Chainset Question

[Nonny]

I've got a chainset question. I've got a Kona Explosif. Its a few years old. I want to start road time trialling but I have no intention of spending money on a road bike until I am sure I am going to stick to it. As my off road days are fairly limited I am thinking of converting the bike for road use. Apart from the obvious change of knobblies for slicks (recommendations anyone???) I think I could do with larger chainrings. The current chainset is a Sugino thingy. I am considering changing (upgrading) but to get higher gearing I need a chainset that can go beyond say 44 teeth. Has anyone got any suggestions? Has anyone any idea how large a chainring I can use before it will cause problems with rubbing on the stays and/or problems with tooth range for the front derailleur to handle.

Many thanks in advance folks

 

[percious]

You could use at least a 46 tooth setup. You could also replace your rear cassette with tiny cogs. I know the new 9 speed stuff goes down to 11 teeth in the rear, the same may be true of the older stuff.

-percious

 

[Nonny]

Originally posted by percious
You could use at least a 46 tooth setup. You could also replace your rear cassette with tiny cogs. I know the new 9 speed stuff goes down to 11 teeth in the rear, the same may be true of the older stuff.

-percious

Many thanks. Do you have any idea what mtb chainsets if any will take 46 tooth chainrings?

 

[percious]

hmm... Well, it depends what you have in the rear... Match your chainset your componentry. So, if you have an 8 speed setup, buy an 8 speed chainset. Oh, and you are going to need to replace your chain. Shimano chains should work fine with a 46 tooth chainring. (again you need to match componentry). I know old XTR stuff was 8 speed and 46 tooth. Race face makes some 46 tooth setups too. I would recommend upgrading to the new ISIS system cranks/bbs, they are much better designed then the 4 sided jobbers...

-percious

 

[Nonny]

Originally posted by percious
hmm... Well, it depends what you have in the rear... Match your chainset your componentry. So, if you have an 8 speed setup, buy an 8 speed chainset. Oh, and you are going to need to replace your chain. Shimano chains should work fine with a 46 tooth chainring. (again you need to match componentry). I know old XTR stuff was 8 speed and 46 tooth. Race face makes some 46 tooth setups too. I would recommend upgrading to the new ISIS system cranks/bbs, they are much better designed then the 4 sided jobbers...

-percious

Oh wow, thank you very much for that. I'll have a lookee see what I can find in that case. Perhaps it'll put an end to my days of spinning the pedals at outrageous speeds rather than 80-110 rpm

 

[devon inbred]

i have done a similar thing with my hack bike, a good pair of slicks are needed, specialized fatboys 1.0 or conti grandprix, make shure your rims are in good nick to handle the tyre pressure, cranks a 44t ring is fine, if you want a completly higher set of ratio's ie 46t then the deore octalink crankset comes in a 26/36/46 combo which is both cheap and quality. these should get you going.