Changing inner ring on triple 30T to 26T

[JohnW]

I can only refer to my own experience. dropping the front granny ring down from 30T to 26T will make a difference, but I would suggest not enough.

If I wanted serious improvement down at the bottom end of the gears, I'd grasp the nettle and replace the chainset with a 22-32-42 or 44 ensemble. I know that it will be more expensive, but I would say that it would be worth it.

I ride 30-42-53 on all my bikes at the moment. I hardly ever use the 53, I got those chainsets because they were an incredible bargain at GB Cycles. For a short time, coming back from injury and lay-off, I used a 22-32-44 chainset, and the 22 ring made a real difference. I soon got so that I didn't need the 22 ring and took it off - and wad'ya know - the 44 ring was quite sufficient at the top end.

I just get the feeling, as I get older, that I'll be back to the 22 ring when I get into my seventies!!!!

Well, that's what I'd do if my bike was going to heavily laden.

[willem jongman]

Well, it is probably all a matter of a little bit here, a little bit there. So I think the way forward may well be a larger cassette, a slightly smaller front chainwheel, and last but not least, less weight to carry A smaller chainwheel can be dirt cheap, and a larger cassette can effectively cost nothing if you need a new one anyway, or if you put the old cassette and the old chain back on after your return. Lighter luggage may cost rather more, but is a more fundamental solution.
Willem

[Ayesha]

I can only refer to my own experience. dropping the front granny ring down from 30T to 26T will make a difference, but I would suggest not enough.

If I wanted serious improvement down at the bottom end of the gears, I'd grasp the nettle and replace the chainset with a 22-32-42 or 44 ensemble. I know that it will be more expensive, but I would say that it would be worth it.

I ride 30-42-53 on all my bikes at the moment. I hardly ever use the 53, I got those chainsets because they were an incredible bargain at GB Cycles. For a short time, coming back from injury and lay-off, I used a 22-32-44 chainset, and the 22 ring made a real difference. I soon got so that I didn't need the 22 ring and took it off - and wad'ya know - the 44 ring was quite sufficient at the top end.

I just get the feeling, as I get older, that I'll be back to the 22 ring when I get into my seventies!!!!

Well, that's what I'd do if my bike was going to heavily laden.

If an MTB chainset is installed on a road bike, the chain line will be further out and the front mech won't reach the 42 ring. A BB at least 6mm shorter will be needed. That's added £15 onto the bottom line,,,

A Shimano Alivio 22/32/44 is available in a bubble pack with a 110mm BB. I last saw it in Decathlon for £30.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/alivio-8s-ch ... 59487.html
Wow... Its now £45 !!

[JohnW]

I can't speak with much authority on this - and I can only relate my one experience with the 22-32-44 chainset.

The frame that I put it in to was one I had 'in stock' in stripped down condition, and I needed a new BB for it anyway. My LBS sold me a 'Nimrod' BB, at a very suitable price. The Sun-tour Cyclone front changer that I tried at first was from an earlier 42-52 application, and didn't have a chance! A Shimano Ultegra did the job.

The chainset is now on a friend's bike, and went straight on to a BB which had previously been occupied by a 'Stronglight Impact' 26-36-46 chainset with Tiagra front changer. Both frames are traditional handbuilt 531 road frames - mine built in 1979, the other built about 1985ish.

The main problem with the ensemble on my frame was the rear changer cable, which ran on top of the chain stay and the bottom of the Ultegra changer cage fouled up on the cable; this meant that the front changer was about 1mm too high to accord with conventional perceived wisdom. It still worked perfectly though.

Certainly that whole new ensemble would be more expensive than simply changing the granny ring, but is 30 down to 26 going to be a sufficiently significant lowering of gear if the 30 isn't low enough?

I'm just saying what I'd do - I'm not telling anyone else what to do.

[ossie]

Well, it is probably all a matter of a little bit here, a little bit there. So I think the way forward may well be a larger cassette, a slightly smaller front chainwheel, and last but not least, less weight to carry A smaller chainwheel can be dirt cheap, and a larger cassette can effectively cost nothing if you need a new one anyway, or if you put the old cassette and the old chain back on after your return. Lighter luggage may cost rather more, but is a more fundamental solution.
Willem

This is my answer. I have ordered a 26T small ring and will order a 11-34 cassette. Both will lower my gear inches to 20.5 from the 25.1 with my original set up. Its a cost effective solution that will see me through until I can spend the money on a suitable touring machine. It reflects the low gearing set up on a stock Surly LHT so that fills me with confidence.

Willem 4 panniers or 2 ...only joking

[willem jongman]

This sounds like a good solution. Do not forget to use a new chain with the new cassette.
Willem