Crankset explanation

[steveindenmark]

I know this is probably obvious to everyone but at 52 and I am new to cycling and useless at math but would like someone to explain cranksets to me.

I am looking at buying a bike and the stock crankset is 52/42/30. The upgrade is 48/46/26.

The area I live in is quite hilly, more hills than flat and I am more interested in getting up the hills than burning along the flat.

So I have 2 questions and the first is which would be the better crankset for me?

The second question is does anyone know of a site on the internet which can explain the math regarding cranksets. I have looked but cannot find one.

I would appreciate your help.

Steve

 

[spandex]

Sheldon Brown is the god and will tell you all

As for which one is depending on how fast you are, how steep the hills are and how fit you are. Sorry that is the best I can do with out seeing you and where you live.

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Hi Steve,

It is difficult to recommend a specific crankset without knowing more about your level of fitness, type of bike and terrain on which you will be riding, but sticking my neck out, I would say that unless you intend to carry heavy loads, then 52/42/30 should be fine.

To get a detailed explanation of gearing, have a look here.

 

[John the Monkey]

Depends on the cassette (rear cogs) on the bike, but the first choice seems overgeared, and the second under, to me (unless your hills are VERY large, or you're hauling a lot of luggage).

My triples are 50/39/30 (Tiagra, and a Truvativ Touro with FSA rings) paired with 12-25 (on the "racer") and 14-25 (on the tourer) cassettes.

Sheldon Brown's gear calculator maybe of use;
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/

 

[Manonabike]

It seems to me the stock crankset would be OK and the upgrade you would probably take advantage of the granny ring for a little while but when you get a little fitter you would not use it very much at all. I think you would be better off with 30t ring in the long run.

I don't know of any website that explains gears but this site might interest you Gear Calculator

 

[steveindenmark]

I should have pointed out that the bike is a recumbent, a Nazca Feugo. I am quite fit and live on the East coast of Jyland, Denmark.

Contrary to popular belief, my area of Denmark is not flat, it is rolling.

I will be carrying luggage on occasions but only up to 20kg. The stock rear cassette is a Shimano 12-25 9 speed and the upgrade is a Shimano XT M770 11-32 9 speed.

Does that help any?

Steve

 

[Gerry Attrick]

My choice would be to stay with the original chainset, but go with the 11-32 cassette. I have almost the same on my trike and on a recent 1:6 hill had no need of the granny ring.

I think you would rapidly run out of gears on a downhill with the alternative chainset.

 

[betty swollocks]

agree with Gerry - just go for the greater range cassette.
BUT, ensure that your rear derailleur can manage that extra range. What mech is it?