Cycling UK Forum

Is a smaller (ultra compact?) chainset with 46/30 rings available, compatible with Shimano 11-speed?

A 30 T ring will not fit on a 110 mm BCD, so a normal compact chainset can't fill your need.
Chainsets with 110/74 BCD do exist but rare, TA or Sugino may be interesting.
Any 10 Speed crankset will accept a 11 speed chain.

Hi
You can get 46 outer rings but the 30 inner will be a challenge for the reasons above. A triple will do the job and be more readily available provided your levers are suitable
Regards
tim-b

presumably you want a 'road' chainline? I think there are MTB chainsets that can have the ratios you want, but they will give a wider chainline, and because of the way modern BBs are designed, you can't easily adjust that.

Worth looking at Middleburn chainsets to get something that will do what you want. Also Rene Herse (Compass), Velo Orange offerings.

cheers

My wife uses a 700c wheeled Islabike that my son used to ride, and I replaced its "compact" chainset (something like 48/34) with a modified triple from Spa Cycles with the outer chainring replaced with a chainguard. So she now has a double with 42/28 which suits her better. A small ring of 26 would have been possible with the existing front mechanism. And interestingly, the distance between crank faces on the XD2 cranks (imagining they were both facing down at the same time) is about 15mm less than on my 2004 Shimano Deore Mtb chainset. I don't say that automatically indicates a road bike chainline, but gear changing worked well after a few careful tweaks (including slight bending of the front mech cage).

The XD2 cranks are nice to look at but cost only£20. Best buy ever! But you have to then buy the chain rings / guard (cost varies) and a suitable bottom bracket.

An Alpine cainset perhaps we discussed it here with a few suggestions
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=94141&start=15

A Suntour or Shimano compact chainset from the 80s or 90s with bcds of 94/58 (5 arm) will mount on a 107mm axle and, using the outer 2 rings only, give the gears you need. The chainline is reasonable across a 130 or 135 mm rear spacing. The front rings will work with a 9/10 speed but I am not sure about 11 speed. Someone on this thread will know.

I second Brucey. Middleburn will do it - I have that combination, but its not inexpensive! Very good quality.

BUT do all the above suit 11 speed as the O.P. mentions?

Sugino makes one, I use the 10s version, shifts fine, 46/30 rings and Shimano CX-70 front mech.
I am using d/t shifters, don't know about STI.

http://www.alexscycle.com/cranks/road-1 ... 11spd.html