Author Topic: Double chaninsets for touring- what are the cool kids using?  (Read 8504 times)

Hello,

You'll  be delighted to learn that I am having a new  light tourer frame  built. 

I now  need to choose the gears  for it

So what's every one using now?  The bike won't be carrying lots of  luggage so a  triple is unnecessary.  So , other than  a  50/34.what combinations  of chain rings are people using these days?

 It needs low gears as it will be ridden  occasionally on the Isle of Wight  and which means having to get in and out of Ventnor.

This probably means  a  48 or a 46 outer   but how low for  the inner?

Assume   Shimano, that it's going to have an 12- 32 cassette (9 0r 10 speed),  the use of  DT friction shifters, mudguards,, and a saddle bag. Think Rough Stuff Fellowship...

Your comments and advice are welcome
 

Cudzoziemiec

  • Ride adventurously and stop for a brew.
Re: Double chaninsets for touring- what are the cool kids using?
« Reply #1 on: 29 June, 2020, 03:04:31 pm »
I've got a 46-30 with 12-36 9-speed, but that's with a lot more than just a saddlebag.

I'm not sure about the cool kids, they don't usually hang out here.
Riding a concrete path through the nebulous and chaotic future.

Re: Double chaninsets for touring- what are the cool kids using?
« Reply #2 on: 29 June, 2020, 03:18:58 pm »
We just got new builds (been building them up this weekend as it happens) They are tour orientated, albeit for heavier load perhaps than you mention. (4 panniers)  We are getting a bit older too so we have moved from 50/34 & 34/11 cassette to  42/26 & 36/11 figuring that should see us into old age and Ebike territory or dominos
I mulled over having a 44 or 46 up front, but in the end went with easier load carrying on hills over speed.
often lost.

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Double chaninsets for touring- what are the cool kids using?
« Reply #3 on: 29 June, 2020, 03:31:05 pm »
HK has a SunXCD 46/30t square taper crankset and Shimano 11-34t cassette on her Kinesis Tripster AT. The cranks splay slightly for ankle and front derailleur clearance but not by as much as some other cranks. Most front mechs are rated to 16t difference.

Apparently HK is the only one to ever break a LH crank and we would buy this model again.

https://www.veloduo.co.uk/collections/sunxcd/products/sunxcd-rene-herse-style-double-chainset
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Double chaninsets for touring- what are the cool kids using?
« Reply #4 on: 29 June, 2020, 03:33:22 pm »
I am running a 28-38 on the front, and a 11-40 on the back. It covers everything I need. I only ever hit the 38/11 gear if I'm doing well over 30kph, and that is very rare. I've yet to spin it out.

This is using Shimano Deore 11 speed.

Before that I had Shimano Deore 10 speed front mech, with a 40/28 chainset, and a 34-11 at the back. I felt this wasn't low enough. I never managed to spin it out on anything other than downhill...

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

Re: Double chaninsets for touring- what are the cool kids using?
« Reply #5 on: 29 June, 2020, 03:45:28 pm »
On my newbuild I'm running a 46-34 at the front with 11-32 11-speed at the back. Somewhat unusual, but there is logic to it:

1. 11-speed cassettes all seem to come with an 11 tooth sprocket. This gives me a 113 inch top gear, which is as high as I will ever need (actually I could probably got away with a 44 ring, but it wouldn't fit on my crankset).
2. Bottom gear (28.7") will get me up everything I am likely to come across.
3. I don't like the large difference between the chainrings on a 50-34, it means all sorts of faffing around with gear changes. The smaller gap makes for a much better front change.

Re: Double chaninsets for touring- what are the cool kids using?
« Reply #6 on: 29 June, 2020, 03:48:33 pm »
On my British Eagle Touristique I have this:

https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m2b0s109p2016/SPA-CYCLES-TD-2-Touring-Double-Chainset-with-custom-TA-chainrings

48 34 ISTR.  It changes very nicely.

The cassette is 8 speed (low 34) with a Shimano 105 derailleur.  The shifters are bar-enders.
Move Faster and Bake Things

zigzag

  • unfuckwithable
Re: Double chaninsets for touring- what are the cool kids using?
« Reply #7 on: 29 June, 2020, 04:38:02 pm »
on a gravel/touring bike 46/30 and 11-36 cassette, works well for me.

(if you are concerned about a cool factor, then friction shifters, mudguards and a saddle bags - aren't ;D )

Re: Double chaninsets for touring- what are the cool kids using?
« Reply #8 on: 29 June, 2020, 04:43:50 pm »
 I should add that  the frame is being made in Italy , ordered via Racer  Rosa in Walthamstow. 

When I mentioned triple chainsets to Diego, whose runs Racer  Rosa, a  look of pain came  across  his  face. I think he'd prefer I went for a Chorus 12 speed groupset- This is attractive as Campag now offer a 48/32 chain set and a 36  rear cassette. But that's for another bike...

Here's an example of what I expect to get...

http://www.racerrosabicycles.co.uk/index.php?main_page=page&id=14

Re: Double chaninsets for touring- what are the cool kids using?
« Reply #9 on: 29 June, 2020, 04:45:03 pm »
In terms of  cool---the Rough Stuff Fellowship look is very much on trend  at the moment...


Fennec

Re: Double chaninsets for touring- what are the cool kids using?
« Reply #10 on: 29 June, 2020, 04:47:50 pm »
44/28 front (Spa Cycles square taper) and 11-34 rear (9 speed).

It’s intended for rides where comfort>speed, and the smallest couple of sprockets have proved pretty much decorative.

The bike has the original Sora STI units, which I don’t like in any respect. I will change to bar-end shifters which I prefer on a touring bike - I have everything I need except a round tuit.

It also has full guards, a Carradice saddlebag and a Brooks B17 😁

(Disclaimer: I am not, never have been and never will be cool).

Re: Double chaninsets for touring- what are the cool kids using?
« Reply #11 on: 29 June, 2020, 05:17:04 pm »
Certainly not cool, but, swapped 50/34for46/30 grx chainset. 11/32 11 speed cassette. Perfect in every way. 46/11 plenty tall enough for my tourer. When the cassette is worn out I'll fit an11/34. Last weekend I test rode it up chalk hill, Hatch h Lane Baldock with panniers, with 2.5 kg tent, sleeping bag, thermarest mat. Nowt else. Twiddle up in bottom gear relatively easy. I'm 59 and not that fit. 13 stone 6'1""to add perspective

Re: Double chaninsets for touring- what are the cool kids using?
« Reply #12 on: 29 June, 2020, 06:33:17 pm »
I should add that  the frame is being made in Italy , ordered via Racer  Rosa in Walthamstow. 

When I mentioned triple chainsets to Diego, whose runs Racer  Rosa, a  look of pain came  across  his  face. I think he'd prefer I went for a Chorus 12 speed groupset- This is attractive as Campag now offer a 48/32 chain set and a 36  rear cassette. But that's for another bike...

Here's an example of what I expect to get...

http://www.racerrosabicycles.co.uk/index.php?main_page=page&id=14

A friend of mine, a trained ( in Italy) Campagnolo specialist, has converted a Campag triple to a double using the middle and inner rings only.
That might satisfy the Italian cultural requirement 

Karla

  • car(e) free
    • Lost Byway - around the world by bike
Re: Double chaninsets for touring- what are the cool kids using?
« Reply #13 on: 29 June, 2020, 06:48:31 pm »
46/30 chainsets are an established thing now.  The Shimano GRX double chainsets should fit your bill nicely.

Feanor

  • It's mostly downhill from here.
Re: Double chaninsets for touring- what are the cool kids using?
« Reply #14 on: 29 June, 2020, 06:54:12 pm »
My Shand Stoater came with GRX 46/30 with 11/34 at the back.
It feels 'right' on that bike.

Re: Double chaninsets for touring- what are the cool kids using?
« Reply #15 on: 29 June, 2020, 07:03:51 pm »
I’m certainly not cool and I’m probably not helping, but triples are very desirable for a tourer. I run a 28/38/48 on an 11-32 9 speed. Surly Disc Trucker.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Double chaninsets for touring- what are the cool kids using?
« Reply #16 on: 29 June, 2020, 07:09:10 pm »
That's very much the set up I have on my heavy duty tourer; an excellent combination of sprockets and chain rings.

Re: Double chaninsets for touring- what are the cool kids using?
« Reply #17 on: 29 June, 2020, 07:41:17 pm »
46/30 chainsets are an established thing now.  The Shimano GRX double chainsets should fit your bill nicely.
that's what I'm going for.  Although I hadnt seen that campag chainset... :D

tiermat

  • According to Jane, I'm a Unisex SpaceAdmin
Re: Double chaninsets for touring- what are the cool kids using?
« Reply #18 on: 29 June, 2020, 08:16:23 pm »
46/30 chainsets are an established thing now.  The Shimano GRX double chainsets should fit your bill nicely.
that's what I'm going for.  Although I hadnt seen that campag chainset... :D

I am hoping, soon, to swap to a GRX chainset. The main downside I can see is that you can't use a double with the long cage rear mech, thus you are restricted to the 11-34 cassette at the rear, whereas if you go 1X you can use the 11-42.

More deciding required.
I feel like Captain Kirk, on a brand new planet every day, a little like King Kong on top of the Empire State

Re: Double chaninsets for touring- what are the cool kids using?
« Reply #19 on: 29 June, 2020, 09:08:22 pm »
I can see the attraction of running a double, but I'm still running Campagnolo triple 3x10 and it seems like a very good set up. The Campagnolo shifters are lovely. Spare parts are easily obtained and cheap and it's been incredibly long lasting. I've got a new middle chainring in after 12 years and now and then you with the idea of replacing the 30t inner chainring with a 28t to allow me to drop below the magic 1:1 ratio, but so far my chosen 13-29 sprockets seem ok.

If you can find the parts, if be tempted to do that, or maybe the newer 2x11 and go for the wide range cassette.

Re: Double chaninsets for touring- what are the cool kids using?
« Reply #20 on: 29 June, 2020, 10:02:21 pm »
46-30 might be a standard set-up now but when I tried it (before the GRX stuff came out) I didn't get on with it, I was never on the right ring in the right gear. I had had 44-30 several decades earlier which was wonderful and had used 42-30 and 42-32 on mountains (day bag but heavy bike) which worked very well. I then went to 46-34 which was better but not low enough and finished up adding a 30 (although 28 is even better I have found) to end up with a triple. Mind I was only using 8sp 11-30, with a modern 11sp cassette I might have found things a bit different.

Re: Double chaninsets for touring- what are the cool kids using?
« Reply #21 on: 29 June, 2020, 10:11:06 pm »
Crikey, I’m not the only one :)
I’ve got 26/36 on my gravel / tourer, and 11 - 36 at the back (could probably change to 32 or 34). It’s 10 speed with bar end shifters, which I find more comfortable.
The top gears run out at about 38km/h, which is freewheeling down hill in my world.
The bottom gears let me sit and spin easily up most things.
More important, the big ring takes me from easy going / false flat and faster on the road; while the small ring is any 2 or more of long hill, steep hill, extra luggage and rough surface. So I’m not mucking about changing rings all the time.
Your legs may vary.

Re: Double chaninsets for touring- what are the cool kids using?
« Reply #22 on: 29 June, 2020, 10:19:32 pm »
.If you fancy Italian (ish) Miche do a 2x chainset that is very similar to the GRX one.  Whether 2x or 3x is 'right' for you is obviously a question of what gears you intend to use; different strokes for different folks and all that.

cheers

Re: Double chaninsets for touring- what are the cool kids using?
« Reply #23 on: 29 June, 2020, 10:26:31 pm »
I am wondering if there's a cycle touring or Audax tradition in Italian cycling.

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Double chaninsets for touring- what are the cool kids using?
« Reply #24 on: 29 June, 2020, 10:41:03 pm »
Audax Italiano started a few years before Audax Club Parisien was created.

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1200
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...