CX Crank vs Triple - Much Hill Climbing Difference?

u33db

Hello,

A couple of years ago i bought a Carrera Virtuoso from Halfords but for various reasons i couldn't get on with the drop bars so converted it to a flat bar.

Since it already had a Claris rear mech i fitted the full Claris groupset with the CX 46-34 crank they do.

Now its great for most roads but we have some really step hills near me so i've had thoughts of swapping to the 50-39-30 triple crank option they do.

Given the approx £150 cost to do the conversion will there actually be much improvement going triple vs the CX double crank i have?

I already have a 11-34 megarange cassette so have exhausted rear gear options.

Thoughts please

fat daddy

34:34 compared to 30:34 is a massive difference, you WILL notice that

keef66

Interestingly I have a 46/36 cx crank on my winter bike and a 50/39/30 triple on the summer one. 12-27 cassette on each. I do notice the extra gears at both extremes with the triple on the few occasions they are useful, but 99% of the time there's no difference. Gently undulating where I live in Suffolk though; I can get away with staying in the 39 ring most of the time. Lots more front shifting with the cx

kirkee

If in doubt triple out....!
I run a 9 spd deore 48 36 26mtb crank set with 8 spd claris flat bar. This set up would offer a bigger overall range with only a slight loss at top end than the larger ratio road triple you mentioned.

imatfaal

Pick up an XT long cage rear mech and a cheap shimano 10 speed shifter and chain (Canyon doing this for around 60 quid for both - but ebay is great for this if you can spend time looking) - a long range XT rear derailleur has a capacity of 41 or 43 (cannot remember) - you have 12 difference at the front which would allow for about 30 difference (at least) at the back. Then pick up a 11-40 . You still have top end 46-11for the downhills but you have 34-40 for any up hill slopes. You then do not need to mess around with changing front mech, front shifter, crankset and all the grief of changed chain lines etc

u33db

Hi,

Thanks for the replies.

I've had a good think over the past few days and decided to have shopping spree on the internet last night so have the following coming;

- Claris Triple 50-39-30.
- Claris Triple front mech.
- Claris Triple flat bar shifter.
- Claris rear mech LONG cage.
- Octalink 121mm BB to suit triple crank.

I also have an 11-32 and 11-34 so this should give me all the hill ability i need, and enough for the flat too.

Total cost was about 140 but i'll be able to ebay my 34-46 crank, front double mech, rear short mech and double shifters which should bring the price down to 75ish i think.