cccorlew

yea!

DougG

Since I doubt that I'll be able to get the 46/30 crank that I was hoping for, I'm thinking now that instead I'll swap the OEM Shimano 11-32 (11-speed) cassette for an IRD 12-34. With my 48/32 crank, that gives me close to an identical granny ratio (32x34 instead of 30x32), and I don't think I'd ever be on that 11-tooth cog either.

The cogs I'll use most would have a 2-tooth spacing (13-15-17-19-21-23-25-27), making it easy to find the right gear for any occasion. I've found that a spacing of three teeth is often a case of one feeling a bit to high and the other just a bit too low; two is just about right.

rm -rf

That's a nice low gear. But I don't like the IRD cog spacing choices. Their 21-23-25-27-30 is a lot closer together than their 12-13-15-17-19, so there's fairly big shifts past 15 mph.

See this setup in Mike Sherman's gear calculator, and a chart attached below.

Compare to a (non-existent) custom 12-13-14-15-16-18-20-23-26-30-34 here. (But they don't make a 26 cog, or even a 16 cog!)

~~~~~~~~~~~
I thought the IRD 12-32 might be good for me, but I don't see much advantage over the Sram 11-32.

11-12-13-14-15-17-19-22-25-28-32 Sram 11 speed
12-13-14-15-17-19-21-23-25-28-32 IRD 11 speed, this adds the 21 (and 23 vs 22) instead of the 11.

~~~~~~~~~~~
Attached: 32/48 and 12-34

DougG

Yeah, I see where you're coming from. But in my case, I'm slower and at lower cadence than I used to be and wouldn't spend much of my time on the single-spaced smaller cogs. Overall, I think that the IRD will give me better spacing for the gears that I use the most compared to the 11-32 Shimano. Ideally I'd have about a 20-speed cassette back there for any combination that I'd want!

wvridgerider

Nothing wrong with that stem. Not all are racers

Cyclist0108

When I was 25, it was slammed and I couldn't imagine it being otherwise.

I was not a racer then, either.

Cyclist0108

So through a rather circuitous path, I arrived back at a 46/30T White industries crank with the old square-taper BB (turned out the new one did not fit). I've only put about 30 miles on it, but so far it seems perfectly solid. (I was afraid square taper would be a regression.) The crank sure does look nice, especially on my thin-tubed steel bike. The shifting seems perfectly fine with Di2 BTW. (Admittedly I am comparing it to a nearly worn out Ultegra crankset).

unterhausen

I want one of the Sugino cranks, but I just can't get over spending that much on a Sugino.

Marcus_Ti

I thought about the WI VBC cranks...but $400USD for alloy sq taper cranks is really hard to swallow.

Glad they shift great with Di2, doing my own 46/30 build in May....AAMOF I think I might have randomly ended up buying your IRD Defiant cranks LOL. Least I thought I read somewhere you were EBaying them right around the time I won an auction for em. Small world?

Both the Sugino and the WI VBCs are really expensive. I get that both are relatively small companies...but jeebus.

I wish the PraxisWorks M30 cranks were available in 46/30.

Mark Manner

Hi, I have the Praxis in 48/32, and they are nice. However, if you wanted to use Di2 internal wire routing, the Praxis axle is too large a diameter to permit the internal wire routing through the bottom bracket. I have the Praxis on a bike with etap, and got the Sugino 46/30 for a di2 bike.

Marcus_Ti

This is going to be a partial external build (with battery in steerer tube): Flaanimal 3.0 adventure bike - a Rodeo Labs crowd funded project. - Rodeo Adventure Labs, LLCRodeo Adventure Labs, LLC

Was originally thinking an Ultegra 50/34....then thought about maybe doing harder stuff and the Praxis 48/32 would do...then though "gee with all those points I could do CC touring!", and landed in 46/30 hell

Mark Manner

I understand!

DeadGrandpa

I converted from a 50/34 crank to a 38/26, which is actually utilizing a Shimano Sora triple, minus the largest chainring (don't need it). I also changed the 11-28 cassette and rear wheel to install an SRAM 10-42. For most riding, I stay in the 38T ring, but when on steep/exceptionally long hills (especially while loaded for touring), I have a climbing solution that saves my knees. I spin out in top gear at about 25mph, but that's fast enough for me. So, while this isn't exactly what you asked, it is sort of another way to get similar results.

kevrider

maybe it's been mentioned earlier and i'v missed it, but FSA has a couple of "subcompact" cranksets on offer, SLK Adventure and Tempo Adventure. the SLK comes as 46/30 or 48/32 for a BB386, whatever that means. the Tempo is 46/30 and looks like square taper. i've been scoping these out for my fiances road bike, she struggles with climbs when she comes up from the flatlands of central valley cali.

not sure if anyone has thought about using a mtn bike crankset, but the FSA afterburner comes in interesting combos... 42/27 catches my eye. that could be nice on a trekker.

unterhausen

I use a mountain bike crank on one of my road bikes, but the Q factor is huge, because mountain bikes have big tires and the crank has to clear them or that sort of misses the point of bicycles -- forward motion.

DougG

Yes, my 2017 Felt VR5 came with a FSA 48/32 for the BB386EVO bottom bracket. However, some of the other ones listed by FSA are not available for order yet in the aftermarket. I'd rather have a 46/30, but there's nothing available yet that will fit my BB.

TimothyH

At least one website has the FSA Adventure crank listed but says "Delivery time unknown"
Also want to say how great this thread it. Thank you to all who contributed.


-Tim-

goldfinch

I have a 2010 Serotta with ultegra 10 speed components. I am looking for a replacement crank, preferably with 44/30 or 46/30 gearing. So I am watching this thread. I sent FSA an email on when this crankset will be available. Haven't heard back yet. FSA SL-k light Adventure Modular BB386EVO - FULL SPEED AHEAD No 165 crankarms are listed but their original advertising said the 165s would be available. I need 160s or 165s.

If this option doesn't work I guess I will go for the Suigino OX601D.

deepakvrao

All the guys not wanting to spend the coin on the Sugino, there is a VO crankset 46/30 for 200 dollars. I put it on one of my wife's bikes.

Grand Cru 50.4 BCD Crankset MK II - Cranksets - Components

DougG

I see that BikeTiresDirect has the 46/30 crankset I've been waiting for on their site now, but listed as "Out of stock." I wrote to ask when they're expecting them and they said not until some time in May! Guess that might be an upgrade for next season..

https://www.biketiresdirect.com/prod...86evo-crankset

1100 Springs

i put a 46T sugino ring on my 48/34 VO compact and love it, with the 11-32 cassette I rarely use the 34 except for hills. No more double shifting

diesel_dad

I went ahead with the White Industries cranks in 46/30. They were one of the lightest options and are very flexible in adapting to other combinations of ring sizes if I change my mind in the future. They are also beautiful and quite unique.

Cheers!

mjrLV

Not to derail the thread, but has anyone tried a configuration of 48/32 with SRAM 11-28 or 11-30 cassette?

I'm building a new bike soon, and also want to get away from the wide gaps of a 11-32 rear. I'm currently using 50/34 and 11-32, and it works out perfectly for my needs, but would like tighter gearing in the rear.


Hoping a Praxis 48/32 and eTap 11-30 would work.

Marcus_Ti

What tire size?

eTap limits tire size to 37mm max or so.

mjrLV

Tires would be 700 x 28c.