How easy is it to convert to a triple chainset?

wicked2627

Hi,

I'm new to road biking and have got a Boardman Pro Carbon. However, until my fitness gets up, I need a smaller front ring to get up the hills around sheffield

Is it possible for me to change just the rings on my chainset? I currently have a SRAM Force BB30 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sram-force-bb30-double-chainset-2010/ so don't want to change the whole thing.

I have had a search but can't seem to find the answer. I think the SRAM Force shifter will work with triples because it clicks 3 times when shifting between the rings.

Any advice will help. Thanks!

John.T

SRAM don't do triples so the shifter will not take one. Your options are to go for a compact chainset ( you can not fit compact rings to your 53/39 set), fit a SRAM Apex rear mech and cassette, or both if you want to go really low.

wicked2627

Thanks for the response.

Think i'll take the cheaper option of going to the gym to improve my fitness

John Stevenson

Instead of wasting your time and money in the gym, there are three ways to improve your cycling fitness:

1 ride your bike
b ride your bike
iii ride your bike

Elio

Go for a compact if you must, but never use a triple. It will make you lazy. For the rest, it's as John says...

John.T

You did not say what your current rings and cassette are. I have assumed 53/39 rings. You can fit a cassette up to a 28 sprocket with your current set up. If you already have that then it is as I said earlier.
John is also quite right.

DCowling

Wicked2627 wrote:

Hi,

I'm new to road biking and have got a Boardman Pro Carbon. However, until my fitness gets up, I need a smaller front ring to get up the hills around sheffield

Is it possible for me to change just the rings on my chainset? I currently have a SRAM Force BB30 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sram-force-bb30-double-chainset-2010/ so don't want to change the whole thing.

I have had a search but can't seem to find the answer. I think the SRAM Force shifter will work with triples because it clicks 3 times when shifting between the rings.

Any advice will help. Thanks!

I was thinking about doing the same ( Boardman Comp) but as I am skint, I now try and ride everywhere in the big ring, to strengthen my legs and keep the little ring for those hills I know I will need it.
I am working on the theory that if I don't use the little ring as much, then when I do, I will get the full benefit from it. ( bit like Nan telling me to take my coat off indoors)

Bozman

Physically easy but mentally you'll never get over it!.
Have a look at a compact and your cassette first and then given time and practice you'll get there.

Monty Dog

Quote: I was thinking about doing the same ( Boardman Comp) but as I am skint, I now try and ride everywhere in the big ring, to strengthen my legs and keep the little ring for those hills I know I will need it.

...and a good way of b*ggering up your knees/tendons too if a beginner - simply riding the bike more will make you stronger - hauling huge gears within under-developed muscles and tendons is only likely to create inflammatory conditions. If you want to develop an efficient, fluid pedalling style keep to easy gears - otherwise get a fixed gear bike and ride everywhere on 53x16!

wicked2627

Thanks Guys,

My current chainset is 53 x 39. I will try and ride more (instead of going to the gym) once the wind calms down a bit.

Silly question but what's a 'compact'?

Erudin

Wicked2627 wrote:

Thanks Guys,

My current chainset is 53 x 39. I will try and ride more (instead of going to the gym) once the wind calms down a bit.

Silly question but what's a 'compact'?

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crankset

Compact crankset

....In the context of road cycling, compact drivetrain typically refers to double cranksets with a smaller (usually 110mm) bolt circle diameter than the standard 130mm or Campagnolo's 135mm. As of 2006, all of the major component manufacturers such as Shimano and Campagnolo offer compact cranks in their midrange and high-end product lines. The compact crankset provides a compromise between the standard road double crankset (with 39/52 or 39/53 tooth chainrings) and the road triple (with 30/42/52 or 30/39/53 tooth chainrings). The compact crankset has two chainrings and typical ratios are 34/48, 34/50 and 36/50. This provides nearly the same lower gear ratios as a triple but without the need for a third chainring, a triple front derailleur and a long cage rear derailleur. Note that both Shimano and Campagnolo recommend and sell front derailleurs specifically designed for compact cranksets, claiming better shifting.

Compact gearing is not necessarily lower than standard gearing if cassettes with smaller sprockets (such as 11–23) are used. A high gear of 50×11 on a compact drivechain is actually slightly higher than the 53×12 of a standard set.

Compact gearing usually has a large percentage jump between the two chainrings. In balance, it may also allow small jumps in the rear by allowing a closer ratio cassette to be used, except for the 9% jump at the high end between the 11 and 12 tooth sprockets.

See also: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/ and Compact or triple?

wicked2627

Thanks,

Would this involve purchasing a whole new crankset? or could I get 'compact' rings to replace on my existing one?

paulbox

Something to do with make-up...

Erudin

Wicked2627 wrote:

Thanks,

Would this involve purchasing a whole new crankset? or could I get 'compact' rings to replace on my existing one?

Don't think so, need different Bolt Circle Diameter cranks.

From: http://www.sram.com/sram/road/products/s900-bb30-crankset

BB30

SRAM RED & 2010 SRAM Force have a SUPERSIZED option with BB30 crank & BB technology. 30mm axle + oversized in-frame bearings = a stiffer package than 24mm spindle applications – delivering more power to the pedal at a 20% weight savings. The elegant OS crank profile gives substantially more ankle clearance eliminating heel and ankle contact for floater pedal users. Available in 130BCD Standard and 110BCD Compact crank sets.

brin

[/quote]
I am working on the theory that if I don't use the little ring as much, then when I do, I will get the full benefit from it. ( bit like Nan telling me to take my coat off indoors)[/quote]

You will also get a shock as to how much your cadence will need to increase, which in turn could lead you to being exhausted after a short while, best to find rides that involve using both rings, unless your T/T-ing.

wicked2627

Thanks,

So potentially I could purchase some FSA rings that are smaller (until my fitness is much better).

http://www.ukbikestore.co.uk/product/54/fsa_compact_chainring/fsa-road-compact-110-bcd-chain-ring.html

Will pop to my LBS over the weekend to discuss

Erudin wrote:

Wicked2627 wrote:

Thanks,

Would this involve purchasing a whole new crankset? or could I get 'compact' rings to replace on my existing one?

Don't think so, need different Bolt Circle Diameter cranks.

From: http://www.sram.com/sram/road/products/s900-bb30-crankset

BB30

SRAM RED & 2010 SRAM Force have a SUPERSIZED option with BB30 crank & BB technology. 30mm axle + oversized in-frame bearings = a stiffer package than 24mm spindle applications – delivering more power to the pedal at a 20% weight savings. The elegant OS crank profile gives substantially more ankle clearance eliminating heel and ankle contact for floater pedal users. Available in 130BCD Standard and 110BCD Compact crank sets.

John.T

So potentially I could purchase some FSA rings that are smaller (until my fitness is much better).

No. Your current cranks have a BCD of 130mm and will not take rings smaller than 38 teeth. Compact cranks are 110mm. You will need a new compact crankset to fit a BB30 bottom bracket shell.
It may be cheaper to fit an Apex rear mech and cassette.

wicked2627

John.T wrote:

So potentially I could purchase some FSA rings that are smaller (until my fitness is much better).

No. Your current cranks have a BCD of 130mm and will not take rings smaller than 38 teeth. Compact cranks are 110mm. You will need a new compact crankset to fit a BB30 bottom bracket shell.
It may be cheaper to fit an Apex rear mech and cassette.

Thanks - now the previous comments make sense.

I currently have a Shimano CS-5600 12-25T cassette installed. I can imagine changing it for a 10sp cassette with a larger big ring would make it easier to pedal - why do I also need to change the rear mech too?

John.T

The largest sprocket that a Force rear mech will take is a 28. You can go to that with no trouble. You may need a slightly longer chain depending on how it was set up in the first place. If you want a bigger sprocket then you need one of these cassettes. I would recommend the 12/32 as it gives better normal riding gears.
http://www.sram.com/sram/road/products/sram-pg-1050-cassette
You would need the Apex mech and a longer chain.
http://www.sram.com/sram/road/products/sram-apex-rear-derailleur
Google for suppliers and prices.
I am not sure how well you understand gear ratios but if you put your various options in here you can compare them. You will also see which gears are duplicated on each ring. Any gear that gives the same number whether in 'gear inches' (My prefered scale. Getting on a bit), metres development or gain ratios is the same gear.
http://sheldonbrown.com/gears/
Have a look at the rest of Sheldon's site. Much useful info on it. Worth bookmarking.

wicked2627

John.T wrote:

The largest sprocket that a Force rear mech will take is a 28. You can go to that with no trouble. You may need a slightly longer chain depending on how it was set up in the first place. If you want a bigger sprocket then you need one of these cassettes. I would recommend the 12/32 as it gives better normal riding gears.
http://www.sram.com/sram/road/products/sram-pg-1050-cassette
You would need the Apex mech and a longer chain.
http://www.sram.com/sram/road/products/sram-apex-rear-derailleur
Google for suppliers and prices.
I am not sure how well you understand gear ratios but if you put your varius options in here you can compare them. You will also see which gears are duplicated on each ring. Any gear that gives the same number whether in 'gear inches' (My prefered scale. Getting on a bit), metres development or gain ratios is the same gear.
http://sheldonbrown.com/gears/
Have a look at the rest of Sheldon's site. Much useful info on it. Worth bookmarking.

Cheers John. Just got back from my lbs who said I could get a 25 SRAM Rival cassette but it's only a couple of extra teeth. Now I know I can go up to 28, I shall have a think.

It's not definate and the guy in the shop said there's nothing wrong in stopping if a hill is too difficult - with practice i'll get better. I think I initially wanted to be able to conquer all hills as assumed the gearing would be similar to my mtb but as the bike is half the weight, i'll be zooming about twice as fast.

Just been out and i'm getting faster but have a long way to go.

THanks for all the help guys.

jgsi

You're young, you should be able to breeze a standard double. Man up as they say.
If you aint young, get a compact....if its BB30 , it's even more a doddle to make the change.

[sell me your standard]

DCowling

Monty Dog wrote:

Quote: I was thinking about doing the same ( Boardman Comp) but as I am skint, I now try and ride everywhere in the big ring, to strengthen my legs and keep the little ring for those hills I know I will need it.

...and a good way of b*ggering up your knees/tendons too if a beginner - simply riding the bike more will make you stronger - hauling huge gears within under-developed muscles and tendons is only likely to create inflammatory conditions. If you want to develop an efficient, fluid pedalling style keep to easy gears - otherwise get a fixed gear bike and ride everywhere on 53x16!

[/quote]
I am working on the theory that if I don't use the little ring as much, then when I do, I will get the full benefit from it. ( bit like Nan telling me to take my coat off indoors)[/quote]

You will also get a shock as to how much your cadence will need to increase, which in turn could lead you to being exhausted after a short while, best to find rides that involve using both rings, unless your T/T-ing.



I think I may have made myself sound tougher / dafter than I am, I TRY and avoid use the lower gears so I can have the full benefit of them on the hills. that dosen't mean I succeed. I have only just moved onto a road bike, I started last June and by December I had managed 2k miles but mainly on a full suspension MTB, consequentially, I now have a much better rolling speed but obviously can feel some of the hills, due to the different gearing and am trying to compensate for this.
I think you may have mis-understood me . but thanks for the tips

Lillywhite

DCowling wrote:

I TRY and avoid use the lower gears so I can have the full benefit of them on the hills

The best tip is to aim for a cadence in the range 85-90 rpm.

wicked2627

Just an update...

I have done about 150 miles on the bike and the 12-25 cassette I have it not impossible but is a struggle on some hills.

I purchased a SRAM Force 11-28 with a new SRAM chain too only to find out that only Shimano cassetts will fit onto my hub!

So have just ordered an 11-28 Ultegra and corresponding chain (a shame as I wanted to be totally SRAM)

Now have to see if CRC will refund the SRAM cassette as the LBS put the old cassette into the SRAM box before realising the problem so there is grease all over the box now Otherwise it's on eBay.

Due to the responses, I now understand how the gearing numbers work so thanks!

John.T

What wheels / hubs do you have. Shimano and SRAM cassettes are interchangable on 99% of non Campag hubs. I am pretty sure the SRAM one will fit your wheel. Shimano 10sp use a 1mm washer behind the cassette. SRAM do not need it.

wicked2627

John.T wrote:

What wheels / hubs do you have. Shimano and SRAM cassettes are interchangable on 99% of non Campag hubs. I am pretty sure the SRAM one will fit your wheel. Shimano 10sp use a 1mm washer behind the cassette. SRAM do not need it.

Wheels are Ritchey WCS DS but no markings on the hubs to show what that is.

I was surprised as everything I had read stated that SRAM and Shimano are compatible but there is an extra wide spindle on the freehub so the SRAM won't fit at all. They said I can't change the hub without changing the wheel either.

This is from the Boardman website:
Rims Ritchey WCS 24H rear
Hubs Sealed cartridge bearings

Mark Alexander

Wicked2627 wrote:

Hi,

I'm new to road biking and have got a Boardman Pro Carbon. However, until my fitness gets up, I need a smaller front ring to get up the hills around sheffield

Is it possible for me to change just the rings on my chainset? I currently have a SRAM Force BB30 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sram-force-bb30-double-chainset-2010/ so don't want to change the whole thing.

I have had a search but can't seem to find the answer. I think the SRAM Force shifter will work with triples because it clicks 3 times when shifting between the rings.

Any advice will help. Thanks!

Personally, my first road bike had a tripple 7 years ago. I've never used the granny ring.

Mark Alexander

Wicked2627 wrote:

Hi,

I'm new to road biking and have got a Boardman Pro Carbon. However, until my fitness gets up, I need a smaller front ring to get up the hills around sheffield

Is it possible for me to change just the rings on my chainset? I currently have a SRAM Force BB30 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sram-force-bb30-double-chainset-2010/ so don't want to change the whole thing.

I have had a search but can't seem to find the answer. I think the SRAM Force shifter will work with triples because it clicks 3 times when shifting between the rings.

Any advice will help. Thanks!

Personally, my first road bike had a tripple 7 years ago. I've never used the granny ring.

Mark Alexander

Wicked2627 wrote:

Hi,

I'm new to road biking and have got a Boardman Pro Carbon. However, until my fitness gets up, I need a smaller front ring to get up the hills around sheffield

Is it possible for me to change just the rings on my chainset? I currently have a SRAM Force BB30 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sram-force-bb30-double-chainset-2010/ so don't want to change the whole thing.

I have had a search but can't seem to find the answer. I think the SRAM Force shifter will work with triples because it clicks 3 times when shifting between the rings.

Any advice will help. Thanks!

Personally, my first road bike had a tripple 7 years ago. I've never used the granny ring.

Essex Man

Nice to see all the machismo bs this sort of thread brings to the surface every time :roll:

John.T

Mark Alexander wrote:

Wicked2627 wrote:

Hi,

I'm new to road biking and have got a Boardman Pro Carbon. However, until my fitness gets up, I need a smaller front ring to get up the hills around sheffield

Is it possible for me to change just the rings on my chainset? I currently have a SRAM Force BB30 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sram-force-bb30-double-chainset-2010/ so don't want to change the whole thing.

I have had a search but can't seem to find the answer. I think the SRAM Force shifter will work with triples because it clicks 3 times when shifting between the rings.

Any advice will help. Thanks!

Personally, my first road bike had a tripple 7 years ago. I've never used the granny ring.

Good for you. Good for you. Good for you.
No help to the OP though.