Changing Triple to Compact..

[Boon 51]

On my Bad Boy 2 I have a 42/32/26 with a 11-34T rear cassette (Shimano) fitted as OE, so would it be too difficult to change to a 50/34 compact and a 11-36T cassette (105)
What do you reckon?

 

[Hacienda71]

Not that hard, but be sure you want/need to do it. I have both setups and my triple although not as aesthetically clean has merits over the compact.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

having gone from standard double to triple, my advice is to price up whats required for the conversion, and then see if a complete groupset is cheaper (it was for me, ribble cycles are one of the few places that sell them).

aside from the new cassette, chain and crankset, you'll also need a new front mechanism, a long-arm rear mechanism and a new left-hand double shifter. oh, and a new bottom bracket. a full groupset will include all of that, plus brake callipers and all the cabling, and, imho, a bike with a full groupset looks better than one with a mix of components.

that will be pricey and i can't think of a good reason to spend that sort of money going from triple to compact (or vice versa) as i don't think you'll be getting any great improvement in performance.

with your current set-up, you can up the gearing (faster at the top end) or lower it (easier on the hills) by changing the chainrings on the crank (or changing the crank, as long as its another triple) or by replacing the cassette.

 

[ColinJ]

Yes, I think modifying the current setup would be better than replacing it. I would put bigger rings on as the old ones wear out, assuming that the front derailleur will cope.

 

[Boon 51]

Thanks for the replies and this is where I am at the moment?

The problem is I bought the Bad Boy 2 from Evans in the UK and the advert said the bike was fitted with a 48/32/26 triple, in the shop I didn't check this and just assumed the advert was correct.

I fetched the bike back to Spain in my estate car and not till I was cleaning it after a ride I checked the numbers and found out the triple was in fact a 42/32/26.
Now to far away to do anything about it apart from change things my self, hence the post..

The 42 big cog is the problem for me on the down hill and straights I really need a 48..
So if I live the the triple but change the big cog to a 48 and the cassette to a 11-36 how does that sound and would that be easier to do?

 

[ColinJ]

The trouble with that selection of rings would be the huge step from 32 to 48.

As for the change of cassette ... I know that you have proper mountains down there, but do you really need a 26/36 bottom gear?

 

[Boon 51]

The trouble with that selection of rings would be the huge step from 32 to 48.

As for the change of cassette ... I know that you have proper mountains down there, but do you really need a 26/36 bottom gear?

Hi Colin..

The answer to your last question is no.. I do have a Specialized Crosstrail Comp that has 48/32 front and a 11/36 cassette and to be honest that is just about perfect for me and I was trying to get near the same on my Bad Boy 2.. a 32/36 would be fine?

The Bad Boy has an 11/34 cassette with 42/32/26 front if I changed the 42 for a 48 and the rear cassette from an 11/34 to a 11/36 I wouldn't use the tiny cog which leads me back to the start.
I've just been looking at a Shimano Deore LX 48/36/26 but I would gain on the 48 but lose on the 36 middle..
I have seen a Shimano XTR M 985 with 44/30 which is stuck somewhere in the middle but has mtb fittings..
I did see as well a 48T big cog but at £15 ish seems a bit too cheap.

Cheers
Paul..

 

[ColinJ]

I've just been looking at a Shimano Deore LX 48/36/26 but I would gain on the 48 but lose on the 36 middle..

That sounds like a good setup to me! I have a 52/39/26 on my Basso and find the 39 a bit much on some local hills, but the step down to the 26*** is too big.

A 36 could be a useful middle ring when you are on undulating terrain, with the 26 for steep climbs, and the 48 for when you wanted to go fast.


(*** I put my 26 on when I got really fat but I have lost a lot of weight since then. I will probably go back to a 30 tooth little ring when I get fit again.)

 

[Boon 51]

That sounds like a good setup to me! I have a 52/39/26 on my Basso and find the 39 a bit much on some local hills, but the step down to the 26*** is too big.

A 36 could be a useful middle ring when you are on undulating terrain, with the 26 for steep climbs, and the 48 for when you wanted to go fast.


(*** I put my 26 on when I got really fat but I have lost a lot of weight since then. I will probably go back to a 30 tooth little ring when I get fit again.)

Thats got me thinking a bit..
I would never think of using small cogs on cassette while using the 26 front.
Interesting.

 

[ColinJ]

Thats got me thinking a bit..
I would never think of using small cogs on cassette while using the 26 front.
Interesting.

I do occasionally use biggish sprockets with the big ring, and smallish ones with the little ring, but try to avoid the last couple each way because the chain angle is a bit extreme.

With the middle ring, I use the whole cassette but will only use the extremes for a short distance. If I need to be on the big sprocket for long, I would drop down to the little ring, and similarly would change up to the big ring rather than spend too long at the small end of the cassette in the middle ring.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Didn't think you could get a 105 cassette in 11-36?

 

[Boon 51]

I do occasionally use biggish sprockets with the big ring, and smallish ones with the little ring, but try to avoid the last couple each way because the chain angle is a bit extreme.

With the middle ring, I use the whole cassette but will only use the extremes for a short distance. If I need to be on the big sprocket for long, I would drop down to the little ring, and similarly would change up to the big ring rather than spend too long at the small end of the cassette in the middle ring.

I suppose I've come a long way in the last 6 month's as I couldn't get up a Cat 4 hill without a struggle and a Cat 3 was a no, no
I've changed my bike for one with better gears and with the help of better fitness I can now do a Cat 3 on my second cog which is a 32 on my cassette still having the 36 left but of course my next target is Cat 2 and Cat 1...

But with that comes the need for better down hill and flat speeds to put my average up.
Anyways cheers Colin..

 

[Boon 51]

Didn't think you could get a 105 cassette in 11-36?

Not sure on that one mate..
I might have to change my plans a little or buy another bike and SHMBO will be well happy.. (not) she say's I cant ride three bikes at one time now