Going from a triple to a double – what don’t I know?

[jrenaut]

My “I don’t have the kids but the fixie is impractical for this ride” bike is a 2013 Bianchi Volpe. It came with a triple up front – 50/39/30.

I’d like to switch to a double. The only time I ever use the small ring is when I accidentally downshift, and then I use it only long enough to get back into the middle ring.

Can I just replace the crankset and the front brifter? Or is there more to it than that? Since Shimano sells 2X10 and 3X10 derailleurs, I assume i’d have to replace that, too. Would I have to do 50/39? And how do I get the crankset off?

Topic

[hozn]

@Harry Meatmotor 159502 wrote:

Ding Ding Ding!!!

It’ll be a bit noisier and there’ll be some hesitation dropping into the top 2 or 3 cogs, but cheating the chainline towards the BB with some chainring spacers will get you pretty damn close to fixing this. I’ve also noticed (at least on my 1x CX setup: Rival 40T XSync, Red 11-32 Powerdome, with Specs goofyass SCS crap) that running the chain a link or two long helps, too).

Also, didn’t want to say it earlier and make you feel bad, but IMHO too, Sunrace is kinda janky. Would not recommend.

Thanks! Yeah, don’t worry; I wouldn’t have felt bad. The specs (weight, I guess) and cost seemed attractive, but I’m not going to waste money on that again.

So, maybe the long plan here will be to switch to a Rival 1 crankset. But I probably will first try a better wide-range cassette or probably just stick with Shimano XT 11-36 cassettes, which work perfectly, for now and size down my ring to a 42t if I don’t think 46:36 is a low enough gear.

[Harry Meatmotor]

@hozn 159503 wrote:

Thanks! Yeah, don’t worry; I wouldn’t have felt bad. The specs (weight, I guess) and cost seemed attractive, but I’m not going to waste money on that again.

So, maybe the long plan here will be to switch to a Rival 1 crankset. But I probably will first try a better wide-range cassette or probably just stick with Shimano XT 11-36 cassettes, which work perfectly, for now and size down my ring to a 42t if I don’t think 46:36 is a low enough gear.

Yeah, I’d say keep the XT 11-36, try some 2mm chainring spacers, and swap CRs as needed. That OneUp quick swap CR deal is pretty intriguing… too bad they’re a bunch of MTBers and don’t have any setups greater than 36T.

[jrenaut]

If you all are done threadjacking me, I’ll update that I keep setting Strava PRs with this 1X10 setup. It could be partly coincidental, but I’m really happy with the setup. And an extra bonus is at stoplights I can “shift” the shifter that’s no longer connected to anything.

[hozn]

Hey, you thread jacked yourself. This thread is about going from a triple to a double . And all my posts about 1x chainline and cassettes to avoid are relevant, IMO! If maybe a bit of a tangent on your thread.

The PRs are coincidence. IME, this is the time of year people set PRs. Though if you still haven’t put your rack back on, that is likely the biggest bike change here (in terms of things that could possibly make it faster). Probably still mental, but a rack or fenders always makes a bike feel slow.

[jrenaut]

The rack was back on for the latest bunch. No fenders yet.

[hozn]

@hozn 159503 wrote:

Thanks! Yeah, don’t worry; I wouldn’t have felt bad. The specs (weight, I guess) and cost seemed attractive, but I’m not going to waste money on that again.

So, maybe the long plan here will be to switch to a Rival 1 crankset. But I probably will first try a better wide-range cassette or probably just stick with Shimano XT 11-36 cassettes, which work perfectly, for now and size down my ring to a 42t if I don’t think 46:36 is a low enough gear.

So to follow up on this jacked thread, I got my $96 (!) Praxis 11-40 10sp cassette in today. It shifts beautifully and chain doesn’t fall off when backpedaling.

So, lesson learned about SunRace cassettes.

[anomad]

@hozn 160455 wrote:

So, lesson learned about SunRace cassettes.

Note to self…

Edit for more thread jacking: when the world went away from 8 speed, I picked up a few cassettes and chains at bargain prices. Rummaging through my parts bin last weekend I am down to my last cassette and chain. Good SRAM nickel plated stuff.

[jrenaut]

Unexpected but totally obvious in hindsight – now that there’s no derailleur cable on the left, my Moose Mitt doesn’t stay in place on that side. I think I’m going to need to do some sewing.

[Author]

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