new chainring/cassette combo
Newbie Alert!!!
I have a Specialized Sirrus bought second hand about a year ago. I am doing about three 15 mile rides a week plus a few rides to the shops. My area is relatively flat with few steep hills.
I took my bike to LBS recently to measure the chain and they said it was stretched and needed changing along with the cassette and outer chainring. I want to do this myself to reduce cost, I'm fairly good at following youtube instructions on how to do this king of thing.
My current setup is as follows - 8 speed cassette 12-25t, chainrings 48x38x28T. (full specs here http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bikes/ ... rrus#specs )
Now, questions.......
I have found it difficult to find a cheap outer chainring that matches my current one - 110BCD 48T 5 bolt. Can I change to a 52T or something similar or will that not work? I am also going to be changing the chain/cassette so maybe I can select those based on different chainring.
I currently don't have any problems with hills so thinking maybe the cassette ratio could be changed while i'm at it? To allow for better 'cruising' gears? I find myself rarely using the middle/inner chainring so could a different ratio cassette help me use make better use of them?
Can anyone recommend a cassette/chainring combo that would work well for me? I am on a budget so don't want to be spending a lot on these parts, the basic entry level quality is probably good enough for me.
Thanks for you help
I have a Specialized Sirrus bought second hand about a year ago. I am doing about three 15 mile rides a week plus a few rides to the shops. My area is relatively flat with few steep hills.
I took my bike to LBS recently to measure the chain and they said it was stretched and needed changing along with the cassette and outer chainring. I want to do this myself to reduce cost, I'm fairly good at following youtube instructions on how to do this king of thing.
My current setup is as follows - 8 speed cassette 12-25t, chainrings 48x38x28T. (full specs here http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bikes/ ... rrus#specs )
Now, questions.......
I have found it difficult to find a cheap outer chainring that matches my current one - 110BCD 48T 5 bolt. Can I change to a 52T or something similar or will that not work? I am also going to be changing the chain/cassette so maybe I can select those based on different chainring.
I currently don't have any problems with hills so thinking maybe the cassette ratio could be changed while i'm at it? To allow for better 'cruising' gears? I find myself rarely using the middle/inner chainring so could a different ratio cassette help me use make better use of them?
Can anyone recommend a cassette/chainring combo that would work well for me? I am on a budget so don't want to be spending a lot on these parts, the basic entry level quality is probably good enough for me.
Thanks for you help
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Comments
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I think that an outer chainring up to 53T would function fine.
Calculate the gear ratio that the various chainring and cluster combinations produce and choose chainring & cluster that gives a good selection - without using the excessive big-chainring-big-cluster or small-chainring-small-cluster gear combinations.
Perhaps change your shifting technique by using the middle chainring instead doing continual 'down shifts' with the rear derailleur. When the chain is near the middle of the cluster, then shift to the middle chainring instead of shifting the rear to the large side of the cluster.
You will need a few special tools to do the change yourself - cluster lockring spanner, chain tool, and tool for the chainring bolts.
Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA0
