More Teeth?

shm_uk
shm_uk Posts: 683
edited January 2011 in Commuting general
A very simple question:

Should I replace my 46T outer chainring with 48T?

I thankyou.

Comments

  • wgwarburton
    wgwarburton Posts: 1,863
    shm_uk wrote:
    A very simple question:
    Should I replace my 46T outer chainring with 48T?....

    Umm... only if you want some very slightly higher gears?

    Cheers,
    W.
  • And your chain is long enough...
    FCN16 - 1970 BSA Wayfarer

    FCN4 - Fixie Inc
  • jeremyrundle
    jeremyrundle Posts: 1,014
    why :shock: :?
    Peds with ipods, natures little speed humps

    Banish unwanted fur - immac a squirrel
    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... heads.html
  • Err, bigger rings use more chain and will raise the gain of the gearing by 48/46?
    FCN16 - 1970 BSA Wayfarer

    FCN4 - Fixie Inc
  • jeremyrundle
    jeremyrundle Posts: 1,014
    surely though by so little as not to make a difference
    Peds with ipods, natures little speed humps

    Banish unwanted fur - immac a squirrel
    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... heads.html
  • It really does make a difference if you want to go faster. You might need to adjust your front mech and chain.

    I changed my cassette from 12-25 to 12-26. Made just the difference I needed for a tough hill near home.
  • Buckled_Rims
    Buckled_Rims Posts: 1,648
    46T? Sounds like it's either a CX bike, a SS/fixie or an internal geared bike. Oh I do love guessing :wink:
    CAAD9
    Kona Jake the Snake
    Merlin Malt 4
  • surely though by so little as not to make a difference
    This should increase top speed by 4%, which doesn't sound like much, but that corresponds to a power increase of about 12%, which most riders would say is worthwhile.

    In other words, going from 46 to 48 teeth allows the rider to put out 12% more power before spinning out.
  • jeremyrundle
    jeremyrundle Posts: 1,014
    All that for another two teeth, wish I were young enough to use it, but to be honest, who could honestly say they will use it and know they are.
    Peds with ipods, natures little speed humps

    Banish unwanted fur - immac a squirrel
    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... heads.html
  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    Well, 46 is pretty small for the big ring on a flat road commute I'd say. If you're not running with heavy loads then I'd tentatively suggest Yes, change to 48T, but it's a bit hard to know without a bit more information.

    What is it you're hoping to achieve?
    - - - - - - - - - -
    On Strava.{/url}