Crank swap issues

[TJK]

Right, so im planning on picking up this http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product. ... id=3985034
and Im wondering about swapping out the front crank for a triple chain ring and adding a front derailuer.
Any issues with this? I think it has a standard legnth rear derail cage that should adjust enough to pick up the slack.
Whaddu guys think? Any alignment issues? or just slap the parts in and go!

End goal is MTB gear range functionality on a budget with a cool looking ride.
-tj

 

[GTCOMA]

that is probably a 1 piece crank. I am guessing your crank is a three piece. And it probably needs a threaded bottom bracket. I don't know if you can swap out one piece bearing cups for a "threaded cup" . You also might have some issues with the width of the bottom bracket. I know they can vary quite a bit. I could be totally wrong, but that is my 2 cents.

 

[user 135]

It is doable but could be more hassle than it is worth. If your town is relative flat then the rear 7 should get you around fine.

There are converters
http://www.bikepartsusa.com/cgi-bin/cat ... conversion

 

[TJK]

Yeah.. when it comes to cost, it may just be easier to just run as a 7 spd with some funky stuff done to it than to try and change that out....
then again.. i do have a specialized hard rock sitting around at the moment.. it has a clamp mounted front derailure and a triple front ring..
hmmm.. i guess the limiting factor then would be width and size of the bottom bracket.
-tjk

 

[Schwinnspastic]

that is really not a big conversion going to mountain bike gearing I have done several of them you just need the right doner
I usually find an old huffy mtb for what I need and I think I have a few black sprockets laying around and a front derailer.
here is an 80s triple I put on the 58 Schwinn I did have to space it out a little to work right and finding a derailer to work
with the frame and spocket was a chore so I made a shim for a derailer made for a larger seat tube it can be done on the cheap.

or you could go with a converter if you want to use a 3pc crank.

 

[TJK]

Thanks!
I'll have a little better idea what i'm dealing with when i get the bike and check it out on wed..
maybey i can just swap cranks with the mtb!

 

[Markm]

watch your chain clearance on the rear fender with a front derailer...mine hits.. :roll:

 

[new_dharma]

It is doable but could be more hassle than it is worth. If your town is relative flat then the rear 7 should get you around fine.

There are converters
http://www.bikepartsusa.com/cgi-bin/cat ... conversion

if you go this route, don't buy the bottom style...go with the top
i use that style to change out 1-piece cranks
and remember not all sealed bottom brackets are the same...the spindle lengths vary and they are dependent on the cranks being used (to get proper chain-line)...