52t outer chain-ring vs 54t outer chain-ring
08-20-13, 11:35 AM
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52t outer chain-ring vs 54t outer chain-ring
I have a '80s Raleigh with a Sugino 5 arm crank with 52t-42t 130 bcd chain-rings and a Shimano 14-15-17-19-21-24 cog set.
I need to replace the outer chain-ring and am wondering:
Will any 5 arm 52t 130 bcd gear fit my cranks?
What would be the effect of replacing the 52t gear with a 54t gear?
Thanks much for your help,
Chuck
I need to replace the outer chain-ring and am wondering:
Will any 5 arm 52t 130 bcd gear fit my cranks?
What would be the effect of replacing the 52t gear with a 54t gear?
Thanks much for your help,
Chuck
Last edited by ka6uup; 08-20-13 at 11:38 AM. Reason: spelling/grammer
08-20-13, 11:41 AM
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Yes, any 5 hole 130bcd ring will work.
Have you run a gear calculator table to see the effect on overlaps, etc? LINK to Sheldon's.
According to the results, @100RPM, your speed in top gear would go from ~30mph to ~31mph.
And just an aside, in your edit, it's spelled grammar
Edit: OT, but I see the "@" now links to members. Wow, just about as worthless as hashtags.
And back OT, I don't think it will be an issue at 54/42, but on my bike that has a 54/40, I get chain rub in the small front/small rear combo (rubs the large ring on the inside).
Have you run a gear calculator table to see the effect on overlaps, etc? LINK to Sheldon's.
According to the results, @100RPM, your speed in top gear would go from ~30mph to ~31mph.
And just an aside, in your edit, it's spelled grammar
Edit: OT, but I see the "@" now links to members. Wow, just about as worthless as hashtags.
And back OT, I don't think it will be an issue at 54/42, but on my bike that has a 54/40, I get chain rub in the small front/small rear combo (rubs the large ring on the inside).
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Last edited by Ex Pres; 08-20-13 at 11:51 AM.
08-20-13, 11:47 AM
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One thing to verify is that the derailleurs will both handle the increased difference between the smallest and biggest chainring tooth count. Chances are they will, but it bears mentioning. What I will say is that unless you're a pretty strong rider that races on a regular basis, you won't be able to use a 54-tooth chainring very often. If you need to shift to the biggest rear cog to do so, you'll be running the rear derailleur at an angle that is not recommended.
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08-20-13, 12:06 PM
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NOS 54T rings come up for sale at eBay often enough....and usually for quite cheap, compared to 52T & 53T rings.....for good reasons....
I don't think that even the pros used them regularly, except for maybe the flattest/fastest TT courses.
Maybe if you have legs as big and pwerful as Eric Heiden did, you can mash the 54T ring to great effect......
I don't think that even the pros used them regularly, except for maybe the flattest/fastest TT courses.
Maybe if you have legs as big and pwerful as Eric Heiden did, you can mash the 54T ring to great effect......
08-20-13, 12:18 PM
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If your current drivetrail does not provide a tall enough high gear, it would be more effective to switch your 6-speed FW to a 7-speed freewheel that has an 13 (or 12) tooth small cog. A 13t rear cog will be about twice the increase in gearing from a 14t as you would get going from a 52 to 54t chainring.
08-20-13, 12:26 PM
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08-20-13, 12:26 PM
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NOS 54T rings come up for sale at eBay often enough....and usually for quite cheap, compared to 52T & 53T rings.....for good reasons....
I don't think that even the pros used them regularly, except for maybe the flattest/fastest TT courses.
Maybe if you have legs as big and pwerful as Eric Heiden did, you can mash the 54T ring to great effect......
I don't think that even the pros used them regularly, except for maybe the flattest/fastest TT courses.
Maybe if you have legs as big and pwerful as Eric Heiden did, you can mash the 54T ring to great effect......
08-20-13, 12:38 PM
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My understanding from the OPs original post is that the issue is not trying to get different gearing, but rather a worn out (or maybe damaged) front ring.
There isn't much difference between a 54t & 52t, but a 52 is probably slightly more useful.
Also, sticking with a 52t ring will avoid your having to move the front derailleur up (and potentially leave another set of marks on the seat tube).
Here's one option:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sugino-52t-1...item257f466ffb
There isn't much difference between a 54t & 52t, but a 52 is probably slightly more useful.
Also, sticking with a 52t ring will avoid your having to move the front derailleur up (and potentially leave another set of marks on the seat tube).
Here's one option:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sugino-52t-1...item257f466ffb
08-20-13, 12:50 PM
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I have 52s on the front end of 3 of my bikes...and the chain usually stays there (here in flat land Florida) on the freewheel, it does not go to the big cog (I try NOT to cross chain) and is usually in the middle of the gear cluster avg about 18-19 mph
08-20-13, 08:23 PM
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A lot of guys have a 13t small cog on the freewheel or cassette. The difference between a 52t and 56t chain ring is the same as the difference between a 13t and 14t cog. So a 54t is like halfway between the two. Not a big deal.
08-22-13, 10:18 AM
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08-22-13, 04:16 PM
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I have the correct 52T Sugino chainring, if you want it I could be persuaded to sell it.
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08-22-13, 08:42 PM
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Been there ... done that on the Bianchi. Was: 52-42/13-15-17-19-21-23; Is: 50-42/14-16-18-20-23-26
Difference: 96 top instead of 108 (plenty for me); 44 bottom instead of 49 (seldom used, but nice-to-have Granny); better ratiometric progression
My 1971 Nishiki came w/ a 54-47 ringset, with a 14-34 5-speed freewheel. The 104 top end (almost exactly between 52/14 and 52/13, as others have noted) was OK, but I didn't miss it when I dropped back to 100 or even 96.
Difference: 96 top instead of 108 (plenty for me); 44 bottom instead of 49 (seldom used, but nice-to-have Granny); better ratiometric progression
My 1971 Nishiki came w/ a 54-47 ringset, with a 14-34 5-speed freewheel. The 104 top end (almost exactly between 52/14 and 52/13, as others have noted) was OK, but I didn't miss it when I dropped back to 100 or even 96.
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08-22-13, 11:19 PM
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Been there ... done that on the Bianchi. Was: 52-42/13-15-17-19-21-23; Is: 50-42/14-16-18-20-23-26
Difference: 96 top instead of 108 (plenty for me); 44 bottom instead of 49 (seldom used, but nice-to-have Granny); better ratiometric progression
My 1971 Nishiki came w/ a 54-47 ringset, with a 14-34 5-speed freewheel. The 104 top end (almost exactly between 52/14 and 52/13, as others have noted) was OK, but I didn't miss it when I dropped back to 100 or even 96.
Difference: 96 top instead of 108 (plenty for me); 44 bottom instead of 49 (seldom used, but nice-to-have Granny); better ratiometric progression
My 1971 Nishiki came w/ a 54-47 ringset, with a 14-34 5-speed freewheel. The 104 top end (almost exactly between 52/14 and 52/13, as others have noted) was OK, but I didn't miss it when I dropped back to 100 or even 96.
08-25-13, 06:41 AM
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In the OP's position I would stick with 52T, unless I was not satisified with the gear ratios in the first place. 52T are by far the most ubiquitous chainrings in my experience, and hence the easiest to find and afford, generally.
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