Upgrading 3x7 to 2x11 or 3x10
02-20-21, 01:14 AM
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Upgrading 3x7 to 2x11 or 3x10
Hi. I'm looking to upgrade my 3x7, because I'm maxing out the gears on the road, but I'm bit struggling on steep climbs. I have my eyes on a Shimano Deore M5100 groupset 2x11 (11t-51t) setup and alternatively, I can just upgrade to Deore M6000 3x10 (just the RD, 11t-50t) for a bit less, if I keep my stock crankset. However, if I should replace the crankset as well, the cost would be the same as with the 2x11, though I may have to add hydraulic brakes if I should go 2x11.
My stock chainrings are 48-38-28, and my cassettes are 14-34. Again, my rides are mostly on hilly terrain, and I've only used a 3x7. The 3x10 crankset I can get just in cas is a 40-30-22.
My concerns are:
- would I run out of gear on flats on a 2x11?
- I heard that there are duplicate gears on a 3x, so is it correct to assume that a 2x is more efficient, and I can utilize its gears better?
- which is better in the long run, considering future upgrades as well?
I also want to keep the bike itself, so buying a new one is out of question, though it may cost less.
I'm new to these jargon, so please bear with me. Appreciate your inputs.
My stock chainrings are 48-38-28, and my cassettes are 14-34. Again, my rides are mostly on hilly terrain, and I've only used a 3x7. The 3x10 crankset I can get just in cas is a 40-30-22.
My concerns are:
- would I run out of gear on flats on a 2x11?
- I heard that there are duplicate gears on a 3x, so is it correct to assume that a 2x is more efficient, and I can utilize its gears better?
- which is better in the long run, considering future upgrades as well?
I also want to keep the bike itself, so buying a new one is out of question, though it may cost less.
I'm new to these jargon, so please bear with me. Appreciate your inputs.
02-20-21, 07:52 AM
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Get a bigger big ring to keep from running out of gear going downhill
a 7 speed freehub is not compatible with 10 or 11 speeds soyou would need a new wheelset ( technically just a new rear hub, but if you are upgrading the drivetrain, makes sense to get better wheels). Then you need crankset,bottom bracket, shifters , cassette. Unless this is a very special bicycle, itsnot worth it since your main complaint is running out of gear going downhill . Bigger chainring will get you there for 20 bucks- make sure to raise thefront derailleur a bitto clear it
swapping the cassette toa 12-34 is pretty easy too
you didnt provide information about the bike itself, but since 7 speeds have been outdated since 1992 on enthusiast level bicycles, i am guessing the bike is either older or a budget model. If that is thecase, you spending $500 on anew drivetrain is only going to expose more deficiencies in the machine, likethe brakes, cheap suspension if it has any, etc etc
its akin to getting your girlfriend a boob job, only to realize while that is nice to look at, she still has a amuffin top, cankles and yellow teeth
a 7 speed freehub is not compatible with 10 or 11 speeds soyou would need a new wheelset ( technically just a new rear hub, but if you are upgrading the drivetrain, makes sense to get better wheels). Then you need crankset,bottom bracket, shifters , cassette. Unless this is a very special bicycle, itsnot worth it since your main complaint is running out of gear going downhill . Bigger chainring will get you there for 20 bucks- make sure to raise thefront derailleur a bitto clear it
swapping the cassette toa 12-34 is pretty easy too
you didnt provide information about the bike itself, but since 7 speeds have been outdated since 1992 on enthusiast level bicycles, i am guessing the bike is either older or a budget model. If that is thecase, you spending $500 on anew drivetrain is only going to expose more deficiencies in the machine, likethe brakes, cheap suspension if it has any, etc etc
its akin to getting your girlfriend a boob job, only to realize while that is nice to look at, she still has a amuffin top, cankles and yellow teeth
Last edited by DMC707; 02-20-21 at 08:00 AM.
02-20-21, 04:01 PM
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You need to do some math. Look at the highest and lowest ratios with what you have vs what you options are.
