tricross triple trouble or go compact? help

[colin jones]

hi all
ive had my tricross 2011 (2300) for a couple of years and countless troubles with the front mech not changing up to the top ring its been in and out of my l.b.s every other week to the point its embarrassing he says that the its being bent out of shape due to the internal cable routing cables have been changed every time it goes in he sets it up after a couple of rides im back in the same boat. no top ring its beyond a joke and its spoiling rides.
the l.b.s it a great shop and a renowned mechanic who im sure is not wrong in what he says ,i did ask if its worth changing the front mech but he didnt think it would sort it i also asked if it would be worth converting to a compact and he said it not worth the outlay if intend to change my bike

anyway heres what im asking
has any other tricross or triple riders had the same problem if so how did you sort it?

does anyone think its worth trying a new front mech maybe getting a 105 thinking it might be better quality?

switching to compact which components would i have to change and which could i get away with keeping
id need a big cassette as im a big fat knacker that climbs badly and once or twice (cough cough)the triple has saved me the walk of shame
thanks for any advice
col

 

[colin jones]

anyone??

 

[uclown2002]

Personally, I'd take it to another lbs for a second opinion before changing anything.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

hi all
ive had my tricross 2011 (2300) for a couple of years and countless troubles with the front mech not changing up to the top ring its been in and out of my l.b.s every other week to the point its embarrassing he says that the its being bent out of shape due to the internal cable routing cables have been changed every time it goes in he sets it up after a couple of rides im back in the same boat. no top ring its beyond a joke and its spoiling rides.
the l.b.s it a great shop and a renowned mechanic who im sure is not wrong in what he says ,i did ask if its worth changing the front mech but he didnt think it would sort it i also asked if it would be worth converting to a compact and he said it not worth the outlay if intend to change my bike

anyway heres what im asking
has any other tricross or triple riders had the same problem if so how did you sort it?

does anyone think its worth trying a new front mech maybe getting a 105 thinking it might be better quality?

switching to compact which components would i have to change and which could i get away with keeping
id need a big cassette as im a big fat knacker that climbs badly and once or twice (cough cough)the triple has saved me the walk of shame
thanks for any advice
col

Completely my personal opinion as an amateur bike mechanic, but I think your guy is talking a load of cobblers.

This sounds like a simple set up problem. I think your front mech is misaligned and my nasty suspicious side thinks that your LBS is making a good thing out of regularly changing the cables and/or persuading you to buy a new bike at some point in the future.

The only time I've had a serious problem with not being able to get a ring was when I fitted the wrong size bottom bracket and the mech couldn't shift across that far.

+1 for what @uclown2002 says and get a second opinion.

 

[Paul.G.]

Check out YouTube for how to guide on correct way of setting up and have a go yourself, what have you got to loose!!

 

[Brandane]

I have 2009 Tricross triple. It originally had sora shifters and derailleurs, which I never had any gear selection problems with. I know you say the lbs mechanic has a good reputation, but as with previous poster I can't see that this can be anything other than a set-up problem. Try the Shimano website for a download of the instruction leaflet for your particular version. Set up your front derailleur as per the EXACT way Shimano recommend.

Pay particular attention to the routing of the cable, height of derailleur in relation to big ring, angle of derailleur, setting of limit screws, and of course the cable tension.

 

[colin jones]

great thanks for all your replies i think its time to start fiddling i will get on shimanos website cheers

 

[Brandane]

great thanks for all your replies i think its time to start fiddling i will get on shimanos website cheers

Just re-read your post. The one bit I don't understand is why it seems to work ok for a couple of rides after being set up by lbs before it goes off again.
You say he fits new cables every time. Maybe the cable is stretching? New cables do that. Slack in cable means not enough tension for derailleur mech to push chain onto big ring (too tight and it won't fall onto small ring).
It's unlikely, but maybe he is using cables of such crap quality that they are over stretching within such a short period. Insist on genuine Shimano cables if you let him loose on your bike again, or better still - do it yourself, armed with Shimano set up instructions. For starters, you could try tightening the existing cable just to see if that IS the cause of your problem. Just ask if you don't know how to do that.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Just re-read your post. The one bit I don't understand is why it seems to work ok for a couple of rides after being set up by lbs before it goes off again.
You say he fits new cables every time. Maybe the cable is stretching? New cables do that. Slack in cable means not enough tension for derailleur mech to push chain onto big ring (too tight and it won't fall onto small ring).
It's unlikely, but maybe he is using cables of such crap quality that they are over stretching within such a short period. Insist on genuine Shimano cables if you let him loose on your bike again, or better still - do it yourself, armed with Shimano set up instructions. For starters, you could try tightening the existing cable just to see if that IS the cause of your problem. Just ask if you don't know how to do that.

This is where I would start, especially if its ok for a while.

 

[colin jones]

no sorry hes not replacing cables every time hes done cables once and made adjustments all other times its odd all the guys i ride with never have troubles at all but im luck to get through 2 rides i had trouble in the dartmoor classic half way any finshed on the bottom two rings thaknk god it was that way around

 

[mrandmrspoves]

I was working on a Tricross earlier this week and it had the same problem of reluctance in going up onto the largest chain ring. Close inspection identified a definite wear groove on the inner edge of the Shimano front mech and also a rather worn chain. Check the inner plate of your mech for wear. I cannot see how internal cable routing has any relevance on a front mech particularly when going up the gears.

 

[colin jones]

thanks alot mate if i replace the front mech id put on say a 105 spec would that run ok with whats already on the bike?
my l.b.s says its bending out of shape so if i replaced it i would like to go up a couple of specs hoping the quality would be better

 

[mrandmrspoves]

The Tricross I was working on had a special mounting brazed to the down tube for the front derailleur to bolt onto- so if yours is the same it would need a derailleur suitable for that mount. It would also need to have a big enough range to cope with a triple crank set and be suitable for bottom pull ( assuming your cable pulls the mech downwards. .

 

[PatrickPending]

Hi, just to answer one bit of your question - what would you need to change to convert to a compact/double -New chainset (that was obvious!) new bottom bracket. Your rear derailleur will most likely be fine as will your front - though you would need to adjust the limit screws. Shifters will be ok - I run triple front shifters on a double bike and they work fine.....I think that's it (if I've missed anything hopefully someone will correct me).
If I were doing that I'd probably change the chain and cassette and possibly jockey wheels on the rear mech depending on how worn they re....but that's just me.
As to whether to do it or not that's up to you - personally I find doubles easier - but then again I don't have anything more than short 15% hills to go up - can cope with a 53/39 on my nice bike, got 50/34 on my commuter - and old Carlton - that was a good set up for those bikes and the hills I'd encounter on the commute (max 10%) were a doddle.
Good luck!

 

[PatrickPending]

Oh I might add if you have a big cassette - bigger than the one you have now - you would need to change the chain and cassette (duh!) - and check the capability of your rear mech - though I'd guess it would be a long cage mech (being a triple).