Carcosa

You type bad.

And that's not right.

rEVOLVED

I want to try to end up in the 68-70 gear inch range. It almost seems cheaper to buy a new chain ring since I can replace that easier with no tools than a cog. With a replacement cog, I'm paying at least $15 for the part, plus install. I'm looking to keep the 16t cog on the back, but go to a 42t up front. Will FSA Gimondi do the trick?

Also, does it matter if 42/16 gets me 69 gear inches, but so does 50/19? Will they feel the same?

AlmostTrick

Just buy the chain whip and spanner wrench and instal yourself. You're gonna want to change cogs again sometime. And again after that.

Fahrenheit531 

Same gear inches will feel the same however you get there. And I agree that a chainring swap is easier, though it involves a larger adjustment of chain length (which you'd have to do anyway with a 3t change in the rear so whatever).

And I think you'll be quite pleased at ~69 inches.

JeremyLC

I have a bike setup with a dual sided fixed/fixed hub with a 15t on one side and an 18t on the other. I had to use a half-link in the chain, but I can use the same chain on both sides. (48t chainring). If you have long enough track ends, this just barely works.

Fahrenheit531 

Dangit. My inner accuracy-guy said "insert a probably." I said NO. I've got this one.

SquidPuppet

Yes, the Gimondi will be fine. Go for it if it's cheap.

But I still think you should get the tools needed for the rear end. Break free of the dependence on a shop. The tool will cost a few bucks, but you'll never have to pay labor charges again. And you eliminate the hassle of bringing the wheel to the shop, and waiting, and risking them damaging something.

Do you have a chain tool? You'll probably (likely) need one for a 5 tooth change. That's almost a 16mm axle move.

rEVOLVED

I have NO tools. Which sucks. Or no "bike" tools. Have the basic wrenches and sockets, but I'll need a spanner and chain whip, and whatever else is needed to fix chain length.

SquidPuppet

I don't know what your financial situation is. If you are handy with tools, nothing beats the freedom and satisfaction of DIY bike work. Not to mention the money and time saved. If you can afford them, buy the tools you need, good ones. You only pay once, unlike labor charges at a shop, which never end.

How much is the Gimondi ring? Black or silver. There is a reason I'm asking.

rEVOLVED

I'd love to have the proper tools, but I mainly don't know what to get. I'm still confused on chain whips being 1/8 or 3/32, and I have a Park Took wrench that I thought was for cogs but is actually for bottom brackets? Confusing.

the Gimondi is silver and I think $25

wphamilton

Single speed chains are 1/8 FWIW. I used my regular chain whip without a thought but now that you ask I'd have assumed it was 3/32" but I don't truly know. I doubt that it matters much.

If it's a shimano freewheel that's almost a no-brainer, just get a "shimano style" tool. $6-$8 on Amazon.

prooftheory

Does anybody use something other than a chain whip, like the Pedro's cog vice thing? Chain whips still seem like a stupid tool to me.

phobus

Which wrench do you have? It's engraved on the tool. HCW-17 is what you want for lockrings.

Chain whips come in both 1/8" and 3/32" varieties. A 3/32" whip is too small to fit on a 1/8" cog. If you're buying new, just get a 1/8" chain whip, it'll fit any cog. The Park model you want is SR-18. There's also a Sunlite one on Amazon for 12 bucks, it's probably just fine.

rEVOLVED

I have the HCW-5. Looks like I'll grab an SR-18 or something similar and a HCW-17.

seau grateau

Rotafix method. I've never used a chain whip.

kingston 

You don't need a chainwhip with the miche cog carrier unless you want to remove the carrier.

UltraManDan

You'll also need a chainring nut wrench in order to remove the current chainring bolts and install the new chainring.