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Yet another Northrock XC00 thread - how to add more gears

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Yet another Northrock XC00 thread - how to add more gears

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flag r3cc0s
Posted: Oct 27, 2020 at 9:17 Quote
So I have a number of bikes, and basically got one for free

Its small but its "fine" and yes its a "cheap" bike a reasonable frame and parts for the dollar for sure.

I already put on my old 60mm Specialized Stem, an old 740 Bar, BB7 on 180 rotors however its about finding gearing.

As I live in AB, my 29ers all have a 1x with a 30 CD and a 11-46 range on 11x setups. With this thing, being a cheap freehub, I'm stuck with an 11-34 and I don't think a 1x is enough.

So I'll start with this option: just do a 1x with a smaller crank and the only way I can think of this is a 3/32nd CR on a BMX crank that should fit a 6/7/8 chain

OR I do a 2x and put on a direct mount Fr derailleur, find a 2x or 3x crank and get some adapter that allots for a 100mm BB

OR is there a 2/3x derailler for direct mount derailleur that fits out of the box?
flag r3cc0s
Posted: Oct 31, 2020 at 9:48 Quote
so... found a generic 3x crank I had on my old Gary from years back
Got an adapter similar to the problem solvers with a 2x X5 direct mount FR der

the adapter seems to be to wide, and the crank doesn't seem to be in line with the rear freehub, so the chainline doesn't look great...

ugh, I think its going to be a bit trial and error. Can't use without the spacer cause it is just too close.

I'm going to see if there is another adapter I can find, as well as maybe try another generic square taper, otherwise I'll find an old square taper race face or something that I can put a 28 tooth narrow wide.

edit - update

Took the mount to another bike store and all the direct mount spacers are the same... so I decided to pick up a Acera M361 crank (22/32/42?) just like the one that was posted for sale here: https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/2327863/

I also picked up the same Sunrace 8x freewheel and I have a XT 9speed that I will use with a 8 speed shifter to get the rear end setup.

touch wood this works
flag r3cc0s
Posted: Nov 1, 2020 at 8:44 Quote
update - got a hold of the guy on this form... informed me he needed a new BB

so the stock one is a 100 x 155 and I'll need a 100 x 177 to ggive me the extra width on a square taper to accomodate the derailller, the spacer and the full 3x (i'll set to 2)

It works... but very specific part and now I have a 3x (24 speed) setup

Need a Direct Mount front Der
Need a Direct Mount Adapter for the 100mm BB
Need a 100mm x 177mm bottom bracke - If you are going cheaper (like me) I used an Acera M361 square taper crank, but Need a 100mm x 177 bottom brack for Chain alignment

As it is a Freewheel, the best I could put on was a Sunrace 13-34 cassette
Finding a 8 speed shifter other than low spec is a PITA

You could go with a standard hollowtech 68 cups and get a Fat crank with a 100mm spindle for a older 2x setup, but that would be expensive I feel and maybe less durable than a internal square taper if this is a commuter bike

1x just won't work with the 8 speed... even with a 28 cr - a 13-34 is still very limited in gearing for any actual trail use.

Now time for some good tires Smile
flag thchen
Posted: Feb 26, 2026 at 11:57 Quote
r3cc0s wrote:
As it is a Freewheel, the best I could put on was a Sunrace 13-34 cassette
Finding a 8 speed shifter other than low spec is a PITA

You could go with a standard hollowtech 68 cups and get a Fat crank with a 100mm spindle for a older 2x setup, but that would be expensive I feel and maybe less durable than a internal square taper if this is a commuter bike

1x just won't work with the 8 speed... even with a 28 cr - a 13-34 is still very limited in gearing for any actual trail use.
How did the sun race 8 speed work out for you at the end? I'm thinking about sticking with a sun race 14-34 on a stock 1x setup for a middrive ebike build on this exact bike, which is very different than actually having to pedal a 13t rear fat bike...
flag MadelynCh1iBm
Posted: Mar 17, 2026 at 23:42 Quote
Great detailed writeup, really useful for anyone else trying to do the same conversion. The 100x177 BB spec is the kind of thing that's impossible to find unless someone's already gone through the hassle of figuring it out, so cheers for documenting it.
thchen wrote:
r3cc0s wrote:
As it is a Freewheel, the best I could put on was a Sunrace 13-34 cassette
Finding a 8 speed shifter other than low spec is a PITA

You could go with a standard hollowtech 68 cups and get a Fat crank with a 100mm spindle for a older 2x setup, but that would be expensive I feel and maybe less durable than a internal square taper if this is a commuter bike

1x just won't work with the 8 speed... even with a 28 cr - a 13-34 is still very limited in gearing for any actual trail use.
How did the sun race 8 speed work out for you at the end? I'm thinking about sticking with a sun race 14-34 on a stock 1x setup for a middrive ebike build on this exact bike, which is very different than actually having to pedal a 13t rear fat bike...
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