Down-sizing the Front chainring
06-02-19, 11:08 AM
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Down-sizing the Front chainring
I recently bought a 2009 Specialized Langster with 42/16 gearing which seems sufficient for now as I'm using it to lose some weight and recover from some back issues that I had last year. I found myself really liking it as a single speed and some limitations (tire width) and being addicted to the N+1 disease, I've also acquired a Cinelli Tutto with bigger tires (38mm) and bigger gears, 46/16...
So my question is ..Will I find a significant difference with a 46 tooth chain ring over the 42 ?..(the 46 has almost a difference of 10 gear inches) if so, and I downsize to a 42 (or ?), do I shorten the chain ? (like a road bike)...changing the front chain ring seems simpler and cheaper than changing the freewheel to a 18T (I have a Profile Racing Elite ).....All of this seems a lot more complicated than road bikes!..
Forgive my newbie-ism, as I'm a long time roadie and we've recently moved to Arizona and my road bikes haven't arrived yet...(I wonder if I'll like on/off road capability of the Tutto over my road bikes?..hmmm)
So my question is ..Will I find a significant difference with a 46 tooth chain ring over the 42 ?..(the 46 has almost a difference of 10 gear inches) if so, and I downsize to a 42 (or ?), do I shorten the chain ? (like a road bike)...changing the front chain ring seems simpler and cheaper than changing the freewheel to a 18T (I have a Profile Racing Elite ).....All of this seems a lot more complicated than road bikes!..
Forgive my newbie-ism, as I'm a long time roadie and we've recently moved to Arizona and my road bikes haven't arrived yet...(I wonder if I'll like on/off road capability of the Tutto over my road bikes?..hmmm)
06-02-19, 11:15 AM
#2
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Time to measure ..
Bolt circle diameter Minimums : Track /144 42t , shimano road 130 38t , newer campag 135 39t
110 .. 34t ...
there are outliers , but most are these standards..
110 .. 34t ...
there are outliers , but most are these standards..
06-02-19, 12:47 PM
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If you need a lower gear, a bigger rear cog will also accomplish that, often at lower cost than a new chainring.
06-02-19, 04:52 PM
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That's what I thought as well, but I have a Profile Racing Elite freewheel and It appears to me that the cog is an integral piece..and a new one with a 18T 0r 20T is $125 bucks!
06-02-19, 05:38 PM
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The cog is integral to the freewheel, but the freewheel is not likely integral to the hub. Confirm that at a bike shop and order a replacement freewheel. Get the correct freewheel removal tool, too, or have the shop do the freewheel transplant.
06-02-19, 06:44 PM
#7
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If it's the best gear ratio *ever*, you could spring for a new 20T Profile Racing Elite for the win!
Or what trakhack said.
SHIMANO SF-1200 Single Speed Freewheel (20Tx1/8 1 Speed)
Last edited by chainwhip; 06-02-19 at 06:50 PM.
06-02-19, 09:16 PM
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06-03-19, 11:06 AM
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Or...could just *try* a 20T Shimano freewheel for $30.00.
If it's the best gear ratio *ever*, you could spring for a new 20T Profile Racing Elite for the win!
Or what trakhack said.
SHIMANO SF-1200 Single Speed Freewheel (20Tx1/8 1 Speed)
If it's the best gear ratio *ever*, you could spring for a new 20T Profile Racing Elite for the win!
Or what trakhack said.
SHIMANO SF-1200 Single Speed Freewheel (20Tx1/8 1 Speed)
06-03-19, 06:16 PM
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1 Remove that freewheel
2 sell it
3 use profits to buy several freewheels of normal price and new chainrings
4 enjoy
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