Originally Posted by
Nadric
I guess this is as good a place to ask as any, as it's fairly on topic. I'm looking to switch out chainrings as my current set up is too steep for my area and level of conditioning. Trouble is I'm not sure how drastic of an effect going from my current 48t (16 rear) to something like a 38 or 40 would be.
How much of a difference would a drop like that make? Speak slowly, I'm new and stupid

48/16 is considered by most to be "high" for street use. It's cheaper to buy cogs than chainrings. Buy an 18t cog and you should be set.