Convert triple cassette to double cassette front derailleur on Giant FCR 3

Rob87

image.jpg

Hey all,

On my 2008 Giant FCR 3 I have a triple cassette front derailleur. All the parts are Shimano sora. I never use the full range of gears and like the idea of a more compact setup. Is it possible to swap the front derailleur on my bike for one with a double cassette?

Thanks for sharing your wisdom!

Rob

bcmf

Rob87 wrote: »

image.jpg

Hey all,

On my 2008 Giant FCR 3 I have a triple cassette front derailleur. All the parts are Shimano sora. I never use the full range of gears and like the idea of a more compact setup. Is it possible to swap the front derailleur on my bike for one with a double cassette?

Thanks for sharing your wisdom!

Rob

You will only need to change the crankset from the triple to double (3 rings to 2 rings)if you want to change the chainrings to a different size ie larger chainrings.

A bitof adjusting of the limit screws on the front mech will be needed.
Your lbs should be able to do it.

Buzwaldo

Not that mechanically minded myself, but I'm pretty sure if the changers and derailleurs you have will be ok if adjusted for a double set-up. Instead of having 3 different 'settings' on the derailleur for the 3 chainrings,you just need two. By adjusting the limiter screws on the mech, this can be achieved. Any bike mechanic could do this in minutes I think.

kenmc

I replaced the chainset on fcr 2 with a compact, leaving everything else triple, all's well.

Rob87

kenmc wrote: »

I replaced the chainset on fcr 2 with a compact, leaving everything else triple, all's well.

That's good to know, I'm happy to leave the gear leavers etc as they are. Would I need to get Sora parts to replace it or would any second hand parts do?

Is chain reaction cycles the best place to get parts like this? Or would the lbs be able to get the parts easier.

Thanks for all your help.

Rob

Rob87

I think this is what I need to get - it says 9 speed in the description though and my derailleur has 8 gears. Could that be a problem?


http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=43207

kenmc

pretty sure that'd do fine

lescol

The picture of your bike shows a square taper fit, the link refers to a crankset that requires an outboard bottom bracket like this:- http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=67221

If you go for the crankset then change the bottom bracket, you'll require a crank puller and BB removal tool to remove what you have and a hollowtech tool like this http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=10179 to fit the new parts.

However, this http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=78792 will fit a square taper BB.

Rob87

Hi Lescol,

Thanks for that - it's great to be able to get advice from people that know what there talking about.

I'll drop in the my LBS during the week as I would be getting them to make the change for me. I''ll either order the parts online or get them to if they can get them at a good price.

Thanks again for the help.

Rob

kenmc

FWIW I can't imagine them being happy to fit parts bought elsewhere, but maybe they will. Depends on the shop.

Rob87

Thats a fair point, in the case the parts are not readily available form their normal suppliers I'd buy them online. Even if the LBS are more expensive, it should work out cheaper to get the parts from them if they are fitting it as otherwise i'm sure the labour charge would go way up.