Flip Flop Rider

2010 Fuji Absolute 3.0. low level bike, but it rides good. probably have from 15-20k miles on it over the years

mainly want to get rid of the triple that's on it (never use the small one)

current crank is 28/38/48

bottom bracket says "sealed cartridge bearing ST"

rear cassette was originally 11-32T 8 speed (have been through a few over the years)

Don't want to spend the money for a new bike

was thinking could maybe buy and change the crank/bottom bracket for minimal cost (maybe a Tiagra crank)

have a crank puller tool (bought it but have never used it)

thanks to the forum have recently started changing my own tires, successfully. now am wanting to "upgrade" this bike a little

so no real, major problems other than a well used bike

thanks!

Flip Flop Rider

also, suggestions on what to buy. brand.type, etc. are welcomed

Oneder

No, it's probably not worth it. It might be worth it if you had a small crank in front. But no one forces you to use your front shifter, so if you always stay in the middle or on the big one, no big deal. If you always use the big one you might consider swapping position with the middle one though. That way you can get at all the gears on the rear cassette with it.

Flip Flop Rider

noted, and thanks

when I asked the guy at my LBS about it, he told me I was talking about hundreds of dollars and wasn't worth it either.

am now starting to realize that I can do the jobs that I was paying them to do. All previous maintenance including flat repair was done by the shop

and yes, I usually leave it on one ring all the time

alcjphil

One thing to think about on a bike like yours is whether you will have sufficient chainstay clearance for your chainrings with a double crank. If you choose a Tiagra crank, your bottom bracket is irrelevant, you will need a new one. If you wish to change this yourself, you will need the tool necessary for removing your current bottom bracket as well as the one for installing the Tiagra bottom bracket. Along with your crank puller, the tool needed for removing your current bottom bracket will leave you with 2 tools you may never need again. A Tiagra crank should be installed with a torque wrench for the pinch bolts on the non drive side crank arm.
It sounds to me as if you have enjoyed your bike for a long time, and it is a great bicycle for what is was designed to do. Before you spend a lot of money modifying it, ask yourself what you would like to do in the future. Perhaps that might lead you to a full on road bike, maybe not. The fact that you do not use your smallest chainring should not factor into this equation. Having something that you seldom use isn't a problem

BobbyG

Couldn't you just set the adjusting screw on the front derailer to prevent it from shifting onto the small cog? Or get a bigger small ring to get some intermediary ratios with the middle ring.

TrojanHorse

Congrats on figuring out that you can do your own maintenance. You can find a video on youtube to tell you how to just about adjust / install / repair anything on your bike. Also parktool.com. Buy the tool once and you're set for .... well, until they change the damn standard again.

What are you hoping to achieve with a new crank? Most 3-gear front shifters can also be used with a double crank, so no need to change that part out. A double crank usually has a 53/39 or 52/36 or 50/34 for the front chainrings, which will be different from what you're used to.

SO yeah, it can be done but only you can answer as to whether it's worth the expense. You can find lightly used cranks on ebay all day long for not that much and a new BB will only set you back about $20-30

mcours2006

Triple shifter with a double crank isn't an issue, like @BobbyG said, just adjust the limit screw on the FD. I had an Ultegra 6600 crank with a Sora triple at one time and it shifts fine. Cost effective to swap crank? Unless you can get the crank relatively cheap, and have the tools, I'd be inclined to stick with what you have. Plus, you'll need a new BB, unless you're going to stick with square taper.

Having a granny gear isn't a huge deal. I have a Tiagra triple on my commuter as well. I can't recall the last time I used the small ring, but it's comforting to know that it's there if I ever encounter a 20% grade.

BobbyG

Oh, and if you can use the limit screw to block the small ring, you could remove it for weight savings.

Flip Flop Rider

good advice from all thanks!

LesterOfPuppets

If there's a chance you might move somewhere hilly and/or get old before you sell the bike, I'd keep the triple on there.