double to tripple

[TsPoet]

What is involved in switching from a double crank to a triple or a compact? Would I need a new derailure, or bottom bracket, or...?

I'm still looking for my perfect road bike. Missed an opportunity to buy an Orbea Lobular from my LBS for a steal. I note there is one on ebay - it has a double chainring (53-39 ) neither a compact nor a triple - I'm sure I'd need either a compact or a triple. It's a 10 speed Ultegra groupo.

thanks,

[bcipam]

Best to talk to a mechanic about this. Just depends on your bike and components and what you are looking for. Usually to go from double to triple you will need the new front chain ring, a longer chain and new derailleur plus there are lots of adjustments. Not all bikes can accomodate the change. You could try a compact crank which will give you some more climbing power but you lose power settings.

[Eden]

I looked into going the opposite direction (triple to double) and was told I'd need to get a new bottom bracket and probably new derailluers as well.

[Mags...]

I've recently looked at this (double to triple or compact). To go from double to triple, it looks like you need to change the whole groupset, depends on what levers etc. you start with, eg. Shimano Ultegra or DuraAce you need to change the STI levers, the cranks, the chain, the bottom bracket, and prob. derailleurs and even the cables. Plus you need some tools, maybe a crank puller and a BB remover, depending on what cranks you've got on the bike already.

If you go to a Shimano compact double, you may only need to buy the crank as it comes with an integrated bottom bracket (you'd have to check if your 'cups' are suitable), and then i've read you only need to raise the front derailleur 5mm. I'm not sure about what tools you'll need.

The compact looks to be a much cheaper option and will produce almost same results as going to a triple. Depending on what cassette you have, you'll lose a gear at the top end, but if you don't go screaming down hills at 60kph on your big chainring regularly, you might not miss it anyway. The gears you get at the bottom end will also depend on what cassette you put with it. You can use whatever you've already got, but a 12-27 cassette will give you the lowest gears for going up hills.

I've only read up on this as I'm seriously thinking of doing this myself, so I'm not sure if I'm right. I'll go from double to compact double and also change to the 12-27 cassette. I could find when I do it, that it's not so straight-forward.

mags...

[TsPoet]

Thanks, the replies were what I expected, not what I'd hoped, but what I expected. At least there is maybe the option of going to a compact.
I also appreciate no one pointing out that I can't spell triple.

[bike4ever]

We put a compact crankset on a customers bike recently. He was moving from a traditional Dura Ace 9spd double. All we changed was the crankset, bottom bracket, and new chain. Shimano's compact does not come with a bottom bracket. We made minor adjustments to the front derailleur. Everything works great.

[summer]

What is involved in switching from a double crank to a triple or a compact? Would I need a new derailure, or bottom bracket, or...?

I'm still looking for my perfect road bike. Missed an opportunity to buy an Orbea Lobular from my LBS for a steal. I note there is one on ebay - it has a double chainring (53-39 ) neither a compact nor a triple - I'm sure I'd need either a compact or a triple. It's a 10 speed Ultegra groupo.

thanks,

I ride an Orbea mitis (it's brilliant, by the way). I got it with Ultegra 10spd (53-39 in front, 12-23 in back), and I replaced the front with a 50-36 Bonty carbon compact and a 12-27 cassette behind. All I needed to change was the BB (which came with the crankset) and the chain (same kind of chain, but a new casstte so a new chain). The front and rear mechs are still normal Ultegra doubles, but get a trusted expert to make the adjustments. Now I can climb anything the Scottish Highlands throws at me, and I've used the bike for road racing as well and haven't been caught short with the 50-12 in sprints or descents either. A great way to go. Good luck!