DaJMasta

So I have a Shimano Hone 3 ring crankset and a sram X.7 front derailleur with X.4 shifters. My current setup is 22-32-44t (stock), but I want to add a bashguard. After considering other options, and because I do a lot of XC/commuter stuff where I never get off the 44t ring, I figured I would drop the 22t to make the setup work.


Of course, for more comfortable shifting, I would not want a 22T drop for my only front shifting option... so I'm looking into getting the biggest 64mm BCD 4 bolt chainring I can find. I have seen 30t versions, but not good ones and they're overpriced, but I can get a Shimano SLX 26t which may be enough.

Crankset: https://bike.shimano.com/publish/cont..._mountain.html
Proposed 26t ring: https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...s.php?id=30422

Anyways, is there somewhere where I can get a 28-30t inner chainring to keep more of the ratios I have now on my top two gears? Also, when I install the bashguard and have 2 rings to choose from, what is the best way to set up the shifters? I was thinking pushing the upper limit screw to hold it on the second ring would be best, but I haven't tried it before. Also is there a 2 ring shifter option or something I can change in the shifter to disable one of the speeds?

Thanks

DaJMasta

Any guesses? I know someone out there has run into this problem because they're selling a fair number of dual-speed cranksets now and I have yet to find a 2 speed front lever.

cbchess

Just adjust your front dérailleur stop bolts so it won't over shift where you have taken out your front chain ring. No need for a new shifter!
I run 2 x 9 on my mountain bikes with a bash ring - but I've swapped out my big ring for a bash guard. so I've got the two lower rings the 22 and 32 and bash.
I love the set up and it works well.

cman

I run a 1x9 w/bashguard and was planning to do this. I currently run a 38t and was thinking of a 22t that I have. But that 26t looks good too.

DaJMasta

I got in touch with my LBS of choice and they say they can get the black 26t version in stock in a few days. The owner of the store is knowledgeable and has been doing this for a while, he says that the major manufacturers don't make anything bigger than 26t for a 64mm BCD anymore, but there are some places (notably in the UK) that sell larger versions (up to 30t), but from companies I've never heard of.


Looks like I'll be running my new XC build with 26-44-BG, looking forward to it