Upgrading Crank Set
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Upgrading Crank Set
I have a 50/34 crankset on my Fuji Sportif and are exploring an upgrade to something lower geared. Is it worthwhile to goto something like a 46/30 or even a 46/36? Would a mountain bike double such as a 38/22 fit? I run an 11-36 10 speed cassette on the stock Tiagra front/rear derailleurs.
#2
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A quick look suggests this is a road bike, correct? Gearing is already pretty low. Your lowest ratio is a 34 tooth chainring on the crankset and a whopping 36 tooth largest rear cog. What are you looking to do as gearing seems pretty low right now. More information might help.
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Gearing is very subjective. If you feel like you need lower gearing go for it, it's your bike. Depending upon which crankset you choose you may need to change to a different front derailleur but they are not too costly. I feel that most bikes come geared too high for my tastes, 50 x 11 with 700c x 28 tires is about 120 gear-inches, 100 or under works best for me. A smaller crankset and a cassette with a smaller big cog and closer spacing will give more closely-spaced gears with narrower jumps between
Here is a calculator which will help to compare your current and proposed gearing choices: https://www.kstoerz.com/gearcalc/com...38,28&ighid2=1
Here is a calculator which will help to compare your current and proposed gearing choices: https://www.kstoerz.com/gearcalc/com...38,28&ighid2=1
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As long as you don't need the high ratios you are going to loose, then it might be okay. I don't think a mountain crank is a problem in general, but with that 11-36 on the back, you might need to take a close look at all the DR specs both front and rear to see if your DR's can handle that. The specs might be a little conservative, but when you are outside of them you can't blame the mfr for your ills.
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Yes, there are ways of getting lower gears.
But
If 34/36 isn't low enough for you on an unloaded road bike, I doubt you're going to find any magic with even lower gears.
But
If 34/36 isn't low enough for you on an unloaded road bike, I doubt you're going to find any magic with even lower gears.
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I have a 50/34 crankset on my Fuji Sportif and are exploring an upgrade to something lower geared. Is it worthwhile to goto something like a 46/30 or even a 46/36? Would a mountain bike double such as a 38/22 fit? I run an 11-36 10 speed cassette on the stock Tiagra front/rear derailleurs.
If I were looking at a a 38/22 crank, I'd pair it with a narrow-range cassette such that I could do most of my riding on the 38 ring and just use the 22 for difficult hills. A 11-28 or 12-28 cassette would give you tight, comfortable steps with a reasonable high and a killer low.
In fact, I'd consider a 38x22 should I ever spring for an 11 speed setup.
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The 34/36 is low enough and I do use the whole cassette down to the 11t. Id say I use the 50 and the 34 equal due to the terrain here in PA. I've thought about going next to a 1x gravel bike so getting the drivetrain close to that with the low gear with my current setup was my train of thought.
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Of course the old-fashioned way (and my approach) to get a wide range with gradual steps in between is with a triple...
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If you use the 50 front 11 back combo going downhill, you will miss it sorely with anything less on the front. I'm 52/36 with 11-34 11-32 and am thinking of going the other way with a 53/39 front. I've been waiting till I get a chance to ride a rails to trails that is 44 miles of one to not quite two percent grade and see what gears I really rely on for flats. Based on the hills themselves I ride, I think it'd be a good choice.
Not sure where your 1x talk came into the picture, I guess I didn't follow the conversation well.
I only ride road and pavement so YMMV.
Not sure where your 1x talk came into the picture, I guess I didn't follow the conversation well.
I only ride road and pavement so YMMV.
Last edited by Iride01; 07-21-19 at 03:53 PM.
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I'm sorry. Your explanation is still unclear. Why is the single chain ring relevant to this? Do you want to eliminate the double chain rings on front and go to a single chain ring? Is that it?
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I'm not sure what you really want. Maybe just keep the double as is? The 34 x 32T is plenty low, and since you say that you even use the 50 x 11T on occasion, I wouldn't recommend changing anything.
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I am building a 1x10 gravel bike and planning to run a 39T ring with a 11-36 cassette. Let me know how yours works out and I'll do the same if I get done 1st!
I have a 42T ring lying around which fits my crank I can use if it turns out to be too low geared. My tire size is pretty standard for gravel biking: 700x33C
I have a 42T ring lying around which fits my crank I can use if it turns out to be too low geared. My tire size is pretty standard for gravel biking: 700x33C