POTFH

I have a trek 5200 w/ a triple chainring and would like to change it to a double. It is ultegra 9 speed. What would the estimated cost be for something like this? I doubt if I have the skill to do it and would take it to my LBS. Thanks for your help.
POTFH

AnthonyG

First question is WHY??

Save a few grams? Is someone teasing you about having a triple? Honestly it doesn't matter but if you realy wanted to change all you NEED is a new crankset + bottom bracket to match. You don't need to change the derailers or brifters but then again you don't need to change anything.

Regards, Anthony

SilentShifter

I know you will definitely have to change your crank, bottom bracket at a minimum. Brifters are not necessary, you can make the adjustments in your deraileurs. I believe you will need a Rear-D to make the setup complete.

I can't remember if there is anything else.

BlastRadius

You could just adjust the limit screw on the front derailer and readjust the shifter cable. Now you have a double in functionality with no money spent.

If you really have to have a double crank, all you need is a new bottom bracket and crankset.
The rear derailer and shifters will work fine.

merlinextraligh

presumably the adavantage you're looking for is a little lower weight. To get maximum advantage, change the rear derailleur to a short cage derailleur too. It's not necessary, but will save you a few grams ( and make the bike look racier, which might be part of the motivation in the first place.)

bccycleguy

Before you spend a fair bit of money on new cranks, BB, F. derailleur, etc. for ~86 grams weight saving, try not using the small chain ring for a while. Adjust the inner limit screw of your FD so you can't shift onto the granny and you'll have 98% of the functionally of a double.

xSandmaNx

...except, not. the ring sizes are completely different, and the bike as a completely different feel to it as a result. Believe me, I just changed out my triple for an ultegra double, and I am very glad I did.

But yeah, all you need is a new BB and crank. My LBS installed it for...eh... not too much. I can't remember how much exactly but it was very reasonable.

merlinextraligh: what is a short cage rear deraileur? My interest is piqued....

UmneyDurak

Although changing front deriulur is optional, personally I recommend it. After I replaced my tiagra tripple with 105 double the shifting became much smoother.

cycle17

I changed from a triple to a double on my 5000. It shifts sooooo much smoother now. I didn't change for weight savings, I changed because I never used the granny gear and wanted the bike shift better. And it does! FD, RD Crankset and BB and your must check and make sure the left BRifter will work with a double.

Good luck!

la_raza

The ring sizes of the triple and double are different? Since when?

A standard triple is 53-39-30 or in that neighborhood. A standard double is 53-39. How are they different?

ggg300

more triples are 52-42-30 than not. 52-42 is an old school set up that has been replaced with the most common compact crank the 53-39.

OP...if you doing this move b/c you don't use the 30t try a new cog set...11-21 or so...otherwise crank and bb are about all you need, but if your current crank is a 53-42-30 then the frt. drl may be a thing that you do want to change as they are so cheap and it should work a bit better with a 53-39. Triples come with a long cage dr in back to hold more chain that is needed for a triple but it will work fine on a two ring set up...a short cage will hold less chain and is used for 2 ring set up most of the time.

la_raza

Incorrect. More triples are 52 or 53-39-30.

Also, are you saying that a 53-39 is a COMPACT? That's incorrect too. Most compacts are around 50-34.

voltman

My triple was a 52/42/30.

la_raza

Some manufacturers give you a choice.

Example: look at FSA's website. Their top of the line triple, the SLK, comes only in 53/39/30. Their lower-end Gossamer and Team Issue triples come in either 53/39/30 or 53/42/30.

However, Shimano's triple crank offerings (Dura-Ace, Ultegra, AND 105) ONLY come in 52/39/30.

Still doesn't negate the fact that the guy I was responding to was wrong.

jwilson165

i just did this conversion over the weekend with same components. i did it myself and with the correct tools its extremely easy. all you need to find is the type of bb you have. like others are saying, you need to change the bb crank and fd. i got the fd for $30 and fsa carbon pro team 53/39 and bb for $200 both on ebay. havent been on a long ride to give too many comments but i am very glad i did it. my truvativ triple was flimsy and i could easily bend it a bit during a pedal stroke. this happens no more. i was never really happy with it in the first place but i got a great deal on the bike. plus the carbon looks freaking awesome, especially next to my carbon chain and seat stays. btw, triple shifter works fine and i dont plan on changing the long cage as that shifts fine too. cheers.

Craig Thomas

The 5200 9sp bike has a 52-42-30.

Do you climb substantial hills and never touch the granny gear? If so, and the money is no issue, get the double.

Don't climb and got the money? Get the double.

If you use the granny on climbs, but hate the tripple (for whatever reason), think of the new compact by Shimano. It's branded under Ultegra and will work with your current setup.

I'm looking at the Shimano 34-50 double (compact), to get smoother shifting on my 5200. I don't mash gears and I don't really ride enough to build the strength to only use 39-53 double (75-100mi/week). But I love to climb, so I need the bottom end gears.

la_raza

Isn't the term 'double compact' redundant?

Dick Rhee

I'm in the camp of people who believe that triples don't work as well as doubles. The triple on my old touring bike was an absolute nightmare and never shifted correctly the entire time I had it.

ggg300

the 53-39-30 is a "race" set up and yes there are bikes with them and yes you can get one too but IME most bikes off the line come with the 52-42-30. This is most used set up I have seen for entry level sets and triples are used a lot on entry level bikes. In a three ring set up the 42t ring is a great half step.

here look...
https://www.giant-bicycle.com/us/030....2006&range=288
https://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike...id=1442000&f=4

^^^^as you go up in price you will hit the 53-39-30 set up and the lower end you will see more of the 52-42-30 and I see a lot of those lower end bikes around as there are more who can buy them...

When you consider that the 52-42 was the standard crank for years the 53-39 can be seen as the first compact. Yes most compacts are a 50/34 - 36 and those compact can also run a 53/39 ring set due to the bolt pattern. It is just a diff way of seeing things...

zhmontana

triple to double on 105/ultegra mix requires only crank and bottom bracket

feefifofum

if it ain't broke, don't waste your moolah.

Wil Davis

Campy Veloce triple (52/42/30) to double (53/39) crankset ~$55 on eBay (inc. BB set which is actually identical to BB for the triple). Took about 30 mins to do the swap.

- Wil

la_raza

53/39 as the first compact? Hardly. Who else besides you believes that?

How can 53/39 even be considered 'compact' if the large chainring has more teeth than the original standard 52/42? Just because the smaller chainring has less teeth doesn't automatically make it a compact. Your reasoning makes no sense at all.

joetronic

I did this a few months ago. Got a new Fd, Crank and BB. Just a little word of advise. Even if you never need the granny gear now, you will as soon as you don;t have it. that's what happened to me. I ended up selling the new double and BB and put the triple back on. Kept the FD in case I change my mind again.

trekking_TW

Wrong! My Shimano 105 triple was 52/42/30.

I changed my out on my Trek 5000 for a DA double. You only need to change the bottom bracket and crankset, however I recommend you change the front der. for sure. Rear der. is optional. Brifters do not need any changes.