TheDean

the title says it all! I just got a new crank set and chainring on with 46 teeth that was stepping down from my last one with 50 teeth. My rear cog is right now a 20T but I have a 14 and a 15 (both campy). With a 46x20 it would be 60 gear inches (seems wicked short), but with the 14 and 15 it would be 86, and 80. Would I be okay maybe with the 46x15 or should I shoot for a 16T or maybe even a 17T? Well anyway how do I go about taking off the lockring and such? What tools do I need. And yes I do relise I asked a ton of questions and went on a rant about gear inches!

hiredgoons

For the lockring, you'll need something like https://www.bikepartsusa.com/product_...=1&p=01-137936. Other companies (including Park) make similar tools, but that's the only one I've tried, and it works beautifully. You're probably aware of this, but just in case: the lockring is reverse threaded (turn it clockwise to remove). You could buy a chainwhip to take the cog off, but if your cog is 1/8" it won't work, and you could rotafix it off for free (make sure you reverse what's on that page in order to remove the cog).

Also, I've heard people say they've removed lockrings with a screwdriver and hammer. Personally, if I really didn't want to buy the wrench I'd just have a shop do it, but if you'd rather do it yourself, it might be something to consider.

mander

Has anyone ever got a cog loose by riding slowly with the lockring off and then carefully backpedaling? This seems so simple that I bet I'm missing something.

TheDean no one can tell you what your best gi is but 80 is definitely on the high side for street riding.

onetwentyeight 

you could by throwing a few hard skids but its a little dangerous. if you dont have a chainwhip, use reverse rotafix.

sivat

It would be pretty hard to control and you would risk screwing up the threads on the hub. Otherwise it would work, but you would have to backpedal pretty hard to do it. Standing on the pedal with the wheel against a wall would probably work better.

trons

reverse rotafix if the chainwhip isn't working

666pack

i think sixty gear inches is better than eighty for street riding.
i'd rather spin than struggle... low ratios are a lot of fun if you're good at spinning. controlling the bike is so much easier at a lower ratio and it's just a lot more fun.

maybe if i was going for straighaway speed i'd run a big gearing, but i go for all around versatility and fun.

TheDean

problem is Im lazy and I like to go fast so I like the higher GI (I ran a 52x15 for almost a year on my last bike).

I Like Peeing

I run 39x15 and I feel like I can go fast enough, and I spin like whoa.

dutret

All of the above + chances are it would come off in a reasonable amount of time anyway.

dutret

52x15 is crazy high. It sounds like you are someone who would benefit from working on their spin. I suggest you try not to be lazy for a few months and ride the 46/20 you may be a bit slower but I bet when you switch back up to something in the 70s you will be a better rider for the work you put in.

*new*guy

no kidding! I had to carry a heavy load home with me yesterday for my long commute so I changed my chainring the night before and ran 46x19... man was that ever fun. It feels almost effortless on the flats. I may just keep it like that for a while just for kicks.

erikvonb

If you're used to 52x15, than 46x15 would be great for you IMO. I'm assuming the terrain where you are is pretty flat? I'm riding 46x15 right now in Ottawa, which isn't too hilly, and it's great, as long as I don't have a crazy headwind like I had last week . At one point, the headwind was so strong that I came to a stop and was using every ounce of effort to NOT roll backwards....crazy. Thinking about gearing down even more.

-Erik