Lars Halstrom

Why did they put a 52/36 crankset on these. I would think they would be lower gears like a MTB for offroad uphill use. Having harder gears just doesn't make sense for going downhill on gravel or on a trail. Why not the 50/34?

DirtRoadRunner

Too high gearing is a typical problem with pretty much any bike. 52/36 is a horrible choice for a mixed-surface bike, and even a 50/34 is kind of high. I have a 46/30 on my gravel bike, which is perfect, but hard to find and not produced by SRAM, Shimano, or FSA. At the very least, a 46/34 should be easy to come by and is much more versatile than a 52/36. Maybe the parts suppliers gave them a good deal on those cranksets.

NormanF

Good question.... if gearing is too tall, your LBS should be able to customize the crankset/cassette ratio.

I guess they used road gearing by default without thinking how off-road riding might be different.

Soody

Just like how nearly every shimano cassette has the damn 11t cog. ill take 12-13-14 or 13-14-15 straight gears and no 11 please shimano. Most people like mashing away and getting sore i guess.

Lars Halstrom

Thanks for the tip. I Googled 46/30 crankset and found this article in Cyclocross Magazine, IRD Defiant Wide Compact Crankset 46/30 2015 Gravel Gearing. Since the 2016 has a PF BB30 with a threaded adapter, would I have any installation issues with the IRD crankset?

NormanF

Before you buy, take your bike to your bike shop and see what the mechanic says. If it fits, then buy it.

DirtRoadRunner

It should be able to screw into a English-threaded BB30 adapter, with the correct square-taper bottom bracket. That said, the IRD has minimal ramps and pins and would look totally out of place on a modern-looking bike like the GT Grade. I bought a Sugino OX801D from Alex's Cycles in Japan, for around $300 USD shipped. It has excellent ramps and pins, shifts very well, and looks modern with a well-sealed external bottom bracket. I haven't used the IRD, but I have a hard time believing that it would shift anywhere near as well as a fully modern ramped and pinned crankset, and I also think that square taper bottom brackets are kind of outdated. The Sugino is a top-notch crankset.

Lars Halstrom

Do you have the Sugino OX801D on a GT Grade now? Today's pricing from Alex's is $342 shipped.

DirtRoadRunner

Mine is on a All-City Space Horse.

I just realized the Grade appears to be a 11-speed bike. I'm not sure how the OX801D will work with an 11 speed system. My bike is a 10-speed.

GovernorSilver

Looks like most of the 2016 GT Grade models have a 50/34 crankset.
Meet the 2016 GT Grade - Go Rogue!

The model that interests me the most is the Grade Alloy 105, because it's in the same price range and has similar specs as another brand/model that interests me (Felt V85). For some reason, the 2015 version sells for $200 more at Performance Bikes.

Lars Halstrom

Here is the one for 11-speed Shimano compatible. https://www.alexscycle.com/cranks/road-1-2-3-4-5-6/sugino-ox901d-compact-plus-11spd.html

Lars Halstrom

The 105 carbon has "Shimano 105 52/36 with Praxis Works PF30 BB adapter". I don't know why they would change cranksets on alloys to FSA's 50/34.

GovernorSilver

You didn't say you were talking about the carbon ones.

There are indeed two carbon models with the bigger cranksets, and the one model with the SRAM 40t single crankset...

but the rest of the models - which makes them the majority - have 50/34. The Alloy 105 is one of my candidates for next commuter bike. $1500-ish seems to be the sweet spot for my needs and desires (105 groupset, not too aggressive geometry, disc brakes). Too bad all the bikes in this price range come in boring colors (black or grey) compared to true CX bikes but I'm prioritizing ride quality and value over nice colors.

sgtrobo

from the website:

"KNOW NO BOUNDSmaxTREADROOM
The chainstays of all Grade models have been engineered with clearance to accommodate a wide choice of tread patterns and tire widths beyond 35mm."

how far beyond 35mm? Can this bad boy go up to 40c WTB Nanos or 41c Knards?