SunRace 11-40
 

I'm wondering if anyone might have tried using a SunRace 11-40 (or 42) cassette in a 2 x 10 touring setup. I just got lucky and bought a 2016 Specialized AWOL EVO in pristine condition. It comes stock with long cage SRAM X9 RD, an 11-36 cassette and a 48/32 crankset which gives me a low end of around 24.8 gear inches. Given that I bought the bike for loaded longer distance touring (hoping for a cross country ride in 2018) I am trying to efficiently get my low end down closer to 20 and the above referenced cassette would get me closer (22.3") without the costs associated with the full changeover to a triple (crankset, shifter, FD). Would love to hear if anyone has had experience. Would also love to hear of anyone has much experience with the stock AWOL EVO setup from 2016. I note that the new AWOL is back to triple (Tiagra).

Its 29er stuff for the one by crowd..

I * recommend touring on mainstream components, because You won't find Fringe trendy stuff outside the Major city shops.

9 by 3 should get you any where you want to see, and if you need help the typical Mom & Pop Shop will probably have spares.


* Pacific coast sees Hundreds of cycletourists every summer ..

Thanks. Not sure how to read "fringe trendy." Reviews of quality are pretty solid and many talk about use in 2 x 10 setups. I know that a 3 x 9 will work as it's on my other touring bike. But I'm no closer to finding an answer to the question if anyone here may have experience with the referenced gearing.

What crankset do you have? With a 32t small ring, i would figure you have a bcd which would allow you to get a smaller inner ring. Thatd be a cheap way to get smaller GI.

As for the cassette you asked about, i havent used it but i looked into it when i built a gravel bike. Everything i read showed its a quality cassette and not 2nd fiddle to shimano/sram.

I dont know sram components well- can your rear derailleur handle the larger cassette?



Also, sweet bike. Really cool.
As for the mentioned concern that the cassette is trendy and not widely available...thats true. But in the extremely rare chance it breaks and younare in Wyoming, then just get a different cassette. Your drivetrain couldnhandle basically any 10sp smaller than the sunrace cassette, so if a store in BFE Wyoming only has an 11-32 cassette then get it and go. The gearing wont be nearly as convenient, but itll let you ride.

SunRace 11-40
 

Thanks for your reply. The crankset that came on the bike is an FSA Gossamer Pro "sub compact" 48/32. While I haven't checked I would guess that a smaller ring could be used. The long cage derailleur is SRAM X9 and will handle the cassette with a chain wrap of 47 (the proposed setup would be 45).

Like you, I don't know SRAM well at all... this being my first acquaintance. My road bike and my cross bike and my other touring bike are all Shimano so this is something of an adventure. The AWOL is quite something... had only eight rides... less than 300 miles.

I appreciate your encouragement.

We I were you, I get the 11-42 cassette, then get a 49 cog from Wolftooth. The 49-32 setup will give you below a 20 inch combo. Lots of info on Wolftooth on how to do this

Drop-Stop Chainrings

If you can install a smaller chainring, I think that makes more sense and is cheaper. Also consider that if you put on the bigger cassette, you would probably need a new (longer) chain too.

I just tried to do a quick search and did not find that crankset anywhere. Compact yes, but did not find sub compact.

Can you measure it to see what the bolt circle diameter is, if so you should be able to find if there are smaller chainrings available. The link below tells you the easiest way to measure. Note, different tables for 4 vs 5 arm cranks.
Bicycle Chainrings (Chainwheels) from Harris Cyclery

Let us know what you find. If it is a 5 arm 74mm bolt circle diameter, that is a common size and you can find chainrings down to 24 for a reasonable cost.

The crankset is FSA Gossamer 386... 48/32... 110 BCD... 4 arm. Based on my look at the chainring and the SRAM website it would appear that 32 is as small as it gets.

The idea of using Wolftooth etc. occurred to me but I excused it quickly as it requires one to discard a ring from the middle of the cluster thereby disrupting the natural interval between cogs... something that would quickly drive me crazy.

Meanwhile, I'm still interested if anyone may have tried this... the SunRace... setup.

Revues Of new stuff ( part of selling ) are short term impressions Not ones taken after several years of Use.

Wyoming ? How about Mongolia?

So let's not count on the "revues of new stuff" but rather on the impression(s) of actual experience. I actually plan no trips to Mongolia... and if I ever get there I most probably won't have this bike with me.

Not sure how this helps beyond running up the total post number. Apologies to all involved.

I think that cassette is real expensive, maybe a new crankset might even be cheaper. Maybe check in with mountain bike forum for their opinion of the cassette.

you might save a few bucks. might. but then it could be cheaper
to simply go with the 3*9 deore setup you're familiar with.

looks like you're jumping though hoops for no real reason.
the 2*10 will give you fewer closely-spaced gears, with
bigger jumps between.......and you still won't have the
essential sub-20" low gear you need for loaded touring.

The OPs bike is 10sp hydraulic braking. To change to a 3x9 system would require new STIs, brake system, cables and housing, crankset, front derailleur, and rear derailleur.

Thats changing most everything but the bars and seatpost.

oops...my misteak. saw "SRAM X9"...and "the full changeover to a triple (crankset, shifter, FD),"
sounded like OP had a weird 2*9 setup. :twitchy:

Something does not add up...
110 mm BCD can not take a 32t ring, 33t is the smallest that would fit.

Yours is either larger than 32t or the BCD is smaller than 110 mm.

I think he said his is a four-bolt, which can go as small as 32 as opposed to the five-bolt which is done at 33 (and that pushes it).

4 or 5 does not matter, a 32t ring can not be used on a 110 mm BCD crank.
No one makes a 4-arm 32t chainring since it is impossible to use.
The closest 4-arm BCD is 104 mm, and indeed you could fit a 32t on it, but 104 is _NOT_ 110.

Which was my point - if someone wants assistance, they need to provide accurate info.

IK_biker:
Thanks for your kind reply. I've been trying to find a way to post an image of my phantom crankset that comes stock on the 2016 AWOL EVO bicycle from Specialized. Perhaps my problems posting the image are because it doesn't exist?

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...1&d=1480945395

Oops... there it is. Using visual confirmation please note that the impressive 4 arm crankset from FSA is labeled "Gossamer 386" prominently. More difficult, but still quite legible in proper light, are the inscriptions "110 BCD" (at around 9 o'clock) which I believe is part of the debated information. Finally if you continue your gaze around the circumference of the chainwheel (to 11:30) you will make out the alpha-numeric "48/32T" which I do believe to be an identifying mark indicating 48 tooth large and 32 tooth small chainrings. I could indeed be wrong.

So far in this string I have found a number of suggestions as to what I should do instead of any reports on my initial inquiry which was looking for experience with a given item and setup. The person that suggested I was jumping through hoops interested me immensely. Changing a cassette is not exactly rocket science. Changing a complete groupset... well that comes a lot closer. The wacky idea (using an 11-40 SunRace), which was recommended to me by the mechanic at my LBS, is a $62 part; not cheap but also not outrageously expensive.

As to "accurate info." Apologies... I gave only that which I had.

In closing this joyful note I still seek any user experience if such may be out there.

Cheers.

Adding to the "accurate info" transmission...

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/awol-evo/106844

Scroll to specifications. Apologies for my earlier abbreviated versions.

naganna happen- user experience. You are asking about pretty new tech for touring. Most here are entrenched in 3x9 or lower drivetrains.

Try the recreational cyclocross and gravelbiking forum maybe? or the mountainbike forum? Those two would probably have someone using the cassette before this forum would.

What this forum does excel at is reading your idea then asking why not do something else and suggesting that other thing. Its helpful at times since it gives the poster options to consider. Its completely useless at times for the obvious reason that is happening in this thread.

A genuine thanks for your suggestion. I have a bad habit of ruffling when told what I say is false. I'll seek counsel elsewhere. Thanks again.

So, plenty of options for you. Going from a 36 t to a 40 t in the back might work. Depends on the rear der. Check out something called a goat link. A small pice that goes from the der hole on the frame to allow the rear der. to hang lower from the bike. Just be sure to check cassette tooth count for spacing. Some of the jumps are large. Even easier. Just get and after market 40 T cog. It will involve taking out the 16 or 17t to fit it in. On your original cassette. Wolftooth has your answers. The 40 or 42 is added. The 15 and 17 are replaced by a 16.

Do budget cab and /or bus fare for, when the things you cannot fix, break.


I chose simple reliable stuff, myself , being an Old realistic person.



Park the bling bike where you live to show off to your mates, tour on something else..






....

Ask the mechanic if your derailleur will be able to handle a 42T. If he says yes, give it a try. Like I said above, might need a new longer chain too.

It is possible that the derailleur might not take up all the slack if you use the smallest chainring and smallest sprockets, but if you lose a gear or two those are cross chained gears that you probably should avoid anyway. I say this because I use a road triple with an aftermarket 24T chainring and when I use that on an 11/32 cassette, I can't use two gears because my derailleur will not take up all the slack. But I have not let that bother me, have used that gearing for over 10 years.

If the new cassette works, don't throw away the old chain and sprocket, you might want those for around home use and then switch to the wide range for touring. But use the new setup long enough to know with certainty that mechanically it will work on a tour before you switch back to the old parts.

Well isn't that a daisy. Very helpful post. Thanks.