[dirdick]

I've got a Giant OCR-2 triple and want to change over to a compact crank 50/34 but am not sure what bottom bracket and crankset combo will work for a reasonable price. I went to the LBS yesterday and they told me to buy a new bike. So, can someone help me out on what will work??

[Industry_Hack]

Go back to that LBS and ask them for the name of a good shop to buy a new bike from.

Does your bike come in a compact version? If so, check the specs for the BB on that model.

[dirdick]

The bike seems to always be a triple, so I guess the starting pt is the bottom bracket??? Online search gives says that that particular year OCR-2 has a BB-7420, but, I'm not sure what that means exactly. I also don't know anyone who has gone over to the compact crankset - I guess I can go to one of the bike shops in a nearby town (22 mi away) where the people are a little nicer. (The LBS was taken over by the owner's grandson so that may be part of the attitude issue ... )

[Industry_Hack]

For this one, it would be worthwhile to speak with a knowledgeable shop.

[flanderscycling]

What's wrong with the triple?

[BlazingPedals]

To me, compacts are nothing but a marketing ploy for people who need a lower gear than a road double offers but are too vain to install a triple or a wider-range cassette. Or, in the other direction, you really, really need to save 30 grams and are willing to give up two low gears and a high gear to do it.

But... if you've got your heart set on it, why not get a new 2-piece, external-BB set? Then you won't have to worry about matching the BB because it's included.

[flanderscycling]

Originally Posted by BlazingPedals

To me, compacts are nothing but a marketing ploy for people who need a lower gear than a road double offers but are too vain to install a triple or a wider-range cassette.

That's why i asked what could be wrong with it?

[Burr]

Why do you want a shorter crank?
I have a triple with long cranks that will hit when I power though a corner. I also have a triple with a Bio Ring on my touring bike for those wonderful long climbs on California 101!!!

Sounds like you need someone to setup your bike.

My .02 cents

[retromike3]

What I did was to get a compact(94 mm bolt) triple and put it on my road bike. I have a new' but old spaced eight speed rear hub with a 12-32 rear cog set up and a 22-32-46 front chainrings. This gives me a low gear of about 16 inches and a high gear of over a hundred and three inches. I have been climbing some really steep hills lately and its nice to have a "bail out" chainring to drop into because its easer to ride the right low gear than walk the bike up the hill.

last time I did that ride I did it with the 32-26

I was using a 35-52 double with a 12-26 cassette but it was not low enough to get my feeble self up those grades lately.

I really like the ramps and pins in the new chain rings because they make shifting so much easier. The rear derailleur is a SACHS New Success made by Campy but set up with Shimano spacing, B.I.T.D. nobody had a eight speed indexed drive train so SACHs commissioned Campy to design and make there new system. I still have the original New Successes front derailleur but I have replaced it with a newer "C" braze-on derailleur because its a better fit for my smaller inner chainrings.

Mike

[Burr]

Originally Posted by flanderscycling

That's why i asked what could be wrong with it?

How much of the year can you ride over there?

Do you own a bike shop?

Would you please fill in your profile?

Thanks