In article <
[email protected]>, florin <
[email protected]> wrote:
>Is it possible (and practically feasible) to add a 3rd, small, chainring to a Giant TCR 2? It has
>only two, and it is hard going uphill.
Yes, what you do is replace the crankset, bottom bracket, and front derailleur, often the rear
derailleur as well, sometimes the chain.
One cheaper alternative is to replace only the cassette cogs - if you have a bike equipped with a
short-cage Shimano rear derailleur then you should be able to install a 12-27 cogset which might be
a little lower than you have.
Or you can also replace the cassette cogs and the rear derailleur, going to a mountain bike
derailleur such as Deore LX, and installing a wide-range MTB cassette such as a 11-32. New chain
also required for that, but don't have to replace cranks or front derailleur, very easy conversion.
Depending on which crankset you have, you may also be able to replace your 39-tooth small
chainring with a 38. Doesn't work on all 130mm BCD crank arms though as the spider sticks up too
far on some of them.
--Paul