THE DRIVETRAIN
Perhaps the most difficult to spec due to the limited options avaiable for touring bikes these days, I've outlined a range of drivetrains for several different set-ups.
This is a black hole of considerations. To keep things as straight-forward as possible, I'm going to start with a 9-speed drvetrain. That is: a 9-speed triple front crankset, 9-speed cassette, 9-speed rear derailleur, and 9-speed bar-end shifters.
Also, I'm not condering Rohlof, Pinion, or Shimano internal hubs. I'm just not interested in that sort of componentry. (I'm not looking at belt drives either.) I like simple and easy to work on gear. It's what I know. I've got a small set of bikes and it's nice to have interchangeable parts.
I've been using a 9-speed drive-train for nearly 20 years and I've yet to find a system with as practical range of gearing. I've several brands to consider for the crankset and rear derailleur, but I'll be looking at primarily Shimano for the cassette (as well as the chain). There are also several brands of bar-end/downtube shifters to consider.
Also, I'm not condering Rohlof, Pinion, or Shimano internal hubs. I'm just not interested in that sort of componentry. (I'm not looking at belt drives either.) I like simple and easy to work on gear. It's what I know. I've got a small set of bikes and it's nice to have interchangeable parts.
I've been using a 9-speed drive-train for nearly 20 years and I've yet to find a system with as practical range of gearing. I've several brands to consider for the crankset and rear derailleur, but I'll be looking at primarily Shimano for the cassette (as well as the chain). There are also several brands of bar-end/downtube shifters to consider.
Note: I am currently investigating 10-speed doubles and 10 speed triples(?), but so far I have yet to find one that has the range of the 9-speed triple. Also, I will not be considering anything from the latest Shimano line of CuesTM components.
Cranksets
I've decided to only consider cranksets that utilize square-taper bottom brackets. Having used square-taper, OctaLink, and Hollow-Tech style bottom brackets, I've simply found square-taper the most reliable. I understand that square-taper BBs are heavier, but I'm not concerned with weight.
With that said, I also want to exploit the wide-range capabilities of a triple crankset. I've been using them for nearly 50 years and I just like'em. Listed below are the cranksets for consideration.
With that said, I also want to exploit the wide-range capabilities of a triple crankset. I've been using them for nearly 50 years and I just like'em. Listed below are the cranksets for consideration.
FIRST CHOICE
Brand: Spa Cycles
Not the cheapest, but very practical. Spa Cycles "top-of-the-line"; designed from years of touring experience. Great looking, highly rated with many chainring options.
Brand: Rivendell
Classic design, but very, very expensive. Popular in US with "country bikes" — a particular notion in the US market. If I were going full-out Rivendell, this would be the only choice.
Brand: Velo Orange
Classic design, but very expensive. Very popular with the neo-vintage builds and a serious contender.
Brand: Thorn
Classic brand & design, but expensive. Popular with UK tourists and Thorn enthusists
Brand: Temple
Classic design from British brand who seem to be building classic styled bikes. Unknown reliability?
Brand: Spa Cycles
A slightly less expensive model of the TD-2. The folks at Spa Cycles introduced this crankset as a more affordable TD-2.
Brand: Stronglite
Reasonably priced, well-known brand. I've been using one of these on my 1979 TREK for 20 years. Solid performer.
Brand: SunRace
Modern design and quite affordable. Looks great, but super-low gearing designed primarily for mountain bikes?
Rear Derailleurs
The two factors to consider for the rear derailleur are; maximum low-sprocket capacity and maximum tooth capacity. I would like to use the Alivio CS-HG400: 12- 36 cassette and therefore, the number of compatable long cage 9-speed rear derailleurs is very slim.
My priority is to stick with Shimano, but I've included a couple of other brands, as well. I've stuck a couple of "Dream Components" at the end of the list, just because I wish I could find them.
My priority is to stick with Shimano, but I've included a couple of other brands, as well. I've stuck a couple of "Dream Components" at the end of the list, just because I wish I could find them.
FIRST CHOICE
Brand: Shimano
Brand: Shimano
Brand: SunRace
Brand: Shimano
Brand: microSHIFT
Brand: Shimano
Brand: microSHIFT
DREAM CHOICES!
Had I known at the time, I would have bought several of these components to keep in stock. They were simply the best and quite honestly, it's shocking to me that there is nothing comparable being made today. I regularly search eBay for these in hope that I'll one day find some new old stock (NOS).
Brand: Shimano
Brand: Shimano
Front Derailleurs
Unfortunately, the range of 9-speed/triple front derailleurs is extremely narrow. I was shocked as I began searching and I only found three different models available. Quanities are getting scarce because Shimano now only makes 9-speed/triples for their CuesTM line. Urgh.
FIRST CHOICE
Brand: Shimano
Brand: MicroSHIFT
Brand: Shimano
Cassettes
Next I need to consder 9-speed rear cassettes. With this comes a great deal of mathematics. Essentially, I want as wide of a gear-range as possible, with a special empahasis on lower gears.
For the time being, I'm only going to consider Shimano brand cassettes. I've been using them for years, they are widely available and I can count on their reliability and compatabilility with other Shimano components (especially chains). Unfortunately, there are now only a limited number of models in the Shimano 9-speed family.
For the time being, I'm only going to consider Shimano brand cassettes. I've been using them for years, they are widely available and I can count on their reliability and compatabilility with other Shimano components (especially chains). Unfortunately, there are now only a limited number of models in the Shimano 9-speed family.
Brand: Shimano
The five cassette options considered are:
FIRST CHOICE
Gear Inches Tables for Triple Cranksets
I began compiling the gear ratios in a spreadsheet and soon realised that I had something practical I could embed into a webpage.
You can view the various gear ratios of five common triple crankset sizes combined with the five different cassettes I listed above. To begin select either:
You can view the various gear ratios of five common triple crankset sizes combined with the five different cassettes I listed above. To begin select either:
| or |
The following formulas were used to calculate the figures shown in the table(s) above:
- Gear Inches: (Number of Teeth on Front Chainring ÷ Number of Teeth on Rear Cog) x Rear Wheel Diameter in Inches (700c x 32 or roughly 27").
- Tooth Capacity: (Chainring difference between Large Ring & Small Ring) + (Cassette difference between Large Cog & Small Cog) = Tooth Capacity
- Total Gear Range: (Largest Front Chainring ÷ Smallest Rear Cog) x (Smallest Front Chainring ÷ Largest Rear Cog) x 100% = Total Gear Range
Shifters
First off... I don't need indexed shifters. I'm somewhat torn between bar-end and downtube shifters. I love them both. However, I've chosen the Dia-Comp/Silver downtube because; 1.) They are lovely; the redesign and engineering by Rivendell is sublime and 2.) I want to use a bar-end mirror.
I can't even talk about "brifters" or the weird "Gevenalle" styled things. I've been using downtube and bar-end shifters for nearly 50 years now and they are simply my preference.
I can't even talk about "brifters" or the weird "Gevenalle" styled things. I've been using downtube and bar-end shifters for nearly 50 years now and they are simply my preference.
FIRST CHOICE
Brand: Dia-Comp/Silver/Rivendell
Brand: Shimano
Brand: MicroSHIFT
Brand: Dia-Comp
Brand: Dia-Comp/Silver/Rivendell
Brand: SunRace
Brand: MicroSHIFT
Brand: Dia-Comp
Coming next... Part 4: Wheels, Handlebars, & Incidentals
For the next installment, I'll begin with a quick review of the main components from Parts 1, 2, & 3. I'll then dive into some wheel options, handlebars, stems, seat posts, and saddles.
There are lots of bits and bobs to think about as well. I'll get to those perhaps in a 5th installment(?) We'll see how it goes. If you'd like, you can reveiw Dream Build: Part 2.
If you've made it this far, thanks for your patience. Be sure to check back for Part 4 coming in 2026.
There are lots of bits and bobs to think about as well. I'll get to those perhaps in a 5th installment(?) We'll see how it goes. If you'd like, you can reveiw Dream Build: Part 2.
If you've made it this far, thanks for your patience. Be sure to check back for Part 4 coming in 2026.
