The current chainset is an FSA Tempo triple with 30T/42T/52T chainrings (not 30T/39T/50T as Dawes advertise). The cassette is an 8-speed Shimano HG50 12–25T with 12T, 13T, 15T, 17T, 19T, 21T, 23T, and 25T cogs. The bike has a Shimano FD-2303 front derailleur, RD-2300 rear derailleur, and ST-2303 shifters.
I weigh about 65 kg (145 lb) and climbing has always been my strongest point (not saying much, mind you!). So I’m thinking of converting to a simple compact-double chainset.
The Shimano FC-2350 is an obvious candidate: compatible, cheap, and cheerful. Heavy, certainly, but I’m no racer. However, it comes with 34T and 50T chainrings. I’d prefer something around 46T for the big ring, to optimise the cruising chainline. The 34T small ring is fine.
There is a forthcoming FC-2450 chainset (from the new 2400/Claris groupset) which looks interesting, in that it will be available in a 34T/46T version. But it uses an Octalink bottom bracket. I’d prefer to stick with square taper.
Question: could I buy the existing FC-2350 chainset and a 46T chainring for the forthcoming FC-2450 (PDF), and bolt them together even though this Shimano tech doc (PDF) doesn’t mention the possibility?
Alternatively, how close can I get to a chainset with these characteristics:
- ~34T and ~46T chainrings
- works with my current FD-2303 front derailleur or another cheap one
- works with an indexed ST-2300 front shifter (hoping to find a cheap left shifter somewhere)
- square taper
- 170 mm crank length
- perfectly compatible with an 8-speed chain
- durability more important than weight
- cheap!
Thanks!