Changing my drive train

oscari

At present I have a specialized rockhopper 2011(love it) but I find the lower gears are not used.Even when on the small chainring and the largest sprocket there is a noticeable angle on the chain,the same on the largest chainring and the smallest sprocket.In view of this I fancy changing to a 2 X 9 or 2 X 10 drive train.
Can this be done and what kit would you recommend,price is not a problem but I would like the new kit to be in keeping with the cost and value of the rest of the bike.

If it can't be done using mid priced parts what new bike would you recommend along the lines I'm after,I ride mostly on tarmac and intermediate trails so I'm not looking for full suspension.
Cheers

nicklouse

soory you are going to have to explain what you mean.

as changing to a 2X9 (or 2X10) will not "fix" your perceived problem.

when describing the cogs are you using physical size or gear size?

Even when on the small chainring and the largest sprocket

so here I take it you mean the granny ring.22T and the big cog 32T? going to a 2X anything will make the angle worse.

the same on the largest chainring and the smallest sprocket.

so 44T - 11T going to a 2X any will not change the angle.

oscari

I'll try again.

when I'm on the granny ring and the 34t sprocket there is a noticeable angle on the chain from where it leaves the 34t sprocket and again where it joins the granny ring.The same on the larger chainring and the 11t sprocket.

I was thinking that if I could use a 2 X 9 or 2 X 10 gear set ,this would move the crankset closer to the BB and therefore create less of an angle on the chain.

bear in mind I come from a road racing background 35 years ago when we only had a 2 X 6 set up(if you were rich enough) and chains just wouldn't go through the angles I see today for long before either snapping or seizeing.

Maybe the chains are up to the job these days and I'm a bit more stuck in the mud than I realise.

njee20

Think about what you're saying though...

That's effectively the 2 'straightest' combinations, and you're saying the angles aren't good? Going to a double won't rectify the problem, it'll make it worse if anything. Small/small and big/big will have the chain at a nasty angle, but not the combinations you mention.

It's not a problem though, so unless you have a big issue with your current selection of gears and want to change I'd just stick with what you have. If you do want to go for a double I'd do so using your current parts and just get new chainrings of a size to suit. TA Chinook rings are nice, I liked 28/40, found the 28 more usable than a 22 ever was, ditto the 40 vs a 44. However, if you do 95% of your riding in the middle ring you won't have an equivalent and may find yourself shifting between the 2 constantly.

Think carefully about what you want to achieve and what's wrong with what you have.

cooldad

From you Routes post, now that you are going to be throwing yourself down the trails at Afan, I would stick with what you have and see how it goes. You will grow to love granny.