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My ageing Boardman CX bike currently has a 50/34 front and lets assume 12/32 rear.
On steep off road climbs I struggle, it feels like I could do with another 2 gears at the rear. On the road, probably another 1 gear would be useful. However changing the front chain ring will be cheaper.
So will a 32 give me what I need, or do I need a 30?
Thanks
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/gear-calc.html
Looks to me a change to a 30T chainring with existing 12-32 will only give you one easier gear than the current 34T.
What BCD is your chainset? 34t is probably the smallest that you can fit if it's an older Boardman with 5 arm 110.
My first thought also, does a 30t even fit on the cranks you have?
Hmm it is 5 arm, can you not get 30t?
Big cassette on the back then !?!
Yeah, that’s a 110 so 34 is as low as you go in the front without new cranks.
50/30 is also likely to be more than your front mech can handle, so you'd need a smaller big ring. You're either looking at a subcompact crank (46/30) or a bigger cassette.
https://www.probikekit.co.uk/bicycle-cranksets-and-chainrings/shimano-grx-rx600-double-11-speed-chainset/12649530.html is 30/46, but then you will need to get Hollowtech BB, 11-speed shifters, mechs and cassette.
Thanks I was hoping a new chainring would be the cheap option, new cassette it is and hope the rear mech can cope !
Is that a 2014? I ran a 40t (sunrace) on the back with the stock apex wifli mech and a 40th single upfront for the 3 peaks last year and it was fine. Not sure what the effect would be using a double however. The 2014 teamcx is a bit of a lump (i'm using mine as a commuter at the moment with 40mm Marathons, mudguards, single 38t up front and it's not what you'd call sprightly, even on the road. It's pretty dependable though. I swapped the cranks out for some old 105's but the FSA's will be fine. You could probably get by with a 38t (cheapy from aliexpress about 7 or 8 quid) on a 5 arm crank and a 40t casette on the back.
The biggest issue I ever had was the BB, now has a Wheels MFG bb30 to ht2. About 80 quid but worth it over the stock press fit.
The 2014 teamcx is a bit of a lump (i’m using mine as a commuter at the moment with 40mm Marathons, mudguards, single 38t up front and it’s not what you’d call sprightly, even on the road. It’s pretty dependable though
I think its the 2014 - grey with bits of yellow. I did 3 peaks on it 5 yrs ago and deeply regret not changing the gearing on it for that ok fitness wasnt great, but i dont think the bike particularly helped !
Now it’s just a winter bike, it’s ok once rolling but the Landcruisers (once tyre of choice for 3 peaks) are hard work
