Help... triple optional question

[KnottedYet]

My Surly CC came with a standard double. It had the bolt spots for a triple, though. So I spent $19 for a granny ring, and my LBS stuck it onto the bike for free. (essentially I upgraded from a double to a triple for $19.) My shifters are compatible for double or triple, so there was no issue there.

[Triskeliongirl]

I would say it depends on the bike shop. If its a high end bike and they want to make the sale they may do it for no charge. But, if its already been reduced, or other things need to also be changed like shifters, then they charge up to the difference in price for the parts and labor. Again, depends on how badly they wanna make the sale. But I am sure they could order her exactly what she wants and as others said then there should be no surcharges (or if they have unbuilt bike in stocks they may be willing to swap out some parts and build it to her specs if they can use the still new parts on other builds).

[Eden]

That's unusual Knot - most of the time changing to a triple involves at least a new, wider, bottom bracket and often a new front derailleur. (and that's assuming you are using friction shifters - if you have STI's you sometimes have to change at least one of those to - though some are double/triple compatible)

I'm also thinking its was odd that your bike was running around naked of its outer ring..... I think they may have done it that way since its a cross bike and its spec'd with a pretty small big ring. It may be difficult to get a 48 tooth ring with the right bolt pattern to use on double.

[KnottedYet]

Sorry! I meant the inner ring (the littlest of the three) is what they put on.

They did end up switching the Shimano front der for a Campy with a longer cage (no charge) to make it shift better, but that was all they had to do. It shifted ok with the Shimano, but better with the Campy. My barcons handled the switch no problem.

The Surly is what I rode when we went from Kenmore up to 2020 Bike shop. I really loved my new granny going up that one road (who's name starts with an "I" and I can't remember) on Capitol Hill.

There might have been a spacer or something on the bike when it had a double. I know the shop pulled the bits apart when they installed the little ring, but beyond that I know nothing.

Edit: Recycled Cycles did the switch for me. Free Range had also said they could throw a little ring on no problem, so maybe Surly puts the Cross Check together in a way that makes it easy to add?