double to triple

Why would you even bother.I have climed steep hills and never used the 3rd
Waste of space and extra weight you don't need. 2nd front 6th rear enough most hills.

ej599 said:

I have a stock 1985 raleigh granprix with shimano 105 components and i was contemplating converting it to a triple chairing set up. What crankset should I use and will my front deraileur and shifter accommodate the extra ring? I'm very mechanical (built a couple motorcycles) but have never attempted to swap out a bicycle crankset. What should I expect to find at disassembly and what tools should I need. Any advice would be great! Thanks.

That's a fairly big project for such an old bike.

To make it look like a factory rig you will need a new crankset, bottom bracket, fromt and rear derailleurs. You may be able to "cheat" on the derailleurs because you'll never use the granny chainring with any but the largest rear cogs so don't need slack take up capability to handle the little/little.

If it was my bike and I wanted an easier hill climb gear, I'd probably just install a mountain bike freewheel and derailleur.

hills in boston? o.k. if you say so. where I live we have some doozies. one, for instance climbs 500' in less than a mile. If I didn't feel I needed one I wouldn't have asked.

Armenian said:

Why would you even bother.I have climed steep hills and never used the 3rd
Waste of space and extra weight you don't need. 2nd front 6th rear enough most hills.

sounds like more work than the simple fix I was hoping for. Thanks for the enlightenment. I just rediscovered cycling after a 20 year hiatus in a different, more hilly location. Maybe I'll leave the ol' gal the way she is (mint condition)save my pennies and buy a new one.

Retro Grouch said:

That's a fairly big project for such an old bike.

To make it look like a factory rig you will need a new crankset, bottom bracket, fromt and rear derailleurs. You may be able to "cheat" on the derailleurs because you'll never use the granny chainring with any but the largest rear cogs so don't need slack take up capability to handle the little/little.

If it was my bike and I wanted an easier hill climb gear, I'd probably just install a mountain bike freewheel and derailleur.

How 'bout a mountain bike cassette with bigger cogs?

if I did that, what about the shifter? each shift to a different rear cog (change of gears) 'clicks' at the shifter. Its currently a 6 speed cassette. would i need to change shifters or are 6 speed mtb cassettes available?

benkoostra said:

How 'bout a mountain bike cassette with bigger cogs?

Armenian said:

Why would you even bother.I have climed steep hills and never used the 3rd
Waste of space and extra weight you don't need. 2nd front 6th rear enough most hills.

I would like to agree with Armenian. My current set-up came with a tripple. I didnt know much about cycling and started riding alot. doing a lot of hilly routes in the sf bay area. With the tripple I developed a high cadence style and very little power. I was getting dropped by my friends on all hills especialy big ones! Now in my third year of cycling I have deamed the small ring off limits! I am able to do the same climbs in my middle ring and I am becoming a stronger cyclist. I now will never buy another bike with a tripple. just my 2 cents...

ej599 said:

if I did that, what about the shifter? each shift to a different rear cog (change of gears) 'clicks' at the shifter. Its currently a 6 speed cassette. would i need to change shifters or are 6 speed mtb cassettes available?

That's the beauty of this solution. New 14/34 freewheel, new chain and new mountain bike derailleur and you're good-to-go. Your existing shifters will work fine.

Retro Grouch said:

That's the beauty of this solution. New 14/34 freewheel, new chain and new mountain bike derailleur and you're good-to-go. Your existing shifters will work fine.

new freewheel - $19.95 - sheldonbrown.comfreewheels.htmlOpen ↗
new rear deraileur - $30.95 - sheldonbrown.comderailers rear.htmlOpen ↗
new chain - $18.95 - sheldonbrown.comchains.htmlOpen ↗

being able to climb that big ass hill? - priceless

I'm wondering why people think that just because they don't use or need a triple that others shouldn't use one.

Also, why they feel it has anything to do with the original question. But thanks for sharing. I, for one, will be sure to ask you for a proper spec. when I buy a new bike.

Camilo said:

I'm wondering why people think that just because they don't use or need a triple that others shouldn't use one.

Also, why they feel it has anything to do with the original question. But thanks for sharing. I, for one, will be sure to ask you for a proper spec. when I buy a new bike.

No one has said that he shouldn't use one. I think people are posting ideas that could save the OP a little money over changing everything out in order to accomidate a triple chainring.

benkoostra said:

No one has said that he shouldn't use one.

Except this person

Armenian said:

Why would you even bother.I have climed steep hills and never used the 3rd
Waste of space and extra weight you don't need. 2nd front 6th rear enough most hills.

ej599 said:

i was contemplating converting it to a triple chairing set up. Any advice would be great! Thanks.

saving time and money on an upgrade that may not be necessary probably falls into the "any advice would be great" catagory. But I really appriciate the lesson in "forum Etiquette" Sorry we took this thread so "off Topic" from the orriginal posters intended direction!!!!

Hey Camillo could you teach a little class on how propperly post on these forums???

quinn8it said:

saving time and money on an upgrade that may not be necessary probably falls into the "any advice would be great" catagory. But I really appriciate the lesson in "forum Etiquette" Sorry we took this thread so "off Topic" from the orriginal posters intended direction!!!!

Hey Camillo could you teach a little class on how propperly post on these forums???

Sure buddy!

Instead of saying (I paraphrase) "I don't need a triple, you don't either." You could have said:

Instead of the expense and hassle of such a major conversion on an older bike like that, you might be able to achieve your lower gearing goal by changing your small front chain ring for a smaller one and some larger sprokets on your rear cluster.

But you'd rather tell him that because you guys don't need lower gears, he doesn't so he shouldn't waste his time. You have absolutely no idea of the terrain he rides in, his age, physical condition or purpose for cycling. But you assume to advise him on his need for lower gearing, but not the technical solution to problem.

Glad to help.

Hmm.

That is what several people said.
But don't let that allow you to waste this perfectly bad mood you seem to be in.

Somebody needs a hug...🙄

I have to agree with most of the posters. The only time I shift to my granny gear is when I'm making sure it still works. If you want it, fine, but I feel you would be better served by a different freewheel or by improving your physical condition to the point where you don't need the granny gear. If you keep riding you will get there. BTW, did your 95 Grand Prix come with the 105 equipment on it or was that added later?

Hey ej599, in defense of Armenian, there are some decent hills just outside of Boston. Ever hear of Bunker Hill? Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes, etc.

Camilo said:

Sure buddy!

Instead of saying (I paraphrase) "I don't need a triple, you don't either." You could have said:

Instead of the expense and hassle of such a major conversion on an older bike like that, you might be able to achieve your lower gearing goal by changing your small front chain ring for a smaller one and some larger sprokets on your rear cluster.

But you'd rather tell him that because you guys don't need lower gears, he doesn't so he shouldn't waste his time. You have absolutely no idea of the terrain he rides in, his age, physical condition or purpose for cycling. But you assume to advise him on his need for lower gearing, but not the technical solution to problem.

Glad to help.

Hey "BUDDY" re-read my post! I never said he didnt need lower gears or a tripple. I simply stated that I bought a bike, it had a tripple, I used it, and have since learned that MY cycling has improved since I stopped using it. Thats it!

and one other thing BUDDY! if you really want to help... how bout directing your agression elsewhere. This was just a thread where some people were trying to help another person with some gearing suggestions.... You started the riff!!!

quinn8it said:

Hey "BUDDY" re-read my post! I never said he didnt need lower gears or a tripple. I simply stated that I bought a bike, it had a tripple, I used it, and have since learned that MY cycling has improved since I stopped using it. Thats it!

and one other thing BUDDY! if you really want to help... how bout directing your agression elsewhere. This was just a thread where some people were trying to help another person with some gearing suggestions.... You started the riff!!!

Take a deep breath. Someday you'll learn that people have legitimate reasons for low gearing and that's why they ask about how to make the conversion. You might even learn that what YOU need has nothing to do with what HE needs, and certainly has nothing to do with the question he asked.

Camilo said:

Take a deep breath. Someday you'll learn that people have legitimate reasons for low gearing and that's why they ask about how to make the conversion. You might even learn that what YOU need has nothing to do with what HE needs, and certainly has nothing to do with the question he asked.

I GIVE UP!
ej599: Good luck on the conversion, or what ever route you choose!

Camilo: you are an A-Hole! I dont need my post picked appart on the basis of whether I compitantly answered the original posters question. I simply stated an opinion, I let everyone know it was an opinion by finishing with "thats my 2cents" And I posted it because a person I have never met was contimplating a conversion that might be expensive and might take a lot of time, and I thought he should know that it might not be everything he dreamed when it was done, and might not be worth the effort. I was just trying to help out a fellow cycling brother, no other motive. Instead I (and everyone else who opens this post) got a lesson from an A-Hole about how we are supposed to behave on the Cycling forum... Thanks for the lesson, Ill be signing out for good!