2 or 3 chain rings?

[font=Times New Roman]I purchased a road bike in July of 2003. I got a triple chain ring. And I needed the small ring to ride up some hills. It’s 17 months later now, and I can’t remember the last time I used my small ring gear. I’m considerably stronger than I was in 2003.[/font]

[font=Times New Roman]So I think you have 3 choices that are relatively easy to accomplish.[/font]

[font=Times New Roman]1) Do nothing – keep riding – and eventually you will not need the lower gears[/font]

[font=Times New Roman]2) Swap the cassette for one that has a larger cog. A 27 may help some, and should work with no problems. A 32 would help more, but you may need a longer chain, and I’m not 100% sure if your rear derailleur cage will be long enough (probably will be).[/font]

[font=Times New Roman]3) Switch to a compact double chain ring. 53/39 is what you have now. 50/36 or 50/34 should be possible. You may need to shorten the chain, but everything should work OK.[/font]

pauly999 said:

I have 2, a 39 & 53, and a 13-25 cassette. I often find on tougher hills that I wished I had one or two lower gears to go to, and think maybe I should have gone with 3 chain rings. I investigated getting a smaller small chain ring, but it appears that 39 is the lowest possible for a 2 chain ring Shimano 105 set. I am also looking at getting another cassette made up - maybe 14-27. I am wondering what if there's anyone else out there having a simillar problem, or just generally others' experiences with 3 chain rings.

You can get a 37 small ring. You can also get a custom casette with a 30 big cog that your derailer will shift. You can also get a compact double with a 33 or 34 small ring.