sumbikerguy123

I have a 2004 Specialized Crossroads Hybrid. The triple chainrings are stock 48x38x28 with a 4-bolt pattern.

The Bottom Bracket is: TH Sport, square taper, 68mm shell, 113mm spindle, sealed cartridge.

The bike has a Shimano 7-speed HG41 (CS725) 11-28t cassette.

I want to see if I can get a bit more speed with a 50t ring, if compatible or available?

I lack knowledge in this area, so I'm not sure what, if any, options I might have here?

A compact crank would be nice, but...?

Any suggestions appreciated, thanks Sumbikerguy123.

clarkbre

Are you able to hold the 48x11 for long at speed? If so, you've got some strong legs. With that gear ratio, at a constant cadence of 80, you should be cruising at about 28mph.

02Giant 

I am not sure you can find a 7-speed 50t four bolt chainring with the ramps and pins needed.

i had to do a lot of searching to find a 9-speed 50t 104bcd for my 1x10 hybrid.

MRT2

For real. If OP can maintain 28 mph on flat ground, on an old hybrid, he should consider turning pro.

sumbikerguy123

Yea I wish huh? Be nice to cruise at 28MPH on flat land, fur shure! I can get 28MPH going downhill...

Not sure about cadence/speed ratio's, but on the rare occasions I get a wind to my back or going downhill I do spin out on the 48t, so be nice to have a 50t gear.

So if there are 50t chainrings that are compatible/available for my bike I would likely get one. If not, then so be it.

sumbikerguy123

For real. If OP can maintain 28 mph on flat ground, on an old hybrid, he should consider turning pro.

R.

sumbikerguy123

R. Could I get a 50t by changing the crankset?

mrodgers

I spin out at around 40 mph with my 48/11 combo on my hybrid downhill. That would be around 100 rpm. Scratch that, I don't spin out because I don't want to be doing 40 mph. At that point, I'm on the brakes trying to slow down.

Wanting to get over 40 is nuts in my opinion. Too much loose gravel and poor pavement for me for 40 mph. 36 is about my limit which is easily doable on a nice easy downhill with a 48/11.

DorkDisk

+1 on the spin more.

I cannot spin out a 46x11 on a flat. But I am weak and big guys can mash some big gears

You first need to find your bolt circle diameter. Then look for a proper chainring - and no, you don't need a "7 speed chainring," a 1x N/W is different in that it has to mesh with a particular chain. This is not your case. If its a 94 BCD, rings other than then stock triples are very difficult to find. 104 has more choices. A cheap option is to find an old 110mm BCD MTB with removable granny tabs. In any case, it wont be easy to find such a large ring for a small BCD

Here are some aftermarket brands of chainrings:

Stronglight
Black Spire
RaceFace
Sugino

MRT2

Even accepting OP's explanation that in mostly flat Florida, he needs a bigger gear to go downhill, the difference in speed at 80 to 90 rpms between a 48 - 11 and a 50 - 11 is, maybe 1 or 1.5 mph. You can gain that much speed by getting a little lower or spinning a little faster, especially on an upright hybrid.