There are hills in Korea...
#1
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There are hills in Korea...
Hi, I'm relatively new to road biking, living in Korea, and I just bought a second-hand road bike last weekend. It is a joy to ride, and I love it, but my daily commute to work is up a long, steep hill. I currently have 52 and 42T chainrings and a 8 speed cassette. And so, I was finding it difficult by the top of the hill this morning!
So, I think I would like to get a 30T chainring on... but I've never done that before. I think the existing ones are shimano, is it possible to just buy the 30T online one and pop it on myself??
So, I think I would like to get a 30T chainring on... but I've never done that before. I think the existing ones are shimano, is it possible to just buy the 30T online one and pop it on myself??
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Each crankarm has a Bolt Circle Diameter (BCD) that determines the smallest chainring that will fit. If you have a 42, you may get lucky and be able to fit a 39 on there, or 42 might be the smallest. You have 3 basic options.
1) Get a crankset such as a compact style with 50-36 or 50-34
2) Get a cassette/freewheel with larger cogs on the rear wheel
3) Combination of 1 & 2
If you give specific details of your bike, preferably with closeup pictures, you might get more detailed answers.
1) Get a crankset such as a compact style with 50-36 or 50-34
2) Get a cassette/freewheel with larger cogs on the rear wheel
3) Combination of 1 & 2
If you give specific details of your bike, preferably with closeup pictures, you might get more detailed answers.
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Each crankarm has a Bolt Circle Diameter (BCD) that determines the smallest chainring that will fit. If you have a 42, you may get lucky and be able to fit a 39 on there, or 42 might be the smallest. You have 3 basic options.
1) Get a crankset such as a compact style with 50-36 or 50-34
2) Get a cassette/freewheel with larger cogs on the rear wheel
3) Combination of 1 & 2
If you give specific details of your bike, preferably with closeup pictures, you might get more detailed answers.
1) Get a crankset such as a compact style with 50-36 or 50-34
2) Get a cassette/freewheel with larger cogs on the rear wheel
3) Combination of 1 & 2
If you give specific details of your bike, preferably with closeup pictures, you might get more detailed answers.
Does it help?
#6
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A less expensive option might be a rear cassette with a bigger cog but I think the largest you can go with your current rear der is 28T(?) which might not be enough.
Going to a triple on the front requires shifter changes and well as a new rear der. This could get expensive quite quickly.
Probably the simplest solution is a new compact crank but it will require a bit of a search as your BB is square taper.
Anyone else have any other ideas?
#7
Good suggestions Bob
Square taper bottom bracket- Shimano is JIS square taper. Avoid Campy/ISO square taper unless you have a crankset that is compatible.
If you buck up for a new shimano compact crank, I believe they come w/ the bb. But, that might be really expensive in Korea.
also, ask these guys-they are "local":
https://www.facebook.com/groups/HanRiverRiders/
Square taper bottom bracket- Shimano is JIS square taper. Avoid Campy/ISO square taper unless you have a crankset that is compatible.
If you buck up for a new shimano compact crank, I believe they come w/ the bb. But, that might be really expensive in Korea.
also, ask these guys-they are "local":
https://www.facebook.com/groups/HanRiverRiders/
#9
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With all the tight roads in Korea, I'd be a bit freaked out with the crazy bus drivers passing by! Heh. I haven't been back to Korea in a long time. Are there a lot of roadies and triathletes out there now?
Uncle partially got me into all this crazy stuff with his boxes of IM and other triathlon medals! Family and farm work have kept him too busy to keep up with the tri stuff~
Uncle partially got me into all this crazy stuff with his boxes of IM and other triathlon medals! Family and farm work have kept him too busy to keep up with the tri stuff~
#13
my nice bike is at home
Riding in Seoul seems similar to riding in LA. Snarling traffic in the urban grid, hills surrounding.
Would love to explore the Korean Countryside..enjoy!
Would love to explore the Korean Countryside..enjoy!
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Hit me up if you ever fancy a trip down! I don't know many foreign cyclists here!
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Here are a few solutions: They are ranked in order of both price (low to high) and effectiveness (low to high). Go figure.
1. Cassette with a 28 tooth max.
2. Cassette with a 28 tooth max and new chainrings (53 and 39 tooth).
3. Cassette with a 28 tooth max and a new compact crank - provides 50 and 34 tooth chainrings.
4. Cassette with a 28 tooth max, a triple crank (30 tooth minimum I think), a front derailleur, and a front shifter.
Another silly idea you might want to consider (unsure of its feasibility) is to buy a mountain bike rear derailleur and slap on a large mountain-bike-geared cassette (32 tooth max or larger). Mix and match with the above solutions.
1. Cassette with a 28 tooth max.
2. Cassette with a 28 tooth max and new chainrings (53 and 39 tooth).
3. Cassette with a 28 tooth max and a new compact crank - provides 50 and 34 tooth chainrings.
4. Cassette with a 28 tooth max, a triple crank (30 tooth minimum I think), a front derailleur, and a front shifter.
Another silly idea you might want to consider (unsure of its feasibility) is to buy a mountain bike rear derailleur and slap on a large mountain-bike-geared cassette (32 tooth max or larger). Mix and match with the above solutions.
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So here is my rear cassette. Can anyone recommend a good shimano, or other popular brand cassette that would be suitable? Even if I have a link to a US seller, I can then find the same product on a Korean site.
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Technically you don't have a cassette, what you have is a *freewheel* they may look similar but the guts inside are completely different.
You cannot put a cassette there as they are not compatible. It's not as easy as you may think, if you want a modern cassette you require a new hub (that's the wheel axle) or a new wheel, new rear derrailers and new rear shifter. Your frame may not have enough clearance for newer cassettes, as these are wider.
I'd agree with the poster above that suggested getting a new compact crankset, sometimes they come with the bottom bracket (set of bearings) included. Here in the US, a compact Shimano 105 or Ultegra can cost between $150-200 dlls, but to me it would be the simplest way to alleviate your problem.
You cannot put a cassette there as they are not compatible. It's not as easy as you may think, if you want a modern cassette you require a new hub (that's the wheel axle) or a new wheel, new rear derrailers and new rear shifter. Your frame may not have enough clearance for newer cassettes, as these are wider.
I'd agree with the poster above that suggested getting a new compact crankset, sometimes they come with the bottom bracket (set of bearings) included. Here in the US, a compact Shimano 105 or Ultegra can cost between $150-200 dlls, but to me it would be the simplest way to alleviate your problem.
#18
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Ahh, I have a freewheel... I knew that. I'm learning. So buying a freewheel hub and changing it the same way isn't as easy?
I'll start having a look around for a compact crank, it would solve my problem.. If they aren't massively expensive here.
I'll start having a look around for a compact crank, it would solve my problem.. If they aren't massively expensive here.
#19
Jeju is amazing! I would love to spend a few days and ride there, you're lucky.
FSA Vero crankset- square taper JIS- will fit your existing bottom bracket. Very affordable and quality crankset
https://www.fullspeedahead.com/produc...mpact-Crankset
Shimano Sora crankset - 50/34 chainrings (FC3450)
https://cycle.shimano.co.kr/publish/c...0.-type-..html
this is the required bottom bracket (*note the crankset may have the bb included. I'm not sure on Sora, please check before buying)
https://cycle.shimano.co.kr/publish/c...0.-type-..html
I don't have sources for 8 speed freewheels but there are several Shimano models like this
https://www.rei.com/product/769222/sh...speed-cassette
The HG50 I linked above is available in Korea as part of the 2300 group
https://cycle.shimano.co.kr/publish/c...road/2300.html
Note that you might need a longer chain if there is not enough slack.
Good luck!
FSA Vero crankset- square taper JIS- will fit your existing bottom bracket. Very affordable and quality crankset
https://www.fullspeedahead.com/produc...mpact-Crankset
Shimano Sora crankset - 50/34 chainrings (FC3450)
https://cycle.shimano.co.kr/publish/c...0.-type-..html
this is the required bottom bracket (*note the crankset may have the bb included. I'm not sure on Sora, please check before buying)
https://cycle.shimano.co.kr/publish/c...0.-type-..html
I don't have sources for 8 speed freewheels but there are several Shimano models like this
https://www.rei.com/product/769222/sh...speed-cassette
The HG50 I linked above is available in Korea as part of the 2300 group
https://cycle.shimano.co.kr/publish/c...road/2300.html
Note that you might need a longer chain if there is not enough slack.
Good luck!
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I would just look on
www.auction.kr
www.gmarket.co.kr
either are based in Korea and sell almost anything. I'd say they are the best bet beyond finding the best high end store you can get locally and seeing what they have in the parts bin. Most Korean riders upgrade so much stuff you can build whole bikes to a really nice standard from the stuff they just leave at the LBS.
www.auction.kr
www.gmarket.co.kr
either are based in Korea and sell almost anything. I'd say they are the best bet beyond finding the best high end store you can get locally and seeing what they have in the parts bin. Most Korean riders upgrade so much stuff you can build whole bikes to a really nice standard from the stuff they just leave at the LBS.