A good front crankset size
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A good front crankset size
I currently have a Trek 7200 Hybrid. I use it mainly for commuting but occasionally I do some trails (slight elevation, packed gravel). Anyway the front crank is a 3 ring triple 28/38/48. The rear is a 8 cog cassette 11-34. I want to replace the front with something forged and nicer, but when searching for exactly 28/38/48, it seems only the cheaper alvilio and stamped steels cranksets keep showing up. Are there any other chainring ratios that won't hurt the behavior of this bike and will expand my offerings. I prefer to keep a triple chainring.
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New 8 speed cranksets will be pretty much low end (as you've found). If you want a higher end 8 speed crankset you'll have to look used or NOS.
If a 9 speed crankset will work (I don't know, maybe someone can comment), that will be easier to find than an 8 speed crankset. Something like a Shimano Deore M590 crank is very solid, reasonably priced, and not too hard to find.
If a 9 speed crankset will work (I don't know, maybe someone can comment), that will be easier to find than an 8 speed crankset. Something like a Shimano Deore M590 crank is very solid, reasonably priced, and not too hard to find.
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Might want to look at mid-late 80's Deore or Shimano 6206 cranksets. They may not come with the exact chainring sizes you are looking to replace (and why mess whith a good thing?) but new 110 and 74 bcd rings are easy to find.
Not unusual for a Deore crank of that period to have 48-36-24 rings, with a 12 step jump in between. 6206 come with a variety of rings, often 50-52-53, then a 42-39 in the middle and a 30 on the inside, which were typical touring rig setups back in the day.
Sugino also makes a series of lovely forged triples, not cheap but a lifetime investment and often available used in the $60 range.
All of these will work well with 8-9-10 speed systems and all are square taper.
Not unusual for a Deore crank of that period to have 48-36-24 rings, with a 12 step jump in between. 6206 come with a variety of rings, often 50-52-53, then a 42-39 in the middle and a 30 on the inside, which were typical touring rig setups back in the day.
Sugino also makes a series of lovely forged triples, not cheap but a lifetime investment and often available used in the $60 range.
All of these will work well with 8-9-10 speed systems and all are square taper.
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What about the rear crankset? <grin>
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Sugino is a manufacturer 48-38-28 would be 110 74 bolt circles more good companies than Shimano..
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Maybe check Bike Recyclery.
HIGH END Used & Vintage Bike Shop! We stock Campagnolo XTR TA Suntour Parts NIB NOS
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HIGH END Used & Vintage Bike Shop! We stock Campagnolo XTR TA Suntour Parts NIB NOS
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As mentioned, Sugino cranks are nice https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...24&category=62 Also this very similar https://www.rivbike.com/collections/...8t-x-36t-x-26t
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I would suggest that you consider NOT going bigger but rather same or smaller, like 46/36/26 or similar. A bigger large ring is very likely going to be too high a gear for a hybrid. I changed the 50-40-30 crankset on my Trek hybrid to Sugino 42-32-22 with 12-25 in back and have been very satisfied with that gearing. IMO many bikes are geared way too high for normal folks, and encourages mashing in too-high gears which is terrible for one's knees, rather than learning to spin faster which is better for your joints and cardiovascular system. Your 48 x 11 is about 117 gear inches with 700c x 28 tires; IMO 100 is plenty for most folks if not too much; 90 suits me fine as I am in no hurry.
AnkleWork's suggestion to figure what gearing you currently use most often is a good one. Here is a nice calculator which will allow you to compare what you have got with gearing you are considering:
https://www.kstoerz.com/gearcalc/compare/
AnkleWork's suggestion to figure what gearing you currently use most often is a good one. Here is a nice calculator which will allow you to compare what you have got with gearing you are considering:
https://www.kstoerz.com/gearcalc/compare/
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This is a great recommendation. After you determine your preferred ratios, think about whether you really need a triple. In my volunteer work at the local coop, I've seen a lot of triples on bikes that have very little wear on the big and small rings. Most say that they rarely shift the front.
#11
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This is an excellent tool to help determine the gearing you need. Bicycle Gear Inch & Shifting Pattern Calculator