View Single Post
Old 03-21-09 | 11:34 AM
  #3  
joejack951's Avatar
joejack951
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,103
Likes: 96
From: Wilmington, DE

Bikes: 2016 Hong Fu FM-079-F, 1984 Trek 660, 2005 Iron Horse Warrior Expert, 2009 Pedal Force CX1, 2016 Islabikes Beinn 20 (son's)

First, does your crank have bolted on chainrings? Second, do you have any particular reason for wanting to stick with the same crankarms?

I ask those questions because chainrings are generally not very cheap. To replace all three chainrings, or even just the two largest rings, on a medium to low end crank will probably cost you as much as buying a whole new crank. If the bike is low end, you can get VERY cheap 48/38/28 cranksets which are great for commuting (in my opinion of course).

This is nothing special but it'll get the job done:
http://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...&category=2637

This is about as cheap as it gets:
http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...oducts_id=6611

Here's something nicer with slightly smaller rings:
http://www.speedgoat.com/product.asp...=32&brand=1004

Do note that you may need a new bottom bracket depending on which crankset you go with. The above are all square taper so if you have a different interface and don't want to swap, you'll need to find something else. Your current front derailler should have no trouble with a 48 tooth big ring. If you wanted to go with a 50 or 52, then you might want to consider a road front derailler though that brings it's own set a of issues, and for that reason I'd recommend sticking with a 48. A 48/11 combo is bigger than a 52/12 (common road bike top gear) anyway.
joejack951 is offline  
Reply