New Crank
 

I will be replacing my crankset on my 2011 Surly Long Haul Trucker 56cm.My bike has around 8000 miles on it and I think its time for a change.My stock bottom bracket is 68x118mm and the crank 26,36,48 with 175mm crank arms.The crank I am getting is the the Velo Orange Grand cru 110 triple 24,34,48 with 175mm arms.My question is,at the VO website they recommend a 68x124 mm BB for most bikes but will that work for my set up.Im worried i'll have a problem finding a BB that'll will work.

A new Shimano UN55 bottom bracket is pretty cheap compared to the cost of that crank, if it was me I would just pop for the new bottom bracket.

That said, the shorter spindle should work. BUT, you should first contact VO and verify with them if you will have enough clearance between the crank and frame if you use the shorter bottom bracket.

If they say it will work, your chain line would be slightly off, but realistically you might not even notice the difference because it would only be off about 3mm.

just stay with your crankset and get Raceface chainring set 24-34-46t Bikeman RaceFace TeamChainring Set Black 24-34-46 74x110

That was my first thought. Buying a new crankset to drop two chainrings 2 teeth each? A decent crankset (except for heavily used chainrings) should go far longer than 8000 miles. If it were me, I would search out the appropriate Sugino chainrings. RaceFace may be just as good, I don't know.

Perhaps you have other reasons for changing out the whole crankset, like going for a different "Q" factor or saving weight, but if not, you can save a lot of both money and hassle just replacing those two chainrings.

Ben

Curious why you think it needs changed? If you want a little lower low, just change out the 26 chainring to a 24, and if you feel the bottom bracket is showing some wear or you want to be proactive, while you've got the crank off, replace it and you're done, easy peasy.

Im getting some chain suck on the 2 smaller rings but im looking for something alittle nicer for the crank.

I used Raceface 74/110mm 24-34-46t on my Andel crankset on my Surly LHT worked fine for me but I gone to Deore crankset 24-32-42t going 22t granny gear and more easy to pedal FULLY LOADED

That Deore crankset,did you have any problems with that longer spindle.I know it comes with spacers but i'm worried about chainline more than anything.

Let me rephrase that.I believe that that crank comes with an outboard bottom bracket and will fit a shell of 68 or 73mm,I have a 68.Will that push the crank further away and throw off my chainline and will my stock fr. derailleur work with that crank.

Have you ever replaced the cassette?
Did your trucker come with a Shimano Deore crank? If so, they last a lot longer than 8,000 miles.
My guess is, that a new crank is the wrong guess.
If you feel the need, 9 and 10 speed Shimano cranks are on sale for half off now that 11 speeds are out. I got an XTR 985 for $249.00 last summer. If you look around you can get a Xt crank for less than the velo Orange.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH-gnMSzmtI

My bike came with an Andel crank.I looked at the Deore cranks and like them but will that outboard BB be compatible with my frame and will it throw my chainline off since it has a 73mm bottom bracket.

I would probably just get some nice Sugino chainrings myself if I needed to replace them. However I would probably go for a new chain and cassette first and if I was having issues make sure everything was properly tuned up. Only if teeth were bent or there was a huge issue with shifting proven to be caused by the chainrings would I change the chainrings. And I probably wouldn't change cranks unless they were cracked or stripped or I was saving a significant amount of weight and keeping durability.

Head down to your local shop and talk to the mechanic (or if you have a head mechanic talk to them) and see what they say about your chainrings. It is hard for us to diagnose without seeing them.

If you were just going to replace the whole shebang even though it would be a silly move, I would go with the Sugino Alpina 2 Triple which is a 48-36-24. I wanted a little lower granny but I still liked my middle ring a lot and the outer ring is fine, though I don't use it a whole ton while touring. Granted this went on a brand spanking new frame and wasn't a replacement just something I wanted to upgrade when I moved from the Disc Trucker to the Co-Motion. My new cassette is a 11-34 in case you are wondering as I wanted a touch lower for the hills.

The Shamino came stock on many a trucker.
It will work.
http://surlybikes.com//uploads/downl...ly_Catalog.pdf
Not in 2011 apparently.
I like the hollow tek 2 better than the old style.
check the mtbr hot deals page
Hot Deals

How do you know it is the crank that is bad?
How manny chains did you go through in 8,000 miles?

My crank is not bad,I just want something nicer.Ive got 5000 miles on my current chain.I clean it every week by the way.

I know what people are thinking,5000miles are you crazy. I have very little wear.i keep my chain super clean.I just want a whole new crankset

VO sells their own branded BB in 124mm, so I don't think you'll have a problem finding a BB. Whether it's the best fit to your LHT is another issue, but VO should know since it's their crankset. The crankset manufacturer normally specifies BB spindle length required to maintain proper chainline. Still sometimes a little trial and error is required.

I don't have an aversion to VO parts, as I have VO fenders on two bikes, but IMO some of them are overpriced. Have you considered a Sugino XD600 crankset? XD600 was std equipment on the LHT from 2004 until Surly/QBP switched to the cheaper Andel in 2009.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=486909

The XD600 & Shimano UN55 cost half as much as a VO GC crankset and BB, saving $116 purchased from AEBike. I'm not trying to promote AEBike but I have bought from them many times over 15 years and they ship fast (and free >$50) and have low prices. Note that you get a 5% discount at AEBike on your first order only after registering, and I'm quoting 5% discounted prices.

Another 16 bux for a 24t granny swap if that is one of your objectives.

http://www.aebike.com/Sugino-XD600-9...ed_p_7295.html

http://www.aebike.com/Shimano-UN55-6...t_p_42514.html

http://www.aebike.com/Sugino-24t-x-7...er_p_7336.html

http://www.aebike.com/Sugino-34t-x-1...er_p_7341.html

I'll check into that crank.Thank you seeker

Go with the Alpina 2 triple, it is probably one of their nicest cranksets. It is a nicer crank. I was thinking about the XD600 initially but thought why not spend a little more and get something nicer plus it is ten speed compatible in case I get the sense knocked out of me and go to a 3x10 set up. It also had the right gearing I wanted as stated earlier. The XD is really designed for 6/7/8 but can work with 9 speed.

Any shop with an account with Merry Sales Co. can easily order the Alpina 2 Triple or you can find it online if you must. If you go to the Merry Sales website you can download a price free catalog and see some of the stuff they have. A lot of really great Japanese stuff as well as IRD stuff.

I know this is trivial, but just thought I would make a small correction here. LHT was frame and fork only in 2004, that is when I bought mine. I am not sure when Surly started selling the LHT as a complete bike, but their 2007 catalog lists the LHT available as a complete bike. I do not have 2005 or 2006 data. The 2007 catalog photo of the complete LHT actually has fenders on it, but fenders were not included.

Yeah, I love the gaps VO fills with their products, but their grand cru stuff is scary expensive sometimes, when compared to alternatives.

Deore cranks for $80 or less.
Sugino XD cranks for $120 or less.

Too tough for me to justify my spending more when the Sugino looks great.

check out the Shimano Deore 22-32-44t 175mm crankset Bikeman Shimano Deore M590 175mm 2-pcs Crank and Bottom Bracket 22-32-44, Black

I am using Shimano Deore 24-32-42t 170mm crankset on my Surly LHT 2008 with
XTm771 FD Bikeman Shimano Deore M610 10-Speed 175mm 24/32/42 tooth Black Crankset with Bottom Bracket

Change just the chainrings .. to suit your desires.. any 110 /74 crank can take a 24t inner and a 34t+ middle and outer..


then BUY the BB from VO at the same time as the crank...

Confer with the seller as to the specs needed , if you want something different.

get chainrings and BB set

24t Bikeman Dimension 24 tooth x 74mm Chainring Black
34t Bikeman Dimension 34 tooth x 110mm Chainring Black
48t Bikeman Dimension 48 tooth x 110mm Chainring Black

BB Set 68x118mm Bikeman CC - Shimano UN55 68x118mm Square Taper Bottom Bracket

A $50 new chain every few months could save you hundreds by preserving your drivetrain.
Easy Way To Check For Chain Wear | CyclingTips

Chain Checker - Park Tool
I change my chain when it gets to .5

A 9 speed Shimano XT drive train is a long lasting good choice for a touring bike. Why? because they last a long time even in harsh environments. Add friction shifters, and you can switch between 8, 9, 10 speed cassettes.

Nothing wrong with a bicycle repair class. Well worth the price of admission.

What ever you do, get a new chain and new cassette at the same time as your new crank.

I ended up going with the shimano XT.Ive got a new chain and cassette as i'm replacing my drivetrain,the only thing I was worried about was the right bottom bracket for the crank and the XT comes with a bb.Now my only concern is will my f derailleur work with the crank I just purchased.

Thank you, of course I was mistaken. Either I forgot it last night as I was writing, or the usual challenge of writing distracted me. I type badly, am dyslexic, and starting to experience dimentia-like lapses in word recall, so even one sentence generally requires effort and multiple edits.

LHTs were sold as Complete Bikes from fall 2006 onwards (technically 2007 models), so they were equipped with Sugino XD600 crankset from then until the cost-driven change to Andel crankset in 2009. The point I attempted to make earlier with the OP was that the Sugino crank is completely compatible with his 2011 LHT, plus it's better looking than the Andel and quite the bargain compared to VO's Grand Cru.

I probably should have mentioned this in my first post but I'm not replacing my crank because of any problems,the chain suck is no big deal, I was just looking for something nicer than what it came with.As far as my chain is concerned,I rode the hell out of it because I'd knew I was going to replace the drivetrain.Ive always heard you have to be careful on what crank and bottom bracket to get for a bicycle.I don't want to buy more than one bb if I can help it. Regardless,I appreciate all the replies.Hope I didn't waste anyone's time,next time I post I will give reasons for replacement of parts.