec no more than 16to difference in crank rings

I really don't see 46/36 but similarly I don't see much need for 46/34 it gives a bit more low than 46/36 but has same high end limitations

maybe search shimanot press releases?
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)



squirtdad is offline  
Old 02-23-22, 03:29 PM
  #3  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 265
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 125 Post(s)
Liked 29 Times in 24 Posts
Originally Posted by squirtdad
46/30 is logical because it give lower range and keeps with the current shimano rear derailler spec no more than 16to difference in crank rings
They did this with their GRX now (46/30), but their old fashioned CX groupsets were FC 46/36. The 46/30 would require PCD not really offered for road doubles.

But then before GRX, people were not riding gravel on road groupsets and cranksets?
am8117 is offline  
Old 02-23-22, 03:34 PM
  #4  
sch
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Mountain Brook. AL
Posts: 4,002
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 303 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 136 Times in 104 Posts
46/36 was aimed at gravel riders with 200-300+ watts of power. Shimano realized not everyone met that criteria hence
the GRX series with 46/31 and 48/32 cranks for those of us with more modest capabilities. Haven't looked at BCD
but most of us would fiddle with the cassette to get the range desired between 31t and 36t cranks. Chainwheels are
probably around for chainwheels between 31-32 and 36 t but you have to go to specialty (and frequently $$) makers
to find them.
sch is offline  
Likes For sch:
Old 02-23-22, 03:36 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 4,083
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2332 Post(s)
Liked 2,094 Times in 1,311 Posts
I had 46/34 on a 9000 DA crank......rotor rings. I did not like it and reverted back to normal ratio. I believe shimano made a 46 for cross.
GhostRider62 is offline  
Old 02-23-22, 04:00 PM
  #6  
kek
top
 
kek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 32
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Liked 18 Times in 10 Posts
46-32T 2x11 crankset Shimano Metrea FC-U5000-2
kek is offline  
Old 02-23-22, 04:06 PM
  #7  
Expired Member
 
shelbyfv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,453
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3634 Post(s)
Liked 5,310 Times in 2,698 Posts
If you can get the 46/36 Ultegra, just buy a 34t ring for it. Not expensive and it will work well. Personally, I like a 46/34. I'm using a CX70 46t ring on a 10 speed Ultegra crank. Would have been less expensive to go the other way but it's what I had. As others have mentioned, the 46/36 is the traditional CX gearing. They don't need the extremes of 50 or 34 and the smaller 10t drop is more forgiving in muck, less likely to drop a chain. In theory, anyway..
shelbyfv is offline  
Likes For shelbyfv:
Old 02-23-22, 04:25 PM
  #8  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 265
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 125 Post(s)
Liked 29 Times in 24 Posts
Originally Posted by kek
46-32T 2x11 crankset Shimano Metrea FC-U5000-2
Oh, didn't know this one even existed ... it looks and spec says it's heavy. I like the looks (already can feel the audience judging me), but ... I think this would be the same compatibility issue like road and GRX that the chainlines will be different and thus FDs ...
am8117 is offline  
Old 02-23-22, 04:37 PM
  #9  
kek
top
 
kek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 32
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Liked 18 Times in 10 Posts
it is heavy, but unlike grx it has road chain line it is officially compatible with other road fd (link)
is will be discontinued, so it is not a long term solution, but it can be found on sale

Last edited by kek; 02-23-22 at 04:43 PM.
kek is offline  
Old 02-23-22, 04:40 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
CliffordK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,600
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18318 Post(s)
Liked 4,486 Times in 3,336 Posts
I prefer a little wider range on my crankset, especially as one can have 10s, 11s, and now 12s in the rear.

I presume one of the reasons not to go too small with the sprockets on the crankset is the HUGE sprockets on the rear. 34T in the "road" groupset?

But, of course, what one loses with those pie plate cassettes is the tight range gearing. Single tooth jumps?
CliffordK is offline  
Old 02-23-22, 04:42 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
cxwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Nor-Cal
Posts: 3,767

Bikes: lots

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1958 Post(s)
Liked 2,932 Times in 1,489 Posts
Why don't you just get the FC-460?
cxwrench is offline  
Likes For cxwrench:
Old 02-23-22, 04:43 PM
  #12  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 265
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 125 Post(s)
Liked 29 Times in 24 Posts
Originally Posted by kek
it is heavy, but unlike grx it has road chain line it is officially compatible with other road fd (link)
is will be discontinued, so it is not a long term solution, but it can be found on sale
Thanks! That's neat. I had always manually searched in those PDFs ... learned something today
am8117 is offline  
Old 02-23-22, 04:45 PM
  #13  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 265
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 125 Post(s)
Liked 29 Times in 24 Posts
Originally Posted by cxwrench
Why don't you just get the FC-460?
Because I'm almost afraid to ask here what's the pitch difference (or what to call it) in 2x10 and 2x11 FC ... if only these were somewhere specified ... as in .. chainrings are thinner ... or they are the same but more densely spaced. I had no difficulties using 10sp FCs with 9sp drivetrains but I always said to myself there's zero chance the chain can get stuck inbetween the chainrings because after all the chain plates were thicker than the FC was specced for. I have no experience the other way.
am8117 is offline  
Old 02-23-22, 04:50 PM
  #14  
Expired Member
 
shelbyfv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,453
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3634 Post(s)
Liked 5,310 Times in 2,698 Posts
Isn't your bike Claris 8 speed? The 10 speed crank would be a better match.
shelbyfv is offline  
Old 02-23-22, 04:53 PM
  #15  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 265
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 125 Post(s)
Liked 29 Times in 24 Posts
Originally Posted by shelbyfv
Isn't your bike Claris 8 speed? The 10 speed crank would be a better match.
Shelby no, I have to work on other people's bikes as they recognized my competence which I owe to these forum's warriors. And this Ultegra is for the bike with the spoon brake upgrade scheduled.
am8117 is offline  
Likes For am8117:
Old 02-23-22, 04:55 PM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
cxwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Nor-Cal
Posts: 3,767

Bikes: lots

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1958 Post(s)
Liked 2,932 Times in 1,489 Posts
Originally Posted by am8117
Because I'm almost afraid to ask here what's the pitch difference (or what to call it) in 2x10 and 2x11 FC ... if only these were somewhere specified ... as in .. chainrings are thinner ... or they are the same but more densely spaced. I had no difficulties using 10sp FCs with 9sp drivetrains but I always said to myself there's zero chance the chain can get stuck inbetween the chainrings because after all the chain plates were thicker than the FC was specced for. I have no experience the other way.
There is none. They are 100% compatible. The pitch is the same on all drivetrains, all speeds. The only difference is 1/8" (track/bmx) and 3/32" (road/mtb).
cxwrench is offline  
Old 02-23-22, 04:59 PM
  #17  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 265
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 125 Post(s)
Liked 29 Times in 24 Posts
Originally Posted by cxwrench
There is none. They are 100% compatible. The pitch is the same on all drivetrains, all speeds. The only difference is 1/8" (track/bmx) and 3/32" (road/mtb).
Are you sure? I mean the chains were getting narrower ever since ... 7-speed? The FCs are marketed (I understand that may be marketing only) as if it mattered ... e.g. 2x10, 3x11, etc ...
am8117 is offline  
Old 02-23-22, 05:10 PM
  #18  
Senior Member
 
CliffordK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,600
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18318 Post(s)
Liked 4,486 Times in 3,336 Posts
Originally Posted by am8117
Are you sure? I mean the chains were getting narrower ever since ... 7-speed? The FCs are marketed (I understand that may be marketing only) as if it mattered ... e.g. 2x10, 3x11, etc ...
They've been narrowing the external width of the chains, peening rivets, etc. But the internal width is largely still 3/32, or perhaps 11/128". What an odd size...

https://bike.bikegremlin.com/1220/1-...compatibility/

So, your 11 speed chains will largely be happy with 9 or 10 speed chainrings. But, you do run a small risk of dropping the chain between chainrings.

They did thin the rear sprockets slightly. That may well help pack the sprockets tighter together.
CliffordK is offline  
Old 02-23-22, 05:20 PM
  #19  
Mother Nature's Son
 
delbiker1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Sussex County, Delaware
Posts: 3,111

Bikes: 2014 Orbea Avant MD30, 2004 Airborne Zeppelin TI, 2003 Lemond Poprad, 2001 Lemond Tourmalet, 2014? Soma Smoothie

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 838 Post(s)
Liked 1,414 Times in 801 Posts
You can buy a Shimano 11 speed 34T chain ring for less than $19 usd with shipping. A bit more of a search and you may find one less than that.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/203590514773
https://www.ebay.com/itm/203692535112?

I live in the flatlands of south-coastal Delaware and a 34t ring is too low. A 36 is much better for me. I would change the big ring on my 105 7000 to 48T, if they were readily available and not so expensive.

Last edited by delbiker1; 02-23-22 at 05:31 PM. Reason: wrong info
delbiker1 is offline  
Old 02-23-22, 05:32 PM
  #20  
Senior Member
 
cxwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Nor-Cal
Posts: 3,767

Bikes: lots

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1958 Post(s)
Liked 2,932 Times in 1,489 Posts
Originally Posted by am8117
Are you sure? I mean the chains were getting narrower ever since ... 7-speed? The FCs are marketed (I understand that may be marketing only) as if it mattered ... e.g. 2x10, 3x11, etc ...
I am quite sure. The inner width of all 3/32" chains is...you guessed it...3/32". The plates have gotten thinner, not the amount of space in the middle of the chain.
cxwrench is offline  
Old 02-23-22, 05:47 PM
  #21  
I’m a little Surly
 
Germany_chris's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Near the district
Posts: 2,427

Bikes: Two Cross Checks, a Karate Monkey, a Disc Trucker, and a VO Randonneur

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 698 Post(s)
Liked 1,292 Times in 646 Posts
How much money are you willing to spend?

WI and TA will have cranks with any chainring you want but neither are a cheap upgrade
Germany_chris is offline  
Old 02-23-22, 07:04 PM
  #22  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 265
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 125 Post(s)
Liked 29 Times in 24 Posts
Originally Posted by Germany_chris
How much money are you willing to spend?

WI and TA will have cranks with any chainring you want but neither are a cheap upgrade
Interesting. So I went to google the WI and TA, I think the whole crankarms will blow the budget for this one, but what seems to be interesting - I am in Europe - TA seem to be selling individual chainrings that match Shimano specs, all kinds and they are not crazy cost. I just wonder if there's any actual benefit in having a chainring from a "specialty" manufacturer ... as in longevity or shifting ... can anyone really compare well?
am8117 is offline  
Old 02-23-22, 08:35 PM
  #23  
SE Wis
 
dedhed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,516

Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970

Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2731 Post(s)
Liked 3,355 Times in 2,034 Posts
Originally Posted by am8117
Interesting. So I went to google the WI and TA, I think the whole crankarms will blow the budget for this one, but what seems to be interesting - I am in Europe - TA seem to be selling individual chainrings that match Shimano specs, all kinds and they are not crazy cost. I just wonder if there's any actual benefit in having a chainring from a "specialty" manufacturer ... as in longevity or shifting ... can anyone really compare well?
https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/chainrings.php
dedhed is offline  
Likes For dedhed:
Old 02-23-22, 10:16 PM
  #24  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 154
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 57 Post(s)
Liked 44 Times in 34 Posts
TA chainrings last and last and last and....Shimano not so much below DA.....and little choice in tooth counts
Ross200 is offline  
Old 02-23-22, 11:23 PM
  #25  
Senior Member
 
70sSanO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,768

Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970

Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1935 Post(s)
Liked 2,148 Times in 1,312 Posts
Originally Posted by am8117
So I have to go buy 34T to put it on the Ultegra compact to get the 46/34?
Yes.

You’re not the first to swap chainrings and won’t be the last.

John
70sSanO is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.