Anybody know if a 53 or 52/42/34 is possible gearing? Would it be compatible with 12-26 or a 14-25 cassette?

I don't think they make an inner chainring that large. Any reason you feel it is needed? According to Sheldon Brown's gear calculator, you'd be overlapping 5 or 6 cogs from the big to the middle, and 7 or 8 cogs from middle to small. A compact would accomplish that without so many wasted gears.

How many gearing threads are you going to start?

Seems like quite a few...

52-42-30 is pretty standard for a triple. I have two hanging in my shop.

He was asking about a 34 low ring. Although I dont understand what a 34 would do for him a cassette change wouldnt.

ok

https://shop.vendio.com/benscycle/ite.../?s=1266656162

Yes, and the difference between a 30 and a 34 is noticeable. You only have half the cassette overlapping instead of most of it.

I imagine there might be a reason the OP wants this, like varying grades causing the need to change chainrings frequently. More overlapping gears would alleviate that. I just wanted to know if there was a real reason, or if the OP might consider using a compact double or just being happy with the wider range a 30 would give.

Either way, it seems you've found what the OP is looking for in the right BCD. Is that your store? It has a decent selection and good prices.

Crazy idea. Just get a compact 50/34. I'm running a 48 / 34 with 11-26 in back. Great for hills and plenty fast for downhills.

I agree with urbanknight. You might be much happier with a 50/34 and a 11/25 or 11/27 cassette. Get just about the same gearing. I have seen a bike with that 34 inner ring though and I think it was TA that made the ring.

After rereading his question I dont get where he is trying to go. 12/26 or14/25 with a tripple. He wants to raise his gear inches. Why not just shift up?

no I don't sell stuff. my shop is just a personal shop.

This Is just my 2nd one, but i had another one concerning cross-chaining on a triple from a long time ago.

But anyways thanks for all the feedback. I've searched it on google and some people have claimed they have a 52-42-34. But i was just wondering if it was possible, and really had no intention of getting one for myself. And if it was i would probably consider it. And i want to stay at a triple drivetrain because I don't want to upgrade to the double drivetrain on my current bike, in other words I'd rather just buy a whole new bike including the double. Compact I'm not sure about because I climb in my 39, and if I did have a 52-42-34 then i would climb in my 42 and the 34 would be an emergency gear. The actual drivetrain set-up would probably be for training and probably flat rides.

Thanks anyways.

If you want a 34T inner ring for triple, you'll most likely need a longer BB axle.

Now I am confused. Why would he need a longer bb spindle? He already has a triple, he would just replace the 30 with the 34, no?

The larger granny ring might hit the chainstay on some frames.

A 53/42/34 is stupid... all the disadvantages of a triple without the big advantage: low gearing.

OP, if you want a double just get a new crankset and front derailleur. If you don't have a crank with integrated BB, then you'd only need a new bottom bracket and derailleur.

You'll need junior gearing no matter what (assuming you are actually going to race). You should train with that gearing so you can spin it in races. Learning how to spin to go fast will help you a lot in cycling, that's why they make you use low gears.

something about diameter increase of the chainring and chainstay clearance which increases as you go outward.

I am aware of that but i think having a 42 as the mid is good for small sprints on climbs with gradients of under 10 or 9 that are about 2000 ft or less, then the 34 would be for longer climbs.

I believe if i were to upgrade to double i would also need new shifters, my Tiagra shifters seem specific to a triple drivetrain because it has a display of a red peg in a clear plastic divided into 3 sections. I'm not sure if many people are familiar since most of you guys are familiar with 105 and higher. Hopefully someone knows what i mean, but i think my shifters are exclusive only to a triple drivetrain.

:facepalm:

I had the same setup and switched to a double (compact actually) no problem. You just have to set your derailleur limits to block out either the low or high gear (I did blocked out low). So, the middle brifter position is the little ring and the most outward is the big chainring. If I shifted the brifter down to where the granny gear would be, the derailleur doesn't move, but there is a lot of slack in the cable. Really nbd. You can find a good used crankset for about $100. I'd say do it.

Inner 32 ring is available but never seen a 34 for triple crankset..

TA makes them... https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/chainrings/74.html

They aren't cheap...

I think you're overthinking this whole bike riding thing, doncha think?

Go ride your bike, as is, as often as possible. Wear out a set of tires or two. Race, if you can. Do that for for six months or so, then start thinking about changing stuff.

To the OP, if you don't go double, really, there is no reason to go 34 inner on a triple. There will be so much over lap between the 43 and the 34 it is just a waste of a ring. Might as well keep the granny gear in case there are any real steep climbs.