Tiagra triple chainset (50/39/30). Advice needed!

[contango]

26/36/46 makes sense, but 26/39/50 can be close enough to perfection, too, depending on taste.  The 39T (or 38T) minimum limit for the middle ring can be worth accepting when you like a "road" triple crankset for a small Q factor (which applies to my Campag ones anyway).  It can help with these to use cassettes that start with 13 or 14T.

I rather like the look of the 48-36-26 option that (I think) used to be a Deore triple. The 26 looks like it should be appreciably lower than a 30, sufficiently so to help a fat guy up a big hill, while trading the 50 for a 48 means you're not losing much at the top end.

[sojournermike]

26/36/46 makes sense, but 26/39/50 can be close enough to perfection, too, depending on taste.  The 39T (or 38T) minimum limit for the middle ring can be worth accepting when you like a "road" triple crankset for a small Q factor (which applies to my Campag ones anyway).  It can help with these to use cassettes that start with 13 or 14T.

I rather like the look of the 48-36-26 option that (I think) used to be a Deore triple. The 26 looks like it should be appreciably lower than a 30, sufficiently so to help a fat guy up a big hill, while trading the 50 for a 48 means you're not losing much at the top end.

Yep, 48-36-26 works really well, and you can use a shimano ultegra triple mech easily enough. I had one with a 12-25 10 speed at the back and loved it. Now I've got a 52-39-30 and a 52-42-30 variant and like the middle rings, but need a 12-28 to really make them work as well.

[contango]

26/36/46 makes sense, but 26/39/50 can be close enough to perfection, too, depending on taste.  The 39T (or 38T) minimum limit for the middle ring can be worth accepting when you like a "road" triple crankset for a small Q factor (which applies to my Campag ones anyway).  It can help with these to use cassettes that start with 13 or 14T.

I rather like the look of the 48-36-26 option that (I think) used to be a Deore triple. The 26 looks like it should be appreciably lower than a 30, sufficiently so to help a fat guy up a big hill, while trading the 50 for a 48 means you're not losing much at the top end.

Yep, 48-36-26 works really well, and you can use a shimano ultegra triple mech easily enough. I had one with a 12-25 10 speed at the back and loved it. Now I've got a 52-39-30 and a 52-42-30 variant and like the middle rings, but need a 12-28 to really make them work as well.

If you're fat and slow *COUGH* not like me at all *COUGH* you could pair a 48-36-26 triple with 11-34 at the back. I figure even I should be able to get up just about any hill with a 26-34 low gear.

[sojournermike]

26/36/46 makes sense, but 26/39/50 can be close enough to perfection, too, depending on taste.  The 39T (or 38T) minimum limit for the middle ring can be worth accepting when you like a "road" triple crankset for a small Q factor (which applies to my Campag ones anyway).  It can help with these to use cassettes that start with 13 or 14T.

I rather like the look of the 48-36-26 option that (I think) used to be a Deore triple. The 26 looks like it should be appreciably lower than a 30, sufficiently so to help a fat guy up a big hill, while trading the 50 for a 48 means you're not losing much at the top end.

Yep, 48-36-26 works really well, and you can use a shimano ultegra triple mech easily enough. I had one with a 12-25 10 speed at the back and loved it. Now I've got a 52-39-30 and a 52-42-30 variant and like the middle rings, but need a 12-28 to really make them work as well.

If you're fat and slow *COUGH* not like me at all *COUGH* you could pair a 48-36-26 triple with 11-34 at the back. I figure even I should be able to get up just about any hill with a 26-34 low gear.

Think I'd tip over sideways;)

Seriously, I never missed the 11 or 52:12 though.

Mike

[contango]

26/36/46 makes sense, but 26/39/50 can be close enough to perfection, too, depending on taste.  The 39T (or 38T) minimum limit for the middle ring can be worth accepting when you like a "road" triple crankset for a small Q factor (which applies to my Campag ones anyway).  It can help with these to use cassettes that start with 13 or 14T.

I rather like the look of the 48-36-26 option that (I think) used to be a Deore triple. The 26 looks like it should be appreciably lower than a 30, sufficiently so to help a fat guy up a big hill, while trading the 50 for a 48 means you're not losing much at the top end.

Yep, 48-36-26 works really well, and you can use a shimano ultegra triple mech easily enough. I had one with a 12-25 10 speed at the back and loved it. Now I've got a 52-39-30 and a 52-42-30 variant and like the middle rings, but need a 12-28 to really make them work as well.

If you're fat and slow *COUGH* not like me at all *COUGH* you could pair a 48-36-26 triple with 11-34 at the back. I figure even I should be able to get up just about any hill with a 26-34 low gear.

Think I'd tip over sideways;)

Seriously, I never missed the 11 or 52:12 though.

Mike

As long as you can keep moving you should be OK. I remember it took several attempts to get going again on a 20% gradient with a loaded pannier after I'd stopped for reasons unknown (other than it seemed like a good idea at the time). On the MTB (with a 22-34 low gear, paired with 26" wheels) I managed to get my speed down to 1.2mph according to my GPS before I became unstable.

I know at that point you might as well walk for speed, but sometimes there's pride involved as well...

I've never had a gear higher than 50-11 to play with, and to be honest I don't think I ever used that top gear other than in testing derailleur adjustments.

[Ningishzidda]

If you imagine you're climbing a ladder, you'll be fine at anything over 1 mph.
When you let your mind stray from the ladder scenario, and get intimidated by the realisation you are riding a bike up a steep hill, the wobbles start.

[mrcharly-YHT]

If you imagine you're climbing a ladder, you'll be fine at anything over 1 mph.
When you let your mind stray from the ladder scenario, and get intimidated by the realisation you are riding a bike up a steep hill, the wobbles start.

I used to imagine I was walking up a very steep hill, the sort where every step was a considered effort. Similar principle to your suggestion. Only really works when climbing out of the saddle, but it works well.

[Ningishzidda]

If you imagine you're climbing a ladder, you'll be fine at anything over 1 mph.
When you let your mind stray from the ladder scenario, and get intimidated by the realisation you are riding a bike up a steep hill, the wobbles start.

I used to imagine I was walking up a very steep hill, the sort where every step was a considered effort. Similar principle to your suggestion. Only really works when climbing out of the saddle, but it works well.

If your imagination is really good, you can hear Julie Andrews a chorus of nuns singing.

[Mr Larrington]

I've never had a gear higher than 50-11 to play with, and to be honest I don't think I ever used that top gear other than in testing derailleur adjustments.

Discounting machinery with small drive wheels, this.  Cosimo the Stealth Baron has a 53-12 top gear and that only ever got used during races, specifically down the hill at Eastway.  As soon as things levelled out I'd be back down the block again.  Even the Trice, with 20" wheels, only has a 52-12.

[sojournermike]

Highest top has been 48:11 on 26 inch wheels, with 52:12 on 700c a close contender. Neitehr have ever seen much use - changing up at around 105rpm cadence on descents means that I am probably going 'fast enough^TM' long before I am in danger of really needing that gear.

On last night's, admittedly spinny, excursion I only used the 39 ring, don't think I used the 12 or even 13 cogs and my top speed was 26.5mph. Really don't think I need 50:11, even if I could push it. I've always been impressed in the TdF time trials when they're pushing 53 or 54 11 on the flat.

[Ningishzidda]

Specialised Shiv. 50 x 11 ( 128 inches )

and used it.

Backside off seat in final 1/4 mile of 5 milers. About 30 mph on the flat. ~ 340 Watts.

[JerryS]

back to the original topic (sort of)

My new Vaya is too high geared for me, it's currently running Shimano 105 50-39-30 and 11-28 (I originally thought it was actually 11-30 until I counted them).

My first and cheapest option would be to try 50-39-26 at the front with a cheap stronglight 26 in place of the 30. Would this work okay with the 105 front mech.

The next option would be to put a bigger cassette on the back (11-34 maybe) but I think I will need a new rear mech as well as a new chain. Am I correct in thinking it has to be a shimano 9 speed MTB mech. Can anybody recommend one - I'm getting confused with the different models.

Third option would be a stronglight triple and new bottom bracket , say 46-36-26. Would this work okay with the 105 front mech. I've read it needs an 11 tooth gap between large and middle ring ?

[Polar Bear]

I run 26/38/48 Stronglight rings on a Shimano triple chainset and the standard Shimano front mech works fine.   It took a little adjustment but once done it's been flawless for years.

[JerryS]

D'oh. I hadn't thought of changing all the rings and keeping the cranks.

That's probably a good way to go as I never us 50/11  !!

[mrcharly-YHT]

Spa cycles in harrogate has some very nice own-branded rings - they are actually TA. Very good value.

[vorsprung]

By September your knee will be feeling much better
I have a 12-30 Tigra cassette which is going on my similar to yours bike (105 but otherwise the same)  These are widely and cheaply available