Upgrade
06-13-19, 12:20 PM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Upgrade
Hi Everyone, just had a quick question that would probably be answered very easily.
I would like to upgrade the bike to have a 2x instead of the current 3x on there. I aim to ride this bike for cyclocross so im guessing a 46/36t? The bike has 8 speed STI shifters and a 12-25t cassette in the back.
Are there any supporting mods I should do before/after changing the crank?
Thanks in advance for any tips!
-Richard
I would like to upgrade the bike to have a 2x instead of the current 3x on there. I aim to ride this bike for cyclocross so im guessing a 46/36t? The bike has 8 speed STI shifters and a 12-25t cassette in the back.
Are there any supporting mods I should do before/after changing the crank?
Thanks in advance for any tips!
-Richard
06-13-19, 12:46 PM
#2
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I don't think there's much to do other than make sure your lower FD limit is set so you don't accidentally shift your chain off. You'll have useless click, but other than a totally slack cable, I don't think there's any issue.
06-13-19, 01:44 PM
#3
Senior Member
Depending on what type of STI you have, you can decide which shift positions to use, small to middle or middle to large. Then use the FD limit screw to lock-out the unused position.
The differences between the position (S->M) vs. (M->L) are:
*Trim position availability, if you have and/or want them.
*Cable pull/tension, with Shimano STI the SM shift pull a little more cable than the ML shift. This is designed-in to take up any extra slack. This may help shifting speed and allow you to use a lower tension in the small ring.
The differences between the position (S->M) vs. (M->L) are:
*Trim position availability, if you have and/or want them.
*Cable pull/tension, with Shimano STI the SM shift pull a little more cable than the ML shift. This is designed-in to take up any extra slack. This may help shifting speed and allow you to use a lower tension in the small ring.
06-13-19, 04:26 PM
#4
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A possible downside to locking out the M>L shift is that if you forget and force the shift you may jam the ratchet such that you cannot shift back down; you could even damage the mechanism.
Personally I would not consider going from 3x to 2x an upgrade but others might; I would miss those low range gears, and to get the same range out of 2 rings would necessarily spread out the remaining gears so the gaps would be bigger.
Personally I would not consider going from 3x to 2x an upgrade but others might; I would miss those low range gears, and to get the same range out of 2 rings would necessarily spread out the remaining gears so the gaps would be bigger.
06-13-19, 05:54 PM
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A possible downside to locking out the M>L shift is that if you forget and force the shift you may jam the ratchet such that you cannot shift back down; you could even damage the mechanism.
Personally I would not consider going from 3x to 2x an upgrade but others might; I would miss those low range gears, and to get the same range out of 2 rings would necessarily spread out the remaining gears so the gaps would be bigger.
Personally I would not consider going from 3x to 2x an upgrade but others might; I would miss those low range gears, and to get the same range out of 2 rings would necessarily spread out the remaining gears so the gaps would be bigger.
YOu might need to consider chain length depending on your new gear set.
06-13-19, 06:09 PM
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A possible downside to locking out the M>L shift is that if you forget and force the shift you may jam the ratchet such that you cannot shift back down; you could even damage the mechanism.
Personally I would not consider going from 3x to 2x an upgrade but others might; I would miss those low range gears, and to get the same range out of 2 rings would necessarily spread out the remaining gears so the gaps would be bigger.
Personally I would not consider going from 3x to 2x an upgrade but others might; I would miss those low range gears, and to get the same range out of 2 rings would necessarily spread out the remaining gears so the gaps would be bigger.
