Changing gear setup to get a lower gear

Steve Gould thinks he is not as strong as he used to be and wants to fit lower gears for the climbs, his problem and question is how he can do this without breaking the bank. This is what we think he could do:

Question:
Lower gears would be a real help on hills – I am 62 and not strong in the legs.
The existing set-up is 12-26 and 39-53 – not the latest Dura Ace –the rear derailleur is marked Dura ace, the front chain ring its marked SGX 53B on the large front sprocket which is integral with the crank which has Durace written on it. The inner chain wheel may be 105 as it has SGX 105 39 marked on the inner chain wheel. Obvious solutions are (i) a larger rear sprocket – which would mean a new chain and perhaps a new derailleur (ii) a triple at the front – which could mean even more – a new front derailleur as well as the rear one and the new chain – maybe a new bottom bracket as well… (iii) a smaller front small chain-wheel …

The local bike shop said to change the front or rear sprocket would cost a fortune ($500 plus) which is 30% of the cost of the bike.
What would you recommend?

Hi Steve.

The triple chain set is probably the most expensive way of lowering your gear ratio as you would need the chain set, bottom bracket, chain, rear derailleur, triple gear shifter and possibly front derailleur, so let’s forget that one!

Anew cassette with bigger sprockets is a little cheaper, you would need a new chain and depending on the size of the sprockets you might have to get a long arm rear derailleur to go with the bigger cassette. This could be the best answer, but check how big a sprocket and gear difference your rear derailleur will take, and then decide.

Bottom Bracket Replacement

The other possibility could be replacing the chain set with a compact chain set this would give you an inner chain ring of either 34 or 36 which would lower you gearing substantially. From you description I’m not sure which Dura-Ace chain set you have and they have changed a few times over the last few years. You need to know which bottom bracket system you have and get a compact chain set to fit that bracket.

With a compact chain set you would be able to use your current rear derailleur, bottom bracket, gear shifter and cassette, you would probably have to shorten the chain and at worst have to replace the front derailleur, but maybe not as many normal front derailleur’s will work adequately with a compact set-up, you need to try it and see if it changes well and doesn’t rub on the bottom of the mechanisms cage.

I think the compact is your answer, but find out which bottom bracket you have and then compare prices of chain set that will fit you bracket.