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Hi,
I'm after opinions on the chainring setup for my new bike. It comes with 22/36/bash and an 11-36 cassette. I can ride all trail centers with 1:1 (32 front 32 back) fine, so 26-36 seems silly low. I'd like to change the rings to around 30t and 40t at the front... has anybody done this? I imagine it will use the middle and outer position, but retaining the bash would be preferable. Is 28/40/bash possible?
Thanks in advance
28/40 or 30/42 would shift better.
Either combo would use inner and middle (the only way you can fit smaller than a 32t on the middle position is something like a 30t Extralite Octaramp and file the spider), so you can use an appropriately sized bash.
FIFY... Trail centre [s]All mountain[/s] double setup for a fit/trained rider
Ditch the bash - probably easiest to flog the crank you have and buy a dedicated 2x cranks with 42/28 or 39/26 (SRAM)... or 40/28 38/26 XTR
1x10 with a 34 or 36t up front sounds like it'd suit you.
Saves quite a bit of weight over a 2x10 with bash too.
IMO if you are really doing MTB riding you wont need more than 34 or 36 upfront. Any bigger than that and you are a fireroad/smoothtrail XC rider or should have FF & armour for the down.
IMO if you are really doing MTB riding you wont need more than 34 or 36 upfront. Any bigger than that and you are a fireroad/smoothtrail XC rider or should have FF & armour for the down.
Unless you ride on the road to get to the trails. Only place I find a 36 limiting.
Depends on your definition of "all mountain".
If it's trail centres, go singlering - not met a climb at a trail centre that couldn't be got up on 1:1.
If it's Lakes/Peaks/Wales natural stuff (ie *actually* all mountain), maybe swap the cassette for an 11-32 to save a bit of weight. Generally if I can't get up something on 22/32, its technique/line choice errors, not strength holding me back.
If you're fit then go for a 42/30, I'm not fit and run 40/28.
If you want to keep the bash then get one of these, got 'em on both of my bikes which both have double chainsets:
Thanks for opinions so far. I do think I'd use bigger than 36t up front but more for the unavoidable fire-roads... It is actually all mountain riding - proper lake district and alp riding as well as trail centers, however I'll use my XC bikes for most trail centers. It needs to be the most versatile I can get it to suit the bike (Stumpy FSR EVO).
I'm thinking of ditching the double/bash/chain guide, then running a shadow plus and double without bash guard. That MRP looks like a good option if I feel I need a bash in the future.
I wonder how much can I sell SRAM Carbon BB30 cranks for...
Single ring it. Saves weight (quite a lot too if you're chucking a bashquard- over a pound), saves faff, saves money. There's nothing in most trail centres that someone who considers themselves fit will not be able to get up on a single ring set up, and it won't affect your speed down stuff at all. I used it in the highlands a lot when I lived up there- with 32:36 you can get up anything.
1 x 10 36 x 11-36 here. Love it.