Offering the Sofrider with a triple crank?

[Charles.Plager]

Hi,

I just upgraded my Sofrider to a triple crank (Shimano Alivio M411 Hybrid Crankset (Black 170mm X 48/38/28)) which did require a new bottom bracket (Shimano BB-UN26 cartridge BB, JIS - 68x123mm). It cost me a little less than $60 in parts and actually wasn't that hard to install once I realized I needed the new bottom bracket.

Even when not pulling a trailer, I find the granny gear nice. When pulling a trailer up hills, it makes a huge
difference.

The left shifter is already for a triple. Assuming the current double crank and bottom bracket cost nothing (which clearly isn't the case), it couldn't cost you guys more than $60 more to offer the triple. Personally, I think a triple makes a lot more sense than the double crank.

I do understand that it just isn't feasible for you guys to have too many options. I'd love to see you guys offer the triple. If it came down to it, I'd recommend no longer offering the double crank in favor of the triple (although you may be able to manage doing both).

Just my $0.02. It doesn't affect me either way since I've already got mine, but I think it would be a nice option for future Sofrider riders.

Cheers,
Charles

My blog entries about changing the crank.
http://recumbentquant.blogspot.com/2012/02/almost-installed-new-crank.html
http://recumbentquant.blogspot.com/2012/03/new-crankset-installed.html

p.s. Is it true for everyone that the word verification doesn't show up until the second time you try and post?

 

[jwitten]

triple gearing?

Hi Charles,

Could you clarify which tooth-count you now have on your Sofrider. In your text, the spec was 48/38/28, but the Amazon link you provided for the bottom bracket indicates 42/32/22. I live in the hilly Pacific Northwest near Seattle, and I really need the lower gearing for getting around. Not sure if the 28 tooth is small enough. Which one do you have? I believe the stock Sofrider has a 53/39, so even the smaller 28 would be an improvement. I'm not sure I'd want to go from a 52 down to a 42 on the larger ring to get down to a small 22 though. I suppose they are not so expensive that I couldn't try them both over time.

Anyway, please let me know.

Thanks,

Jeff
JeffWittenfeld@gmail.com

 

[jwitten]

update...

After reading a few more posts, I read that you replaced the 28 tooth on the 48/38/28 with a 22. Is that your current configuration??

If so, could you supply a link for the 22 tooth that you purchased. I see a few on Amazon, but am not exactly sure which one to order to ensure it is compatable with the crank that you spec'd.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[jwitten]

Another thought...

I wonder how mounting a 451 wheel on the front of the Sofrider would work? I suppose it would lower the effective gear ratio a bit?!? Perhaps the 28 ring would be fine, with no need for the 22. Of course the high end would be reduced as well. Not sure how the bike would ride with a lower front end and the steeper fork angle though?? I suppose the DualDrive II hub would add another dimension as well, although 'd need another shifter and clickbox, but they aren't too expensive. The Sofrider is also configured for adding a front disk brake.

Hmm... it all seems possible. Perhaps I'll take the 451 off my Quest tomorrow and give it a shot. The fork width looks the same.

 

[Charles.Plager]

Hi Jeff,
I very much like

Hi Jeff,

I very much like having triples on my Cruzbikes and strongly recommend them. The original Sofrider is a 48/34 double (I believe)

On my Cruzigami Mantis, I have FSA Gossamer triple crank (hopefully link works -Nashbar site is undergoing maintenance now) w.here I replaced the granny with a Sugino 24T ring.

On my Sofrider, I use Shimano Alvio M311 with this Shimano BB-UN26 bottom bracket and this 22T ring. so I have a 48/38/22

On both bikes, I use an N-Gear jump stop which I find helps since the difference between the middle and granny gears is so large.

If I were to do it again, I'd probably put the FSA Gossamer triple on the Sofrider, but the Alvio triple works well too.

If you have a 24T granny, that is a 41% lower gear (34/24-1) than the standard Sofrider. 22T granny is a 54% lower gear. In both cases, this is a lower gear than the 451 Quest and you don't have to worry about changing the angle or not having your Quest

Cheers,
Charles

 

[Vargas]

Shimano triples

Hi Charles,

I also have a Sofrider (V2K) and use the Alivio groupset.
I understood you upgraded to a triple 48/38/28 and later replaced the 28T for a 22T so now you have a 48/38/22 triple.
But what have you got for a cassette? How many teeth?

I have a triple 44/32/22 and a cassette 11/13/15/17/20/23/26/30/34.
At some very strong hills I feel the 22/34 isn't enough and I could use a lighter relation.
I'll replace the 22T for a 20T and end up with a 44/32/20 triple. What do you think about that?

So far I have found these suppliers for a 20T 64BCD:
http://www.mountain-goat.de/product_info.php?language=en&products_id=9
http://www.actiontec.us/ti&steel.htm
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00CDW9CC0/ref=dp_olp_0?ie=UTF8&condition=all

BRs,

Vargas

 

[jwitten]

Thanks Charles!

I've got it now.

Thanks for taking the time to clarify everything... and the links! I'll be ordering all the parts today!

Perhaps I'll soon be able to get up my driveway without dismounting.

One last thing: Did you have any difficulty changing out the bottom bracket. It looks like there are Allen bolts on each side of the crank. Is it really as easy as just unscrewing the allen bolts on the crank, or is it a bit more complex? I read about heating it up with a heat-gun or blow dryer for expansion. Any other tricks or tips. I should have the parts by next weekend.

Thanks in advance!

Jeff

 

[Charles.Plager]

Hi Vargas and Jeff,
I have

Hi Vargas and Jeff,

I have been running the standard 11-32 cassette on my Sofrider (which I just replaced with this Shimano HG41 8 speed 11-32 cassette. If you can find a 20T that fits on your crank (and 64 BCD shoud do it), that is 9% lower and 32-20 shift is much less radical than the 38-22 shift I do. I don't see any reason not to do it (except cost but it should be cheap enough). You can also get 11-36 or 12-36T cassettes (like this Shimano 9 speed cassette). If you do both the cassette and 20T swap, you get 16% lower lowest gear. You'll need new shifers for 9 speed, but your derailleur and hub are (probably?) good to go.

As far as tools, I have this Nashbar toolkit. It has crank puller, bottom bracket tool, chain whip, chain tool. I've used to swap cassettes, change bottom brackets, pull cranks, true wheels. Besides a cable cutter (I got these XLC cutters), this kit does a great job of getting you what you need to really get up and running. I did use a hair dryer to get the original bottom bracket out and it worked flawlessly (I can't tell you whether it would have worked without because Doug and Kim said to use it, so I never tried without).

Have fun!

Cheers,
Charles