Originally Posted by
Bulette
My current setup is 42/36/22. My cassette is 12-36. I enjoy it. Most days I'm just on the 36 chainring, but the 42 is great for tailwinds and the 22 essential for tough climbs.
The setup works well overall with one caveat. Most derailleurs are setup for 10ish teeth jumps between rings. With the odd steps between rings, the derailleur needs to be positioned to clear the 36, which leaves it riding high on the 22 and 42. I use a chain-keeper along side the inner ring and I am very attentive to the high limit screw.
I ran a 48/42/22 that gave the same shifting pattern and did zero adjustments to the front derailer. I just bolted the new chainring into place and started riding. It shifted flawlessly. The only issue was that the gearing was. Little higher. The front derailer, by the way, was a road front.