Chainset Upgrade?

[Phil B]

I currently have a Boardman Comp Hybrid with a 48/34T set on it. I am wondering if it would be worthwhile upgrading to 30.42.52 or similar?

I only ever use the lower set as it currently stands and more than happy with this but find that on the steeper climbs even on the lowest I can struggle and wonder if by dropping to a lower config this would make things more manageable

I use the bike mainly on paths /tracks /roads and as say the speed is not issue (on runs I ave 10mph)

 

[Scoosh]

If you have not been cycling regularly for very long, I'd say wait and see - because you will get stronger and you'll find that there are times when you want to go faster too !

Going from a Double to a Triple can produce it's own snags too, so might not be worth the cost.

I should point out that I am no expert though, riding a hybrid triple and a road double - with no need to change them ! ... except for going from 12-27 to 11-32

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

According to the current spec the Hybrid Comp seems to have 50/34 up front and 11-26 at the back, depending on the hills as well as fitness level I can see why one might want lower gears.

If it has the fsa vero looking at the pic I don't think one can install rings much smaller than 34. However instead of changing the chainset altogether since an sram X5 rear mech depending on vintage can handle cassettes at least up to 34T and depending on cage length version a wrap capacity of 37T/45T - a 11-32 cassette will definitely work, and a 34 front 32 back would give you a much lower gear than a 30 front 26 back.

Imho if possible it is always better to fiddle with the cassette than the chainset/bb, even though one would need a new, longer chain, unless you are concerned about bigger gaps between gears it will most likely work out cheaper and simpler and neater, and rear shifts are always so much sweeter than front shifts, especially under load or going uphill.

 

[Peteaud]

+1 for changing the rear cassette.

But 34 front to 26 will get you up hills once you get stronger so give it a bit of time.

 

[Phil B]

Sorry should have checked before hand the current set is a Truvativ and its 50/36

 

[Tomba]

If it were me I'd change the cassette and chain (maybe rear mech if needed). Its what I did. Oh and listen to RecordAce he knows his stuff