CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

2x10 gearing

(34 posts)
  • Started 7 years ago by LivM
  • Latest reply from wingpig
  • This topic is not resolved

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12

  1. LivM
    Member

    3 years ago I made an expensive mistake and bought a Revolution Cross Pro. Lovely bike, except that the gearing is for a much fitter person. I can't get up hills with 2x10 gears, so it's pretty much gathered dust in the garage for 3 years. (Also not helped by me getting pregnant about the same time I bought it, so it's only done 100 miles or so total).

    Can I convert a 2x10 bike to 3x something? Or any other advice on making it usable for a weakling?

    If not, where is best to sell a nice bike for a good price?

    Posted 7 years ago #

  2. chdot
    Admin

    "Can I convert a 2x10 bike to 3x something? Or any other advice on making it usable for a weakling?"

    Is it this (or similar)?

    http://www.thebikelist.co.uk/revolution/cross-pro--2012

    Cyclocross Double 46-36

    Shimano Tiagra 4600 Series, 10 Speed, 12-28t

    If so, you could replace the 36 with a 34 or 33

    New cassette with 30t would probably work with rear mech.

    A triple would mean a whole new chainset and probably different bottom bracket.

    Would also need triple brake/gear lever.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  3. hunnymonster
    Member

    Going 2x to 3x almost certainly requires a new front derailleur and definitely a new shifter... Alternatively fit a smaller set of chainrings on the front (there's a new FSA supercompact set which I think is 32 tooth on the small ring) and/or bigger on the rear (but then you have to pay attention to the maximum capacity of your rear derailleur)

    So what do you have on the front just now? 53/39, 52/36, 50/34?
    And what's on the rear? 11-25?

    I'm currently spectacularly unfit and rubbing along with 46/36 & 11-32 - though when I regain some fitness I'll probably swap back to 50/34 on the front.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  4. gembo
    Member

    Bicycle parts for sale Scotland plague me continually on Facebook with kit for sale. Given that the cost of conversion will be high. Alternatively someone on here might swap you a 3x?

    My Tricross is very old so not I think a fair swap, if your revolution cross has good disc brakes? Also I am a bit of a weakling and find the granny gets an outing though probably never been changed or maybe once whereas the other two have been changed, mostly the middle one of course.

    Someone more technical might give you a wider range on the 2x thought that would also involve changing but maybe not the shifter?

    Posted 7 years ago #

  5. DaveC
    Member

    Yeah, what make and model of front crank do you have? I have a triple I can let you have with bottom bracket. If you need a new BB, say for instance for size of mine is wrong, they only cost a tenner from Spa Cycles.

    I could even do the swap if you wanted. It depends on what crank you have. I have a Stonglight Impact crank with 28/38/48, a Bottom bracket and shifter. You'd just need a left STI for a triple, which I may also have in a drawer.

    (basically I had a CX 9 speed Sora which when I sore out the BB, I changed from 2x9 to 3x9 with the Stronglight, + BB & new Shifter. I could just do a stright swap? Depends on what spec you want, Shifters are thumb release not behind the brake leaver. You can buy new leavers to give you a triple for around £110 online.)

    Dave C

    Posted 7 years ago #

  6. LivM
    Member

    Thank you for advice! It's actually this one with disc brakes (cable) https://issuu.com/edinburghbicycle/docs/spring_summer_catalogue_2013/11 far right top corner. I will venture out to the garage after dinner to look at the spec but I'm a novice wih regards to changing things.
    @DaveC your offer might well be something I take up...

    Posted 7 years ago #

  7. LivM
    Member

    Ok looks like FSA (full speed ahead) crank and front cassette, 46/36T
    Rear is (I think) 11-28t but it's hard to read. Shimano Tiagra derailleur and shifters.

    I need a granny gear. Particularly to get up the Ravelston Ramp from NEPN, which I struggle with at the best of times let alone unfit and wihout a granny ring.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  8. gembo
    Member

    @livD go back to garage if you can be fagged and count the teeth on the back cog the wee one will hopefully have 11 teeth and the biggest one 28 teeth.?

    Posted 7 years ago #

  9. LivM
    Member

    I counted 11 on the small cog and pretty sure that the biggest cog had 28t printed on it. The second largest looked like 23 but the biggest was slightly fuzzy.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  10. gembo
    Member

    Sounds like 11-28 then to me. So if I am right (not great with cogs) the set up was at the tough end of 2x. Some 2x have a wider range and indeed the new 2x11 must also be a bit easier I guess.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  11. Frenchy
    Member

    Sorry to highjack the thread, but is there a way (other than trial and error) of figuring out which chainrings and cassettes are going to work? I apparently have me the lowest range cassette that will work with my chainrings on my road bike - and I'm wondering how this was worked out. Not because I don't believe it, but because I'm curious, and might want to repeat the trick on other bikes.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  12. ih
    Member

    @LivD I point you the following forum which I found at random. The questioner seems to have a similar problem to you, with the same combination of cog sizes.

    http://ridinggravel.forumchitchat.com/post/larger-cassette-or-smaller-front-chain-ring-8039042

    A popular response (and I think a very good value one) is to increase your rear cassette from 11-28 to 11-32. Someone replies that it makes an amazing difference. You would need to check your chain is long enough (or get a new one - not expensive) and check the rear derailleur can cope with the additional ratio. Local bike shop should be able to advise.

    On the Ravelston ramp - don't beat yourself up for not riding up that. It's a b… Steep, narrow and tree root covered. I wouldn't try to ride up it.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  13. chdot
    Admin

    "I apparently have me the lowest range cassette that will work with my chainrings on my road bike"

    That's (generally) to do with the capacity of the rear mech to tension the chain. Longer cages can do more.

    Design of mech also affects largest cog size that can used on cassette.

    Random google, don't guarantee it's the best explanation -

    https://bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/7264/how-to-calculate-the-capacity-of-a-rear-derailleur

    Posted 7 years ago #

  14. LivM
    Member

    @ih thank you for your kind comments on the Ravelston Ramp! My dear husband does it without a second thought and I feel like I'm trying to cycle uphill through treacle!

    Posted 7 years ago #

  15. LivM
    Member

    @ih also that forum info is good. I feel better briefed on the subject now to have a chat with LBS.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  16. chdot
    Admin

    "I feel like I'm trying to cycle uphill through treacle!"

    Don't know about the treacle, but it's a bit better than it once was. The worst bit with the tree roots was 'treated' a while ago.

    Still as steep overall though!

    Can't figure why no-one has got CEC to remove the ridiculous amount of ironwork turning right to Craigleith View.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  17. ih
    Member

    "I feel better briefed on the subject now to have a chat with LBS."

    Great plan!

    Posted 7 years ago #

  18. Frenchy
    Member

    @chdot

    Thanks, that's very useful!

    Posted 7 years ago #

  19. GDR
    Member

    I am also challenged when it comes to going uphill. On a couple of my bikes I have Sugino OX601D crank sets. These are doubles but you can put something like a 46 big ring and a 30 inner. Downside is they are quite expensive at c£209 from Hubjub. On another bike with a compact crankset (50x34) I use a Wolftooth road link. It's only about £24. It fits onto your rear hanger and by dropping the rear mech allows you to fit a much bigger cassette. I use an 11-36 which allows me to get up a cliff face! It's dead easy to fit and works smoothly with my Shimano group set. I think I got it from Sigma Sport.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  20. Darkerside
    Member

    Not a suggested solution, but I saw the latest SRAM XX1 cassette over the weekend. 10-50.

    https://www.sram.com/sram/mountain/products/xg-1299-eagle-cassette#sm.001ihjwyo1047f03sev2mohkbbfru

    I thought my 10-42 was impressive, but that's obscene. You could lose a badger in the gaps between the ratios, but still...

    Posted 7 years ago #

  21. Frenchy
    Member

    You'd just about be going backwards with a cog that big =/

    Posted 7 years ago #

  22. ivangrozni
    Member

    "You'd just about be going backwards with a cog that big =/"

    Going backwards financially more than likely too - those SRAM cassettes cost a small fortune!

    Sugino XD2 chainsets are an affordable option if you're changing to triple - with the advantage that you can get the granniest of granny rings (the BCD is quite small from memory -good for touring as well as going up cliffs). I think the Stronglight DaveC mentioned is from the same mould or casting.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  23. chdot
    Admin

    "Not a suggested solution"

    You did notice the price(?)

    Posted 7 years ago #

  24. Chug
    Member

    Hi livd. I have pretty much the same bike and had a similar issue - I wanted to degear it to tow offspring. Hannah at the cycleservice shop swapped the 36 ring for a 34 and it's been great for me. I reckon it gave me two extra gears below the original range. No need to change shifters etc.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  25. Dave
    Member

    Start by getting a 33t 110 BCD chainring, it should be a straight swap. At the moment you have to ride at ~6mph at 60rpm, with the new ring it will drop to ~5.5mph so you should definitely feel it.

    Then if you take a look at the rear derailleur on your bike, specifically the length of the part that has the two cogs on it, does it look like this (short cage) or like this (long cage)?

    It's hard to tell from the catalog pic but I'd suspect and hope for the latter. If so it should take an 11-32t cassette with no other modification. You should be able to get one for £25 delivered from wherever.

    That will let you ride slower still (~0.8mph slower @ 60rpm).

    You'll want a new chain anyway because probably the existing one has worn a bit since 2013 - but needless to say you need a few more links.

    It's not hard to do. Probably one of the easier DIY jobs IMO.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  26. fimm
    Member

    That Ravelston ramp is evil. I go that way with the Brompton and always push up it - and I would describe myself as reasonably fit. I've never tried to get the road bike up there - I guess I could probably manage the slope but the slope with the roots would defeat me.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  27. LivM
    Member

    @dave not sure if this link will work, but this is a pic I took yesterday (can't get out to the garage this evening as son is asleep and I'm home alone) - I think it looks like a long cage... One drive

    Posted 7 years ago #

  28. gembo
    Member

    @livD looks a wee bit short for a long hanger? Nice bike though.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  29. davey2wheels
    Member

    @LivD Shimano tech doc here:
    TIAGRA Rear Derailleur (10-speed)
    Long hanger appears to have a teardrop shaped cutout at the bottom of the inner plate reach. Compare to yours.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  30. LivM
    Member

    Hmm, proportions look more like the short arm one there. Ho hum.

    Posted 7 years ago #

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