changing chainring on genesis day01 alfine

halhorner
halhorner Posts: 3
edited April 2012 in Commuting general
Hi
I recently replaced my old touring bike with a Genesis Day01 Alfine (8spd) for an 18 mile e/w hilly commute (road & bridleways). Whilst I am very pleased with the bike I do find the gearing a bit on the light side. The rear sprocket is 20T & the chainring is 40T. I guess a bigger chainring would give me bigger gears at the top but am a little nervous about fiddling around with the transmission myself.
Can anyone advise if this would be as simple as changing the chainring for a 42 or 44T, or would I need to adjust/replace the chain also? Also any ideas about how big it would be sensible/possible to go to?? Trying to gauge if this would be straightforward for someone with no bike maintenance skills beyond the bare essentials, or a job for LBS???
Any advice appreciated...
Cheers

Comments

  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    You need to make sure the chainring is compatible with your cranks ie bolt pattern and diameter, and not one designed for gears. The chain will almost undoubtedly need changing - not just for length, but old chains on new rings can wear them quick. Again need the right type.

    All can be done at home, Park Tools website has good info.
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  • snig
    snig Posts: 428
    why not go for one of these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-alfine- ... ain-guard/ either way it would be a LBS job for me!
  • corshamjim
    corshamjim Posts: 234
    I would have thought it would be a lot easier to change the 20t sprocket for a smaller one than change the chainring - you could then simply shorten the chain by removing a link or two as needed. Sprockets are available down to 16t and are typically a lot cheaper than chainrings too.

    http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/shimano-nexus.html

    It should be straightforward to do yourself, but by the same token being a simple job your LBS shouldn't charge you a great deal to do it for you. You'll find a selection of chainrings at http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/sprockets-hu ... nd=SHIMANO
  • halhorner
    halhorner Posts: 3
    many thanks... think I'll go with an 18T sprocket & ask local bike workshop co-op to show me how to fit it :)
  • davis
    davis Posts: 2,506
    It's not hard to change the sprocket on an Alfine hub.
    Shimano's own instructions tell you how to install the sprocket so should give you everything you need.
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