Re: What's the Smallest Chainring You'd Put on an Ultegra Triple Crank?
Dave Thompson 29 March 2005 08:44:42
Eric wrote:> I've got an Ultegra triple crank that came stock with a 30T small> chainring. The 30T, when coupled with the stock 12-25 cassette> doesn't quite have low enough gearing for some really steep climbs> (in other words I'm not in good enough shape).>
Anyway I've looked at getting a larger cassette, which I could do> later, but for now I'm getting a smaller small chainring. The options> are 24, 26 and 28T. I can get the 24 in aluminum or steel and the> larger ones in aluminum only. I always get steel for the small> mountainbike chainrings but I'm not sure here, as these are alot> larger than the 20T small chainrings that I run on mountain bikes.>
Also, as far as the cassettes go, I assume an XT 9 speed cassette> would be compatible with an Ultegra 9 speed cassette.>
Is that true?>
Any help appreciated.>
Regards,> Eric
Last question first; yes an XT MTB (11/32 or 11/34)cassette will fit on your rear wheel and your STI shifters will work with it just fine, but you most likely will have to use an MTB long cage derailleur also. To your first question, I believe the limiting factor on the size of small chainring that you can use will be the ability of your front derailleur to shift up from the small to the middle ring. I think the max difference it will be able to shift is a 14 tooth difference in chainrings. If I'm correct, then you will be able to go only as small as a 28 tooth little ring.
Last question first; yes an XT MTB (11/32 or 11/34)cassette will fit>> on your rear wheel and your STI shifters will work with it just>> fine, but you most likely will have to use an MTB long cage>> derailleur also. To your first question, I believe the limiting>> factor on the size of small chainring that you can use will be the>> ability of your front derailleur to shift up from the small to the>> middle ring. I think the max difference it will be able to shift is>> a 14 tooth difference in chainrings. If I'm correct, then you will>> be able to go only as small as a 28 tooth little ring.>
Phooey. I have a 26/39/52 setup on my Ultegra crank. A couple> friends of mine have 24-tooth rings on theirs. Mine shifts fine with> a R443 front derailleur, matched to elderly XTR Rapidfire shifters. I> have a 12/28 8-speed cassette on the rear.>
Jeff
The OP's question was framed in such a way that it sounded like he is using a stock Ultegra set-up. My answer to him was correct *if* he has that equipment. You apparently a much different set-up, even to the extent of using a non-standard (in 9-speed anyway) 39t middle ring, which is a 13t difference between small and middle BTW and MTB shifters. So I'll stand by what I originally posted
Mike Jacoubowsky 29 March 2005 11:52:09 [ permanent link ]
I've got an Ultegra triple crank that came stock with a 30T small> chainring. The 30T, when coupled with the stock 12-25 cassette doesn't> quite have low enough gearing for some really steep climbs (in other> words I'm not in good enough shape).>
Anyway I've looked at getting a larger cassette, which I could do> later, but for now I'm getting a smaller small chainring. The options> are 24, 26 and 28T. I can get the 24 in aluminum or steel and the> larger ones in aluminum only. I always get steel for the small> mountainbike chainrings but I'm not sure here, as these are alot larger> than the 20T small chainrings that I run on mountain bikes.>
Also, as far as the cassettes go, I assume an XT 9 speed cassette would> be compatible with an Ultegra 9 speed cassette.
First things first. How much lower do you really need to go? If you don't need much, change the rear to a 27t before going after the front. There's no downside (to shifting) at all by changing to a 27t at the back. No changing derailleurs either. If you go wider and use a mountain bike 12-32 or 12-34, you're probably going to have to change to a mountain bike rear derailleur (make sure you get a standard one, not one of the ones that shifts backwards).
On the front, you'll generally have little trouble switching from a 30t to a 28t, but anything smaller might give you a bit of grief. Another poster talks about using a 24t combined with XTR flatbar shifters, but that was also 8-speed with a wider (and more forgiving) chain.
"Eric" <erentschler@msn.com> wrote in message news:1112070764.545747.123780@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...> I've got an Ultegra triple crank that came stock with a 30T small> chainring. The 30T, when coupled with the stock 12-25 cassette doesn't> quite have low enough gearing for some really steep climbs (in other> words I'm not in good enough shape).>
Anyway I've looked at getting a larger cassette, which I could do> later, but for now I'm getting a smaller small chainring. The options> are 24, 26 and 28T. I can get the 24 in aluminum or steel and the> larger ones in aluminum only. I always get steel for the small> mountainbike chainrings but I'm not sure here, as these are alot larger> than the 20T small chainrings that I run on mountain bikes.>
Also, as far as the cassettes go, I assume an XT 9 speed cassette would> be compatible with an Ultegra 9 speed cassette.>
"Mike Jacoubowsky" <mikej1@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message news:JO72e.16545$C47.13858@newssvr14.news.prodigy.com...> > I've got an Ultegra triple crank that came stock with a 30T small> > chainring. The 30T, when coupled with the stock 12-25 cassette doesn't> > quite have low enough gearing for some really steep climbs (in other> > words I'm not in good enough shape).> >
Anyway I've looked at getting a larger cassette, which I could do> > later, but for now I'm getting a smaller small chainring. The options> > are 24, 26 and 28T. I can get the 24 in aluminum or steel and the> > larger ones in aluminum only. I always get steel for the small> > mountainbike chainrings but I'm not sure here, as these are alot larger> > than the 20T small chainrings that I run on mountain bikes.> >
Also, as far as the cassettes go, I assume an XT 9 speed cassette would> > be compatible with an Ultegra 9 speed cassette.>
First things first. How much lower do you really need to go? If you don't> need much, change the rear to a 27t before going after the front. There's
downside (to shifting) at all by changing to a 27t at the back. No
changing> derailleurs either. If you go wider and use a mountain bike 12-32 or 12-34,> you're probably going to have to change to a mountain bike rear derailleur> (make sure you get a standard one, not one of the ones that shifts> backwards).>
If you stick with the stock 52/42/30 chainset, there's a good chance that your standard Ultegra long cage rd will shift the 12-32 fine. I know the 105 rd can handle it. You also might need to add a few links of chain - even though you'll never use the big-big combo, you should provide enough chain length so you don't get jammed when accidentally trying to shift up to that combo. I'd go with the 32 XT cassette first, and then check whether your rd will handle it. And then add some chain.
"Dave Thompson" <davetspokane1@comcast.net> wrote in news:F_SdnR-FXJmgetXfRVn- 3Q@comcast.com:> The OP's question was framed in such a way that it sounded like he is using> a stock Ultegra set-up. My answer to him was correct *if* he has that> equipment.
I use Ultegra 9 speed STI shifters with a Dura-Ace triple derailleurs and 26-39-52 chainrings. Works great.
Zog The Undeniable 30 March 2005 21:44:07 [ permanent link ]
Eric wrote:
I've got an Ultegra triple crank that came stock with a 30T small> chainring. The 30T, when coupled with the stock 12-25 cassette doesn't> quite have low enough gearing for some really steep climbs (in other> words I'm not in good enough shape).>
Anyway I've looked at getting a larger cassette, which I could do> later, but for now I'm getting a smaller small chainring. The options> are 24, 26 and 28T. I can get the 24 in aluminum or steel and the> larger ones in aluminum only. I always get steel for the small> mountainbike chainrings but I'm not sure here, as these are alot larger> than the 20T small chainrings that I run on mountain bikes.>
Also, as far as the cassettes go, I assume an XT 9 speed cassette would> be compatible with an Ultegra 9 speed cassette.
I use a 26T on a new 105 triple, but that's with an old model XT front mech, which has a capacity of 26T between the big ring and the granny (I use 52/42/26 on my touring bike). The modern Shimano road triple mechs, IIRC, have a capacity of 22T so this is why they only come with a 30T granny. You'll have to downsize the big ring or find a different front mech if you go down this route.
