gadgetmind
New Member
I started 'bent riding a few years ago on a HPV Spirit, but last year bought a HPV Grasshopper FX and sold the Spirit. I've done about 1200 miles on the 'hopper, and am generally happy with it, but I'm often finding need for lower gearing. I'm not sure what my bottom gear is - I've got the standard sram dual driver 3x8 with what looks like a 46 tooth front chainwheel. Any ideas?
Anyway, I've recently climbed both Holme Moss in Derbyshire (steady but long) and Fleet Moss in the Yorkshire Dales (high and brutal) and both needed much more pushing than my knees can sustainable take. I tried putting a 39 tooth chainwheel on the front, but 1) The chain skipped like crazy so is obviously stretched, 2) The chain guides/guards either side of the chainwheel wouldn't fit the smaller one as the chain dropped in too deeply.
Bikefix have quoted me for new cassette, chain, chain tubes and front chainwheel, but they're trying to steer me towards a full 38 tooth chainset with 155mm cranks. I have read about shorter cranks, but I'm six foot tall with 34" inside leg, and have the leg muscles of a tyrannosaurus (and matching weedy arms, but let's not go there) and am not sure it's for me. Is 155mm worth a go or should I wait for them to get a 170mm chainset in stock?
Oh, and are the chain guides available anywhere else? Buying a new chainset when all I need is chainwheel and guides seems OTT.
All feedback welcome!
Anyway, I've recently climbed both Holme Moss in Derbyshire (steady but long) and Fleet Moss in the Yorkshire Dales (high and brutal) and both needed much more pushing than my knees can sustainable take. I tried putting a 39 tooth chainwheel on the front, but 1) The chain skipped like crazy so is obviously stretched, 2) The chain guides/guards either side of the chainwheel wouldn't fit the smaller one as the chain dropped in too deeply.
Bikefix have quoted me for new cassette, chain, chain tubes and front chainwheel, but they're trying to steer me towards a full 38 tooth chainset with 155mm cranks. I have read about shorter cranks, but I'm six foot tall with 34" inside leg, and have the leg muscles of a tyrannosaurus (and matching weedy arms, but let's not go there) and am not sure it's for me. Is 155mm worth a go or should I wait for them to get a 170mm chainset in stock?
Oh, and are the chain guides available anywhere else? Buying a new chainset when all I need is chainwheel and guides seems OTT.
All feedback welcome!