Hi everyone!
So I'm relatively new to cycling and especially to bikepacking and bike wrenching. I started ~3 years ago and went on several weekenders and two longer trips. The last one was during spring in Scotland, which was a total blast, but also the moment I realised my current gear ratio was absolutely not adapted for uphills with a loaded bike.
I have a Trek 720 from 2016, bought secondhand 3 years ago, equipped with a RD Shimano 105, cassette 11-32 and FD with a 50/34.
My question is: how to lower the lowest gear ratio to make it suitable for uphill routes? Ideally to get it down to 0,8.
I know that with the current transmission components, I could put a 11-34 cassette without having to change anything else. But how to improve it even further? This is where my knowledge stops.
How possible would it be to change the crankset? From what I saw, it doesn't seem that a crankset compatible with 105 goes lower than 34.
I was also thinking of replacing the rear derailleur with something that allows me to mount a cassette with way bigger sprockets, would that however be possible while keeping my current FD and crankset?
What do you guys think?
Obviously I know buying a new bike would be an easy option but I really love riding this one and would like to first comtemplate my options.
Thanks in advance!
by Badtaste0
4 Comments
You can get a GRX derailleur that’s compatible, and should go up to 40t
Just thinking quickly, could you change the cassette to a larger one? Depends what max teeth the derailleur can take. 40 would be quite large, 32/42 I have feels really gentle.
I can see your small chainring can be easily changed, so maybe change it to 32/30?
Fit A GRX chain set, which can be 46/30. You will probably change your chain to a new/ shorter one at the same time
Triple crankset with a 28T or even down to 24 T, but you’ll need a longer cage deraileur.