Gear question
05-02-09, 11:42 PM
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Gear question
I have a Trek 4300 which I believe is a lower end mountain bike. I dont ride it on the trails at all only on the road. I plan on changing the tires to some sort of road type tire and while I was doing that I was wondering if it would be possible to change the gear ratios of the bike. I noticed the cassette(if that is the proper term) of gears has a good amount of the teeth rounded off. I would like to have more top speed and less of the creeper gear is this possable to do and if it is what is the best way of doing it, do the front gears need changed also? I am kind of a novice on bicycle work but I am somewhat mechanically inclined.
05-03-09, 01:38 AM
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You can buy a replacement cassette that will be more road-oriented. You can buy bigger chainrings too, but that's a more expensive and complicated route as front derailleurs have tooth range limitations.
You don't mention how old your 4300 is or what components, number of speeds, and current gear ratio it has exactly, but there are almost always options.
You don't mention how old your 4300 is or what components, number of speeds, and current gear ratio it has exactly, but there are almost always options.
05-03-09, 01:45 AM
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I have a Trek 4300 which I believe is a lower end mountain bike. I dont ride it on the trails at all only on the road. I plan on changing the tires to some sort of road type tire and while I was doing that I was wondering if it would be possible to change the gear ratios of the bike. I noticed the cassette(if that is the proper term) of gears has a good amount of the teeth rounded off. I would like to have more top speed and less of the creeper gear is this possable to do and if it is what is the best way of doing it, do the front gears need changed also? I am kind of a novice on bicycle work but I am somewhat mechanically inclined.
05-03-09, 06:40 AM
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This is the bike and the specs https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2004/archive/4300 .
05-03-09, 11:20 AM
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This is the bike and the specs https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2004/archive/4300 .
05-03-09, 12:05 PM
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You've already got an 11t cog on the back, so there's only so much you can do back there. Like install an 11-28 cassette.
Since those cranks on your bike have riveted chainrings, changing them alone isn't an option - a new crankset (and possibly a new bottom bracket) will be needed. A Truvativ Iso-Flow crankset is available with 28-38-48t chainring combo that are serviceable and won't cost you a lot.
Since those cranks on your bike have riveted chainrings, changing them alone isn't an option - a new crankset (and possibly a new bottom bracket) will be needed. A Truvativ Iso-Flow crankset is available with 28-38-48t chainring combo that are serviceable and won't cost you a lot.
05-03-09, 12:08 PM
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Ok so I just need to buy a bigger chainring and install it are there any vender recommendations for the bigger chain ring? Is it a simple bolt on with the components the bike has now or do I need to upgrade?
05-03-09, 12:10 PM
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You've already got an 11t cog on the back, so there's only so much you can do back there. Like install an 11-28 cassette.
Since those cranks on your bike have riveted chainrings, changing them alone isn't an option - a new crankset (and possibly a new bottom bracket) will be needed. A Truvativ Iso-Flow crankset is available with 28-38-48t chainring combo that are serviceable and won't cost you a lot.
Since those cranks on your bike have riveted chainrings, changing them alone isn't an option - a new crankset (and possibly a new bottom bracket) will be needed. A Truvativ Iso-Flow crankset is available with 28-38-48t chainring combo that are serviceable and won't cost you a lot.
05-03-09, 12:15 PM
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Any LBS, as far as I know. You could click around online too - Truvativ is a very common brand. Trick will be finding one with the 28-38-48t chainring combo - that's an old-school ratio that isn't so common anymore. You need to match the BB type that's on your bike too - square taper or power spline.
