Building a triple chainring

[Reynard]

Finding a replacement triple for my junior MTB bike build is proving... challenging. Especially when on a limited budget. There's not much out there for square taper and cranks of 165mm or less that isn't going to cost me an arm and a leg. Spa do a very nice touring triple, having said that, but as it completely kiboshes what's left of my budget for the build, it really is a last resort.

Anyways, I have an idea...

In my parts box, I have a pair of FSA Vero cranks and 46T 130 BCD five bolt outer chainring that were OEM on my Wiggins Chartres. The right crank bolts directly onto the 46T ring.

I'm looking to end up with something along the lines of 46-34-22 to partner an 11-32 8 speed cassette. So obviously I'll need a middle and inner ring, bolts and something to join all three rings together.

Does the CC collective brain think it is feasible to build a custom triple using the above as the bare bones, and if so, what specific parts and gubbins will I need to complete the job.

 

[Ian H]

You might be better with this option https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m8b0s109p2000/SPA-CYCLES-XD-2-Touring-Triple-Chainset
They are often helpful with custom rings if you phone.

 

[ColinJ]

You might be better with this option https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m8b0s109p2000/SPA-CYCLES-XD-2-Touring-Triple-Chainset
They are often helpful with custom rings if you phone.

I was going to suggest THIS ONE, which is available with short cranks and 46/34/24 rings but it costs £20 more (£58).

Very nice though - I fitted a longer-cranked, bigger-ringed version to my CAAD5.

 

[Reynard]

Hmm...

If only they did them in black...

Thing is, I set myself a £200 budget for the project - which includes the £25 for the bike. Virtually everything has needed replacing other than the frame, forks, stem and brake calipers. I wasn't counting on so many components being totally fubared.

I may have to re-think the budget. Or something.

I have already spent £143 on the project and still need bars, seatpost and cassette.

 

[bikingdad90]

Have you had a look on Tredz? Last time I looked they had loads of triple chainsets?

This tourney one is £47.99 and comes in 165
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Shimano-FC-A073-Square-Taper-Triple-Chainset-7-8-Speed_108852.htm

Also available at Decathlon for £24.99 but you will need to order and pickup in store as it’s workshop stock https://www.decathlon.co.uk/tourney-50-34-chainset-id_8538541.html

Or this one from Decathlon, it’s a bargain £12.99 but 170mm cranks and not exactly the gear ratios you wanted? https://www.decathlon.co.uk/8s-170mm-48-38-28-chainset-id_8523740.html

 

[Reynard]

Have you had a look on Tredz? Last time I looked they had loads of triple chainsets?

This tourney one is £47.99 and comes in 165
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Shimano-FC-A073-Square-Taper-Triple-Chainset-7-8-Speed_108852.htm

Or this one from Decathlon, it’s a bargain £12.99 but 170mm cranks and not exactly the gear ratios you wanted? https://www.decathlon.co.uk/8s-170mm-48-38-28-chainset-id_8523740.html

Yeah, I have. The Tourney one is out of stock BTW.

If I didn't have to worry about crank length, I'd have no problem. The original cranks on the bike are 152mm. The FSA ones are 165, and clearances are tight. I definitely wouldn't be able to fit longer cranks on it without the ends bashing into things.

It's a right PITA because I can either have the crank length or the ratios within budget(ish), but not both.

The perils of needing smaller frames and components. You would think with so many kids bikes being sold, that there would be a market for spares. Obviously not...

 

[bikingdad90]

Is single speed 1x set up an option? There are loads on Decathlon for £5-£20?

 

[Reynard]

I'm not ruling anything out right now, but given the bits I already have, I'd rather not go down that road if I can help it.

 

[Reynard]

I burnt a fair bit of midnight oil last night looking at options.

Yes, I can do the build, but bottom line is, unless I use either very cheap or very tatty components off the Bay of E, it's simply not financially viable. I don't have all the fixtures and fittings needed, and at 130 / 74 BCD there's not a great deal of choice. And so the sum of the parts comes to far more than the cost of buying something off the shelf.

It was a good idea and worthwhile exploring, but unless you have a comprehensive parts collection to dip in to, it's pretty well much a non-starter.