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I do a mixture of riding, most of it loops of road/offroad that I can get to from my house, and some off road bits further afield. My bikes a "downhill orientated" hardtail which I absolutely love, so even though its not really perfect for what I use it for 90% of the time because its so heavy, Ive never felt under-biked on it even when I went to Fort William. And hey, I still get just as fit and do the same amount of miles, I just don`t do them as quick, right!
Considering all that, Im trying to decide what chainset to buy to replace the shimano triple I currently have which is knackered. I like the idea of the slx double, but the biggest outer chainring Ive seen offered is a 36 and I know my outer chainring is a 44. Im pretty strong, and I know that difference will annoy me when Im out training on the roads (which I do, as this is my only bike). Can you replace the chainrings with something substantially bigger, a 40 maybe? I reckon something like a 40/26 would suit me ok, as I hardly ever use my granny ring. Or should I just stop thinking so much, and replace my triple?
I just don`t know much about cranks, so any comments would be helpful.
Sram X7/9/0 are available 28/42t, but you would need a new BB.
Thanks for that sambob, I`ll have a look. 42/28 appeals to my macho/masochistic nature haha!
One more question about the slx double- if i buy one at 36/22 and I find it is totally under-geared, can I just take the bashguard off and put an outer ring on, or are the double and triple chainsets designed completely differently? If this were an option I think I would take a chance on it.
I'm not really sure. You can also get XT double, 40/28. Looks better IMO and it's Shimano so it'll live for ever, especially if you put steel rings on it.
The new XT doubles (M785) come in 26/38 and 28/40 combinations, which when combined with a ten speed 11/36 cassette on the back should give you all the gear combinations you need. But... they don't have anywhere to fit a bash ring, if thats important to you?
But ... if you don't want to go ten speed ...
are the double and triple chainsets designed completely differently
The SLX M660 and M665 are basically the same cranks with a few small differences. The M665 has steel pedal inserts, and the 'lugs' on the spider arms are slightly different to take the 36T middle and the bash on the outside. This means you can fit any standard metal Shimano (& other compatible) middle chainrings, but not the new composite ones like come with the M660, without a bit of filing. Similarly, you can fit a standard big ring, but there will be a few mm gap where it fits on the spider - not a problem functionally, just means the ring is only supported on the bolts, not bolts and spider lugs.
36t at the front only loses the top two gears available from a 44t front ring
do you really spend much time in your road training using 44/12 and 44/11?
whats the matter with your current chainset, if you only need to replace the rings why not look at getting two rings to fit your current set and a lightweight bash?
This is all brilliant advice, thanks folks. Im going to do what soobalias suggests in the short term and fit a 36 tooth middle ring and a bash to my current cranks, to see how I get on with it while I save for some new ones. Its the outer ring thats completely shot on my cranks, and the bolts that hold the left hand arm on. Ill patch them up and keep saving. Cheers.
36t at the front only loses the top two gears available from a 44t front ring
I am a spinner by nature and am find having a 40x11 about the limit i can cope with, i certainly wouldn't be looking at anything smaller for a chainring. It is not usually an issue off road, it can be on summer days, but it is a real issue on faster road sections for me.