ekitel

I've been looking for a touring bike that can handle dirt roads very well and even single track. The Sherpa 30 looks great but the 700C wheel size seems less than ideal. There are a number of custom frame makers like Rodriquez, Gunnar and Roberts that make touring bikes that use 26" wheels which should be more durable and with replacements available anywhere in the world. I have yet to find a production bike that has MTB geometry with wide tire clearance based on 26" wheels. I suppose I'll be better off with a custom frame anyway. I'm leaning towards the Roberts Roughstuff at this point though I won't be able to get to London for fitting until next fall which also gives me more time to save up.

njkayaker

Here you go:
https://www.salsacycles.com/fargoComp09.html

Erick L

Those are 29" wheels, not 26".

njkayaker

Oops!

The only important reason to use 26'' wheels is parts availability (29/700c are strong enough).

wnylogo

Resurrecting an old thread. I need to change my Sherpa 30 crankset to get into a lower range. Not too mechanically savy here. I read earlier in this thread someone replaced the 30t with a 24t chainring, but that was on a 2006 model- which was Shimano 105, not tiagra, if that matters. Question is with bike being a 2008, with all original parts, which would be a better option? From what I understand, if I add a chainring- I have to match the fsa 130/74 BCD. If I replace the crankset, then I don't need to match the previous BCD.

Quick check on ebay for reference found:
FSA V Drive MegaExo 170 Triple MTB Crankset 22 32 44T Alloy Mountain Bike New | eBay

Shimano Deore M590 9 Speed 170mm 26 36 48T Crankset Black with Bottom Bracket | eBay

I couldn't find a chainring on ebay to match the BCD. For reference, here is my bike: 2008 Rocky Mountain Sherpa 30 - BikePedia
The bike is still in really good shape and I do use the 50t a lot on long flat stretches here in western NY, so I hesitate to go too low, like the 42t as my highest. But, I need to go lower than 30t for sure. I am looking at going on either the ACA Southern Tier or Florida to Maine tour.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Bicycle365

The term for this is "Necroposting"

bradtx

wnylogo, This Shimano FC M431 Alivio Crankset Black 175 mm 48 36 26T 9 Speed | eBay may work with the bottom bracket in the bike presently and cost less too.

You can have a bike shop do the work semi cheaply if you don't have the tools and don't plan on working on your bike.

Brad

PS The crank arms are longer, 175 mm, than what you searched for. If that's a problem search for other lengths.

wnylogo

Thanks Brad, I'll look into it.

djb

My bike has the same parts as yours (except for the page you linked shows a 52/42/30, mine is was 50/39/30. I changed the 30t to a 26t with no front derailleur adjustments, but I did have to put some washers under the 26t to place it in the right position as the original 30t, cuz of diff chainring profile or shape. This was a cheap way to lower the gearing, but ask at good bike stores about a whole new crank like mentioned. If you can use your existing bb, then its an easy change.
The trouble I've found is that some employees will tell you diff things in diff stores, a d not being technical, you won't know what to believe.

Good luck, there are a number of options, I'd visit a few stores and write down the various opinions and costs.