Can you add a 3rd front sprocket to Carrera TDF?
kbmack
Posts: 73
Hi. I am new to road cycling and am loving it! I have a Carrera TDF which is excellent for my purposes so far but was wondering whether it's technically possible to add a third sprocket to the front? If so, what would need to happen and what sorts of rough costs are involved? Is this is a standard job for a bike mechanic? The gearing is Shimano 2300 on the front and back.
Many thanks in advance and happy cycling!
Many thanks in advance and happy cycling!
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Comments
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Hi. Glad you're enjoying your ride. Changing to a triple front is not really economically viable. You would need a new left shifter, chainset, front derailleur and rear derailleur. Possibly also need a new bottom bracket. I'd say there's at least £200 in parts alone and there's quite a bit of work involved (cables, handlebar tape etc).
If you are finding that your lowest gears are not low enough, you could consider changing front chainset to a compact (50/34) - I believe yours is a standard (52/39) and/or changing the cassette at the rear to an 11-28 or 12-28. (I'm not sure what you have).
For example, you can get a SRAM PG-830 11-32 8 speed cassette for around £15-20. You can also pick up a Shimano 2350 compact chainset for around £30. If you already have a square taper bottom bracket then you won't need any other parts, just some adjustments to front derailleur height and tweaking the indexing, and possibly shortening the chain. It's fairly easy to do this yourself if you have the tools (chain whip, cassette lockring tool, chain rivit tool, crank extractor, pedal spanner etc), if not your LBS could do both for a reasonable fee (I don't know exactly but would guess around £25-40).0 -
Thanks for the generous advice and time taken. It's much appreciated!0
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I would go for the larger cassette and the compact chainsette as suggested. You would probably need a long cage rear mech for a cassette above 29, and mtb one would do (I fitted an 11-34 with an SLX rear mech to g/f's road bike).0
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Yes, you'll need a longer RD if you go above 28 on the rear. I made a typo when I said 11-32. 11-28 and 50-34 with your Shimano 2300 will work fine and give you a nice range and a low gear that should get up most hills.0
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Many thanks again guys-that is tremendous. It gives me a bit of knowhow before I walk into a shop. With permission, I may even show them your advice, if that's ok?0
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If you've just started cycling I would hang fire. I started about about 3 months ago and really struggled up even mild lumps, but stick at it and you'll soon be whirring up hills.
There is plenty of other cycling stuff to spend your cash on0 -
Thanks Garry, will consider that. I guess with these big sprockets at the front I'll get fitter and a bit better!0
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Yup. MTFU (or HTFU) is always an option (man or harden the f**k up in case you don't know), but I've never regretted going to a compact.
Certainly you may show my advice to your LBS, but be aware that the prices I quoted are the among the best you can find on the internet so your LBS might be quite a bit more expensive. Shops like Evans will price match internet sites that have stock if you print off your shopping cart and show it to them. I think it's worth supporting your LBS if they are good, but let them know you can get the stuff a lot cheaper if you're not getting a good deal.0 -
if you do wish to put a triple on the front your current shifter will work fine as its a triple just adjusted to suit a double, you would new a new crankset, bb and longer chain.
as most people said here, its cheaper to change your cassette thou0 -
Many thanks for the advice everyone. I am impressed with the level of know-how here!!
Off to do a fifty miler.
Then ten pints.0
