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#1
09-23-2017, 07:36 AM
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Please school me on Ultegra chainrings for gravel.
I have the stock Ultegra Di2 chainrings (52-36) and I feel I need to drop down in ratio, given the Colorado "hills" where I ride much of the time.
I've read that although you can mount smaller rings, the shifting performance suffers. Any truth to that and what would you suggest if I want to go say a 46/34 (non-standard) or in that range and still have that superb shifting.
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Bike lives matter! Last edited by simplemind; 09-23-2017 at 07:54 AM. 
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#3
09-23-2017, 07:58 AM
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The Shimano 46-34 combo works perfectly on an Ultegra 6800 crank. I purchased the 6800 cyclocross crank (46-36) and swapped out the small ring for a 34. I can't speak to Di2, but the shifting is excellent with 5800 mechanical STI levers. I use this combo on my LeMond Poprad with an 11-28 cassette for road use and an 11-32 cassette for off-road and steep gravel roads.
Greg
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#4
09-23-2017, 08:01 AM
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they'll shift just fine - no worries.
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http://less-than-epic.blogspot.com/
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#5
09-23-2017, 08:05 AM
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Quote:
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Chisholm's Custom Wheels Qui Si Parla Campagnolo
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#6
09-23-2017, 08:16 AM
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I run a 46/34 and it shifts perfectly. And the 12-tooth jump is way less drastic than a 16-tooth jump.
You'll need to get the plastic spacers that go with the Shimano 46-tooth ring. It's a flat ring instead of shaped and contoured like the regular rings.
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#7
09-23-2017, 10:11 AM
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Quote:
 Does that mean it would be ugly?! If it's possible to snap a pic, I would love it, I'm really drivetrain challenged.  I guess another approach would be an 11 sp cogset that would approach 10-34. Is that a bad idea?
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Bike lives matter!
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#8
09-23-2017, 12:27 PM
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Quote:
I'm running 34/50 on my gravel bike. Standard compact 6800 rings. Running a 34t big cog is doable *if* you have a long cage rear derailleur *and* the right dropouts. IOW it may not work with every bike. M
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#9
09-23-2017, 12:31 PM
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Quote:
Works fine though. It would for sure look better with Ultegra 6800 crank arms.
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#10
09-23-2017, 01:21 PM
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Solutions for better aesthetics area available from TA: https://specialites-ta.com/produits-...chainring.html. Peter White Cycles carries them in the US: http://peterwhitecycles.com/ta-chainrings.php.
Greg
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#12
09-23-2017, 01:42 PM
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This is my 9000 crankset with the ones pictured immediately above. They work fine and as mentioned, shifting loses none of its sweetness. In fact, it might be better shifting because of the smaller difference between rings.
I wish Shimano made 46-tooth chainrings for their premium groups, and with no aesthetic compromise. This thing is ugly.  
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#14
09-23-2017, 02:41 PM
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Another good investment is a new 8000 front derailleur, it's a little odd to set up but it's really precise and smooth. I've got a new gravel bike with the group and the FD is probably the best part.
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#15
09-23-2017, 04:35 PM
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Quote:
To be fair, I'm not sure Campagnolo offers one either and it would be useful. I think the 50 is too big for a lot of gravel riding. I use an 11-32 cassette and a 50x11 is larger than a 53x12, which was the standard top pro gear until probably 15 years ago or so. Anyone who is usefully putting pressure on a 50x11 on a gravel bike on unpaved conditions needs to be on a World Tour team. The 46 is much more useful in the real world. Last edited by saab2000; 09-23-2017 at 04:39 PM.
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