Or a RoadLink to fit a new 11-34t cassette and chain. https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/products/roadlink

Yeah, the 130 BCD stuff isn’t ideal for any hills. I’d suggest a new crankset, ideally something from this list: https://www.cyclingabout.com/low-climbing-gears-road-bike-crankset/

Just realized that my 130 bcd crank won’t fit anything smaller than a 38t chainring. There goes that idea! Looks like a cassette swap is my only option unless I want to buy a new crank.

Well that’s good news, because I’m using bar end shifters and the front is friction. I was concerned that the width of the cage might be more narrow and I’d have trouble with adjusting the trim, but heck… this sounds good! Thanks for the speedy reply. Cheers!

They can be interchanged in many cases (you’ve got to have a bit of luck on your side with the combo). It’s not usually a function of the chain width, but rather the cable-pull ratio from 9-speed shifter to 10-speed front derailleur that counts.

I post this in this discussion line because it’s mostly a touring GEARING question (I’ll get to that!)

Let’s pay attention to these givens: i.e. responses should please address mostly gearing/groupset rather than debate other things and go off on long tangents.

Bikepacking…….Bike Touring…….call it what you want (that’s a whole different topic).

For the majority of our touring riding…….not thinking a ton of technical single track, but might run into some occasionally. Mostly gravel, two-tracks, pavement, cobble, etc. But yet……single track capable (more-so without the load). Thinking racks with smaller panniers (Ortlieb gravel’s- front & rear)…….not thinking bikepacks. Racks with some capability for also putting stuff on top. (so not really low-riding in front). Willing to add a few pounds to the gear for comfort/convenience……so NOT ultra type set-up. In my mind the ultra is a different rig altogether…….so I’d set up a different bike/rig to go lighter-weight singletrack shredding with the guys (perhaps a 1x). Thinking anywhere from a week (only 1 set panniers or perhaps just a dry bag on the top of rack)……..to perhaps month+ longer tours (both panniers and other places on bike). Thinking unsupported……yes camping with the lightweight gear…..not totally credit cards.

Be sort of nice to get same bikes for both her and I…..around 54cm and I’m tall, so 60-61 cm. (I know, I know…..can make arguments against this same-bke thing). I’ve got them all now- road, cross, mtb, tri…..but no touring yet. She’s got road.

We are both in fairly good physical shape & riders. Kids are gone…..we can step back from fulltime work a bit more…..so we’ve now got some time to tour more. I’m selling the tricked-out tri so I’ve got some $$ to spend on this project. TONS of bike to select from out there. I ride Specialized, Salsa and some others and my LBS is Trek. I think today’s aluminum can handle our type of touring (and can save a few lbs over steel). As I said, I have an assortment of bikes…….so my inclination in an on-off road tourer is a 2″ tire at min. As I said…..the other set-up mentioned above is 3″+. So, I’m thinking 29’r touring. I think hardtail is OK…no suspension stuff. Also thinking the comfort/loaded-bike stability of some sort of flat-bar Vs drops. Looking at the assortment of NEW (not thinking used) touring/adventure bikes out there……the stock components are deficient in many/some areas……….SO I’M THINKING A BUILD. Also remember I’m talking racks, front dynamo (likely an SP), very good wheels (likely a Velocity Blunt SS- it’s 26.6-30 wide & do a 32 or 36 spoke), disc brakes, appropriate gearing (29’r here so Mtb not road), easy to maintain/fix (even in remoter places- but no I’ll not buy 26″), etc…….the wish list goes on.

Sorry for rambling……but many on forums ask for more “background” info.

With the LBS Trek and my mechanic there……..I’m leaning towards Trek 920…….that frame to build. Use their F & R racks (they are decent)…throw some fenders on. Keep the alum fork that comes with. Thinking Jones Loop H bar and keeping bar-mount goodies off the side a bit to keep a bit of possible front aero hand position. Like that bar’s possible multi positions for hands. Continuing……

Disc brakes……..go hydraulic or mechanical disc? Web forums tilt me somewhat toward mechanical…..but modern technologies and my LBS guy tilt to hydraulic. Opinions? Also, which brand & model?

THE MEAT HERE……..WHAT TO DO FOR CRANK, SHIFTERS, CASSETT?

(please skip the discussion of Rohloff & Pinion)

Crank- I’m thinking a double (sorry for those triple arguments out there)…..and remember the single track bike mentioned above could be my 1x). With today’s components…..we should be able to do what we want with a dbl.

Shifters- mtb type stuff…..trigger… no thanks on anything bar-end.

Derailleur…….got to be long to handle the gears……and the 920 has the chainstay.

Cassett- thinking 10 speed. Not opposed to others. And would consider 40T plus options.

Gearing- Low- how low do you go? Is 19-20 gear inches low enough? CHECKING SPEC’S OF MANY OF THE NEW “TOURING” STUFF OUT THERE………VERY FEW HAVE ENOUGH LOW END IN THE STD COMPONENTS. I know…..you’re going to ask me what’s the biggest hill you expect? What’s your total weight? etc. etc… Who knows?………picture the worst (and I’m not against walking up something!). I’m just say’n…….what would you do?

Gearing- High- remember, could be riding this unloaded (not on tour, or after setting up camp). Need something at the top to have fun! So over 100 inches or over at least?

Think “mid-level” priced components……but would spend more for just the right set-up. Sort of leaning towards SRAM. And remember in all of this………if something brakes……I need to be able to have it fixed fairly easy in the developed world. Either exact replacement…..or something that will get me by.

OK……….WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN THIS BUILD SITUATION?

THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT.

STEVE,,,,,,,

The frame breaks into three separate parts using S&S couplers. That said, I just use the front three couplers and put the entire tandem into a regular cardboard bike box.