size of mtb middle chain rings
07-30-11, 11:52 AM
#1
worldtraveller
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 352
Bikes: 92 Specialized Rockhopper, 96 Maxim, 2006 Argon 18 roadbike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
size of mtb middle chain rings
Ok having a debate here . with a non cyclist
to get it all straight.
What are the sizes of middle chain rings for MTB. just want to make sure i have it correct
thanks
Should the middle ring be around 32 teeth?
I hope i am corrected.
to get it all straight.
What are the sizes of middle chain rings for MTB. just want to make sure i have it correct
thanks
Should the middle ring be around 32 teeth?
I hope i am corrected.
Last edited by worldtraveller; 07-30-11 at 11:56 AM. Reason: need more info
07-30-11, 11:56 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Posts: 5,773
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 453 Post(s)
Liked 104 Times
in
87 Posts
Standard Drive, Compact? 2x 10 doesn't even have a middle, would go for about 6 inch / 15cm if talking to a non cycling
07-30-11, 12:14 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,663
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5766 Post(s)
Liked 2,538 Times
in
1,404 Posts
32, 34, 36 and 38 are all very common. Which is best depends on other considerations, including the size of the outer ring and cassette. I like to keep the steps nearer to 10 teeth, so 24/34/44, or 24/34/44 make more sense to me. If I go to a bigger step, it'll be between the middle and inner as in 24/36/46.
The way I prefer to set up the gearing using a 32 middle would limit me to a 42 outer, which is a bit small for long shallow downhills.
But that's just me. Everybody needs to pick chainring sizes and cassettes suited to how and where they ride, and there is no one best way for everybody.
The way I prefer to set up the gearing using a 32 middle would limit me to a 42 outer, which is a bit small for long shallow downhills.
But that's just me. Everybody needs to pick chainring sizes and cassettes suited to how and where they ride, and there is no one best way for everybody.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
07-30-11, 01:48 PM
#4
cowboy, steel horse, etc
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The hot spot.
Posts: 44,784
Bikes: everywhere
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12736 Post(s)
Liked 7,647 Times
in
4,055 Posts
I've had 26/38/48 and 22/32/42 and several others in between. The former being common on bikes with 14 tooth small cogs on a freewheel and the latter being common on cassettes with an 11T cog.
I think my ideal setup as far as gear range is concerned would be 12T small cog and 24/36/48. Dunno how the shifting would be, though.
I think my ideal setup as far as gear range is concerned would be 12T small cog and 24/36/48. Dunno how the shifting would be, though.
07-30-11, 01:50 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
364 Posts
32 teeth is a common size.
Be sure to get a chain ring that matches your bolt circle diameter and number of crank arms.
Be sure to get a chain ring that matches your bolt circle diameter and number of crank arms.
07-30-11, 01:56 PM
#6
cowboy, steel horse, etc
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The hot spot.
Posts: 44,784
Bikes: everywhere
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12736 Post(s)
Liked 7,647 Times
in
4,055 Posts
I wanna know how one gets into a debate with a non-cyclist concerning middle ring tooth counts!
07-30-11, 02:05 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,663
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5766 Post(s)
Liked 2,538 Times
in
1,404 Posts
Three beers on a boring night.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Shahmatt
General Cycling Discussion
14
06-08-15 07:46 PM
Rail
Bicycle Mechanics
13
11-14-10 06:40 PM
