Bicycle Mechanics - Newbie Chainring question

Hi all

I have an entry level mountain bike and was told I would be better suited if I had a different chainring set. The reason why I need this change was not given except I would be better off with a 22-32-42. My riding is strictly recreational on rail-trails and bike paths.

After pondering this for a while I decided to post the question here. The answer is probably somewhere in the archives but I can't find it.

What is the advantage, or disadvantage of a 22-32-42 chainring as opposed to a 28-38-48?

This being used in conjunction with an 8-speed cassette.

:confused:

Well as you may have guessed the 28-38-48 set leans towards higher speed (ie: non off road) riding the other set will give you more low end grunt for hills and off-road obstacles. If it was me using the bike as you described I'd keep what I had. The suggestion would be valid if you were taking it off-road or you have lot of hills but it won't be much of an advantage in the sistuation you describe.

The 42 gives you more ground clearance.
The22/32/42 called compact, came about with the development of freehubs that allowed the use of 11t small cog in back. A freewheel small cog was 13t. With the 11t out back you could run a smaller chainring and get close to the same gearing. 11/42: 103 gearinches, 13/48: 99.7 gearinches.
Confused, good. Now I don't know why they would tell you to get another crankset, the one you have should be fine for your riding.

Think about it this way.

The 22, 32, 42 chainring set will give you an easier-to-pedal low gear. If you find that you are frequently in your 28/32 gear combination, and finding that you have to get off and walk to get up the hill, you might benefit from the easier gears.

Frankly, I doubt that's the case for the use you indicated. It sounds to me like somebody is trying to sell you a "present" to give to your bicycle. As a general rule, upgrading components on an entry level bicycle is not a good investment from an economic point of view.

If you decide that you want a better bike, you're usually better off buying a whole new bike. When you buy a whole new bike you get every single part brand new. Every single part has been designed to work with every other part, and you get a new bike warranty.

28/38/48 is ideal for general purpose riding on roads and well prepared trails. I use this with 12-28 cogs, and have no difficulty riding even moderate off-road trails.
I fitted a smaller chainset on my touring bike, (a 22/34/44) for hauling luggage over mountain trails, but this is overkill for easy trails. Ive had to get off and walk the unladen bike once, up a slope so steep it was frightening.