Cycling UK Forum

The Abus granit 54 is pretty good and the eazy kf mount is very nice (there are a few mount variants). Gold secured.

I often think it's OTT for touring but if peace of mind is important to you (as it is to me!) it can be added to the frame quite easily. It's relatively light for the protection it provides. The mechanism is nice and smooth and I like that it has a feature where the key can only be removed when it's locked (saves forgetting to turn it all the way). Both ends of the shackle are locked so both bars need to be cut to get the thing off.

What front derailleur do you use with it Colin? Are you using D/T shifters with it?

Any 9 speed Shimano MTB derailleur?

And just so I've explored all possible options, has anyone used these Jtek Shiftmates? Then a wide range cassette /small granny ring with a mtb RD to take up the slack chain...

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/jtek-shiftma ... prod19046/

..or one of these?

http://www.lindarets.com/roadlink/

Aren't cars now fitted with daytime running lights? And motorbikes for a long time.

I use mine in the daytime. Front and back when the traffic/weather/light makes me think it's worth it.

Agreed, it has gone off course and bewildering. I hadn't thought about any other ways to lower my gears than fitting the standard triple Shimano which was my original intent. It's been useful to get the alternatives. And agreed a square taper would be longer lasting/adaptable. I was trying to keep things simple, if only in my head!

PS I do want to change the shifters anyhow, those clothes lines are annoying me.

So the only way to go lower than a 30 with an external bearing bb is one of these Sugino jobs? How low do people generally go for laden touring? I definitely struggled with my current low of 34

PS Brucey - thanks for your advice on the V pipe/Tiagra hack to get the clothes lines out the way of the bar bag. Worked a treat for my trip across France.

No, as little fettling as necessary...

Just after getting a lower geared bike still keeping brifters and not creating too much of a frankenbike!

Exciting - I wouldn't mind going off brand and getting a lower geared chainset.

So to summarise the considerations when choosing a new chainset are to make sure the BCD match the old one coming off the bike and making sure it is road not MTB. Spa Cycles seem to have lots of choice. Any worries about going to low with the number of teeth?

Yes - unfortunately they are definitely doubles.

Just had a thought, could I put one of these MTB triples on it without dire consequences? 42-32-24T, 48-36-26T or 22.30.40t

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shim ... prod108982
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shim ... prod106873

Gotcha. Interested to hear other people's experience if they have stuck a triple on a Croix de fer?

Hello all,

I'm changing the stock double on my CdF 20 Ltd (2015) after a beautiful but hard September cycling across France. I'm changing it to a Triple with the following components...

4703 Triple 10 Speed Crankset
4703 Triple 10 Speed Front Mech
Tiagra 4703 3x10 Speed STI
4700 10 Speed Rear Mech

Currently fitted are

Double brifters - Shimano ST-460
10 speed cassette 11-34
10 speed rear derailleur Shimano RD-350
Shimano FD-460 double front derailleur
Double crankset FC-R460 48/34T
Shimano SM-BB4600, 68mm

Happy with this choice so not looking for suggestions for alternatives (unless these are world changing!) but just some advice on Bottom Bracket choice. Will I need to change it? Is there an easy way to find out what length I will need? Any other help with the process? (maybe I'm imagining this being more complicated than it actually will be!) I'd like to keep the 11-34 cassette but some websites indicate it's a maximum 34 with a triple chainset, any truth in this or is it get awayable?

Your's semi-clueless.

Of course, there will be nothing but sunshine as soon as I roll off the ferry...