Originally Posted by
Straws
As long as we're asking questions.
Is a 42t chainring too small with which to start?
I run a 42-15 which is 74 gear inches. Not bad to start or to stay with but it really depends upon your abilities and the hills you need to climb. btw, 44-16 is ~73 gear inches(using 700 x 25c)
In comparison, a 48-16 would be 79 gear inches.
42-15 @ 100 rpm = 22mph
48-16 @ 100 rpm = 23.5mph
Swapping cogs gives you more results than swapping the chainring.
But the big chainring looks cool so that has to be taken into consideration.