richas

I have one of these older cross bikes that I use for long gravel rides. The lowest gearing is not low enough for the steep stuff. I have "minimum cadence" and it is way to fast and I blow out. Perhaps you gear gurus can tell me something about this setup:

Crank:
FSA Gossamer
46/36T 110mm N10

Cassette shimano cs-m771-10 11/34
11t
deore XT

I have ordered a 34T inner chain ring in case that will be compatible. Not sure how much it will help. Cassette chang-out? I understand that this can involve problems with the derailleur...

Thanks for the help

Rich

Elvo

1. Replace the chainrings with aftermarket 46/30T
2. Replace the crankset with an "adventure" crankset with 48/33, 48/32, 46/30T
3. Replace the rear cassette with 11-36/40/42/44 along with lengthening your chain and dropping your derailer via b screw or goatlink
4. Replace crankset with mountain crankset (38/28 or lower) and add a mountain FD

tangerineowl

Starting with your smaller Inner chainring is the cheapest option at the moment.

Specialites TA 110 Zephyr does an Inner 33t, incase you still want a bit lower than the 34t.
Cheaper '8/9/10' ring, or their new 11V ring.

One thing to be aware of is the tab spacing on a spider vs the ring fit itself.
Specialites TA has two tab-width options (only? in the new 11V rings), for example. One type can tend to fit a spider tab better, without having to remove some material from a spider tab.

richas

Thank you for the replies. I have ordered a extended range cassette (Shimano HG-500 11-42). I will try to get that to work with my derailleur. Maybe going 1X later.

Rich