badger_biker 

I want to replace the 50-44-28 Biopace triple on my Schwinn Voyageur because I want more of a difference between the outer and middle ring and would like to drop to a 24. I have about a 1993 vintage Shimano Deore LX 46-36-24 road crank on another bike that I love. It shifts like a dream.

Is there something like the Shimano that is still available or what are my other options? The Sugino XD600 looks good but I don't know if it is available with a 24 granny.

Any recommendations for a good road 46-36-24 crank set that isn't too expensive? Also the bike is set up with a 7 speed freewheel.

Iowegian

AFAIK, Deore LX was always marketed as a mtb crank and that is probably the easiest and cheapest way to find what you're looking for. I think Surly LHT's come with a similar setup so you might want to see what they use. Any decent mtb crankset in a 110/74 BCD should work so check ebay or here at BF and you should find something pretty easily. You will probably need to replace the BB as well or at least the spindle so if you can get a package deal all the better.

Doug64

You can get a 24 tooth chainring that will fit the five bolt Sugino XD 600. I used that set up with STI shifters, and while it was not the smoothest shifting combination it was acceptable. It was used with a Tiagra triple FD. I rode it across the US without any problems. With a 68 mm bottom bracket shell and 130mm rear dropouts a 110mm bottom bracket axle length maintains a good chainline. If you go with a mountain bike crank like the Sugino XD 500 a shorter BB Axel, 103mm, is needed. Your bike may have narrower reaardropouts than 130mm which throws all the above bottom bracket info into question.

badamsjr

It sounds like you already have the crank you need, just not the rings you want. If it is 110/74 bcd, you should have no trouble finding 46/36/24 rings for it. This would avoid having to redo the BB, chainline, etc. If you need different crankarm length, then a new crank would be best. Otherwise, new rings would seem to be the most cost effective.

pacificaslim

Shimano does still sell Deore triples with what they call "trekking" gearing and I think it is 48/36/26, but it should take a 24 if you changed it out. Mountain chainrings would be even lower.

sstorkel

Correct. The current version is, I believe, the Deore FC-M590. It has 26/36/48T chainrings. I use a slightly older Deore M532 crank with the same ring sizes on my touring bike. The M590 is a 9-speed crank. Should work with 8-, 9-, or 10-speed drivetrains. Dunno about the OP's 7-speed, though.

One caveat: mountain bike cranks are setup for the 50mm chainline used by mountain bike drivetrains. I had to remove one of the spacers included with my M532 so that my road bike triple FD could shift to the outer chainring...

Philly Tandem

Your current crank likely has a 110/74 BCD, so you could just replace those Biopace chainrings with new ones to your liking (you can run a 24 with the 74mm BCD small position). Or, the current Sugino XD mentioned is a good value at about $110, although you'll still have to buy a 24-tooth ring for it (it comes with a 26). Bilenky has the crank with 26-36-46 rings for $110 at https://www.bilenky.com/store/scripts...p?idproduct=68 (that's where I bought mine, although I ordered it with a 48-tooth big ring).

pacificaslim

Ah, good advice on the mountain bike spec cranksets! I can report though that for what it's worth, the "trekking" deore crankset (sorry, don't remember bottom bracket) worked fine with a Tiagra (road) front derailleur on my Bianchi 'cross bike. The same derailleur also worked good with the compact double crankset I used later on as well.

BigBlueToe

I have the Sugino that came as a 46-36-26 and I switched the granny to a 24. I'm very happy with it. If your objective was to find an off-the-rack crankset, this doesn't do it, but I thought I'd mention it. The 24-tooth granny wasn't too expensive. I think I got it at Harris Cyclery.

russell-man

I bought a Sugino XD 500 48-36-24 from Ben's Cycle, I think. A website check shows that they don't appear to stock it anymore. But here it is on Soma's website: https://store.somafab.com/suxd600cr.html

C Dunlop

Middleburn make a set. About $100 through chainreactioncycles.com when they're in stock.

The one's you want are 'slickshift hardcoat' Although just the hardcoat ones are probably enough if your not a gel-eating racer boy.

Cheap, last forever, light, look good, well made.

Garthr

Rivendell sells the XD in 46-36-24 also. https://www.rivbike.com/products/show/sugino-xd2/12-190

A decent retailer should be able to swap rings for you though.

As stated, Shimano mtb cranks use a 50mm chainline, and are very wide in their tread. Not needed for road bike. The differnece between a vintage Deore crank and a new one will be shocking.

KDC1956

I use a Shimano 44,32,22t crank set on my LHT it works fine easy going up hills now too.

badger_biker 

Thanks to all of you for the suggestions and sources.

I took a long look at what works well on my other bike and what I have on both for a rear cogs and charted out the gear inches on both. I realized with the 14/34 on the V'ger I might want a little higher top end than a 46 will give me. The 50 I have may work so I think I'll take the suggestion a couple of you made and swap the chainrings on my existing crank. As was mentioned keeping the same crank may save me other adjustments/parts to keep the chainline correct. I think I'll try to find a 38 middle first and then swap my 24 inner from the other bike to make sure my derailleurs will handle the range.

If I can find a 38t biopace then I would only have the adjustment from BP to round when I kick to the granny. Otherwise I may bite the bullet and replace all with round.

fietsbob

I run a round 50 38 24 with a 14-34 freewheel, 6 0r 7
Its a good combo .. you can get aftermarket chainrings for 74 110 cranks .

from Salsa and Surly (QBP) and Sugino and many other brands
..stainless steel for the 24 and the middle one will be long wearing,
Ergal , 7075 t6 is a good aluminum alloy for long wearing too...

Iowegian

I have a bunch of Biopace rings that are just taking up space in my basement. Let me know what size(s) you are looking for and I'll check to see if I have them.

ricohman

Have you looked at the Shimano Trekking crankset? 48-36-26

badamsjr

+1 on the stainless rings--I went with 22/35/48 for touring, withthe 22/35 being stainless.