Drive train dilemmas

[ginacico]

So, Vaya needs a new drive train. I finally wore it out; front chainrings are jagged, rear cassette worn in places, bottom bracket is clunky, and of course chain and cables need replaced.

I’ve always said when the time comes, I want to switch to something with better hill-climbing capacity. I’m a spinner, not a masher, and my knees are not getting younger. Vaya truly gets used as a go-anywhere bike, including but not limited to loaded touring (when I really need the low gears), long-distance rides, gravel and commuting. So I want the lowest gears possible while still having a wide range for the other stuff.

Current build is Ultegra 10-speed triple. Kinda obsolete, and I’m told that the rear derailleur won’t allow a bigger cassette.

I’m not ready to commit to a 1×11, so exploring my options:

• Minimal parts swap ideas. Is there any other rear setup I could use with my Ultegra STI shifters? Found a Tiagra 10-speed rear derailleur and an XT mountain derailleur that would allow for a bigger cassette, but I’m told neither would be compatible. I could try them for free, but if it results in wonky shifting I won’t be happy. Any experience/clues if that could work?
• Upgrading to Ultegra 11-speed won’t get me much gearing advantage, and would be pricey. Kinda ruled this out already.
• Vayas sold today include SRAM Apex. I got a quote for a SRAM Rival setup, 12-36 rear cassette, 50/34 compact double in front. Even if I buy the whole group, it’s less expensive than Ultegra. I’ve never used SRAM, am I going to like or regret it? I plan to go out and test ride a couple.
• Other ideas??

All opinions welcome, please enlighten me with your sound reasoning so I learn something.

Topic

[anomad]

If I do a specific DC commuter build I will probably look at an internal geared hub. But I am well set right now for bikes. I might sell a couple, but Judd and Hozn might be the only dudes that ride a frame my size… haha Retrofitting something that is already running good would be a waste of time and money. I have other things to waste time and money on. Dynamo front wheels are another story. I am still kicking that idea around and thank you for offering your wheel building services, I will keep it in mind. I haven’t laced one up in years, but I imagine the principles of physics have remained largely the same.

[Judd]

@anomad 162146 wrote:

If I do a specific DC commuter build I will probably look at an internal geared hub. But I am well set right now for bikes. I might sell a couple, but Judd and Hozn might be the only dudes that ride a frame my size… haha Retrofitting something that is already running good would be a waste of time and money. I have other things to waste time and money on. Dynamo front wheels are another story. I am still kicking that idea around and thank you for offering your wheel building services, I will keep it in mind. I haven’t laced one up in years, but I imagine the principles of physics have remained largely the same.

Hmmmm. What is potentially is on the market? If I get rid of the table, my dining room has space for 3 or 4 more bikes.

[Author]

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