mudboy

I've been upgrading my 9 speed Ultegra STI triple equipped bike to 9 speed Dura Ace STI triple over the past month or so. Sticking with 9 speed is a personal choice, going to 10 speeds isn't going to happen -- I have 3 sets of wheels built around Mavic 571/2 hubs that I love and I'm not sure the 571/2 cassette body can handle a 10 speed cassette.

My riding style is solidly in the sport tourist category, I don't tour, but I also definitely don't race, and I RARELY (if ever) find myself using the big ring. I do use the small ring on my triple from time to time.

My old Ultegra cranks were 52/42/30, and the combination worked pretty well for me; the new Dura Ace cranks are 53/39/30 and I'm still getting used to them, but even with a 2mm spacer on the drive side of the BB (the inner chainring bolts weren't clearing the chainstay), I get a good bit of chain rub on the inside of the 53 when I'm on the 39t ring (I was able to ride all across all 9 gears in the rear on my Ultegra cranks). One of the things that I was thinking was getting a 44t Dura Ace double inner ring and use that in place of the 53t outer ring. I'd certainly use the 44t much more than a 53t outer ring.

Any ideas if this would work? I'm OK with slightly degraded shifts to the outer chainring, I'm just looking for more usable gears and less ring rub, and I want to exhaust my options before either going back to the Ultegra cranks or going with a Sugino Cospea or similar.

Thanks

Pete

HillRider

Did you buy a Dura Ace double bottom bracket by mistake? The Dura Ace Octalink bb was available in a triple version also and that's what you should have.

As to rubbing on the inside of the 53 while in the 39 chainring, that's common even with doubles if you use the smallest one or two cogs with the 39. Actually, there is no need to do so as the same gear ratio should be available in the 53 with the appropriate larger cog. Run the gear table to see where they match up.

mudboy

No, I'm using the same 118.5mm Ultegra triple BB that I used with my Ultegra cranks. The 118.5mm DA BB is getting hard to find at a reasonable price.

johnknappcc

Having just got a set of 7703's, and being a little disappointed with the gear choices (from what I'm used to), I can say, from all I've read, there is no way to get a different middle ring. The DA triple has a proprietary 92mm BCD, and the granny bolts (not into the spider like your Ultegra does) but directly into the 39T ring. If you find a way to get a 44 (in the middle) in there, let me know! Or Maybe something a bit smaller on the outer.

The 7703's are sitting in my parts bin (back in the box) as well as my DA BB, since I reverted back to square taper until I find a solution.

mudboy

John, I was going to use the 44 (usually an inner ring on a double set up for 650c wheels) as a replacement for the 53t outer. I' too, was a bit surprised at how Shimano approached the inner ring attachment, and it really seems like a hack for what should be a high-end crankset...would it really be that difficult for them to machine a separate triple right crankarm with inner chainring fittings, like they do with the Ultegra? Doesn't seem like it, but really, they seemed to treat the high end road triple as an afterthought, rather than something that a reasonable number of people might buy if it was well thought out.

I'd really like to find the new Sugino road triple with the "pipe" bottom bracket; I was watching one (the only one I've ever seen) on eBay but missed out on the bidding. That's what I get for trying to snipe something that ends during the one TV show I watch on a regular basis...does anyone out there know of a good source for Sugino kit? I know Ben's carries the Alpina, but only in black, as does Velo Orange, who for some idiotic reason refuse to stock ANY 172.5mm cranks. Jitensha also carries them, but at almost double the price of other places.

Thanks

Pete

johnknappcc

Hey Pete, I'm not too sure about the Sugino cranks, but for the interim maybe this would work on the outer ring . . .

https://www.lickbike.com/productpage....=%270116-38%27

They don't have a 44T, but maybe a 48T would do? I'm not sure how it would work, but you could probably ebay it if it didn't.

ginsoakedboy

I think you may be able to find a solution here - not positive - read the intro material regarding compatibility. No matter what, it ain't gonna be cheap and you might just be able to find a full crankset for less than the cost of the rings.

https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/chainrings.asp

Al1943

If the front derailleur is a braze-on type you will probably have trouble adjusting it low enough for a big ring smaller than a 50.

captainmux

fietsbob

130mm , 5 bolt circle on shimano road cranks has become a pattern
every company making aftermarket chainrings has adopted ...



Relegated to blind guessing ,
but your DA Crank may have a little different profile,than the Ultegra
so in relation to the same BB its too close in..

what was inferior about the ultegra, in your mind , to compel the change??





....

Andrew R Stewart 

So I just did a quick search on QBP's business to business website (they are the major NA bike shop supplier of parts) for 130mm bolt patterned chain rings and came up with 11 brands. I agree with Fb that the 5 bolt 130 diameter pattern is very common and many options exist. Andy

CliffordK

As far as I can tell, those Dura Ace rings were only available in 53/39/30.

I don't have the cranks in front of me now, but I think the rings are marked SG-D. That determines shift gates and pins. Unfortunately there is little selection in SG-D.

The outer ring should be able to be replaced with almost anything you wish, but no guarantee how smooth it will shift . But it may do well if you choose a smaller ring like 50T or 48T. 130 BCD.

Middle and inner Dura ace rings are impossible to source, but there are Ultegra rings that may fit. I'll have to look up the model number in a few days.

Another choice is to look at 130 BCD Tripilizer sets. Willow?