Upgrading compact chainset - new chain?

chriscdesign
chriscdesign Posts: 40
edited March 2010 in Workshop
HI there,

I've just bought a SRAM Force chainset online to upgrade the one on my Boardman Team Carbon. For one, currently it's too short at 170 and I would like something that's lighter and stiffer. Plus I fancy a bit more power in the bigger chain rings.

Right my question is, the chain rings I have are 50/34: the upgrade is 53/39. Will I have to get a new chain? This then begs the question, new chain, new cassette? I have less than 1000km on the bike so I reckon I should be ok.

I might use swap the chainrings onto the new chain set if this is the case.

I would change it myself but I don't have the tools required, no torque wrench for starters, no crank extraction tool for another. What's a reasonable price you reckon to get the chain set changed?

Comments

  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    53/39 rings have a different bolt circle diameter to 50/34, so are not interchangeable.

    Bigger chain rings will not give you more power, just different gearing.
  • chriscdesign
    chriscdesign Posts: 40
    Ok, I didn't know that. Now that I think about it, that makes sense! How about the chain, does it need to be replaced?
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    Changing the chain depends on how long your current one is. Or if you have any spare links for it. If it will go round the big ring /big cog gear on the new chainset with a bit of tension to spare then it should be OK. If you have spare links then add one or two. If none of these then it is new chain time. Keep the old one for if you ever want to run the compact again.
    My Fleet.

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