bokes

I'm thinking of removing the large chainring from my 105 triple because i never use it. I don't ride that fast because after back surgery i don't want to risk a high speed crash. I would go single chainring but i like to use the granny from time to time.
On the net i found some chainring bolts with built in spacers for a missing chainring, should i use them or throw on some kind of chain guard?
Then all i need to do is adjust the FD outer limit screw, right? Should i put on a slightly shorter BB for a slightly improved chainline?
Thanks in advance.

mechBgon

Suggestion: leave it on there. Your risk of injury is going to be higher with it missing, since the chain can then fall off the outside of the middle ring. When you suddenly have no chain engagement, you may lose control, or at least stress your back unnecessarily, as your cranks suddenly free-fall.

If you feel like it, use the high-gear limiting screw to lock out the big ring.

rufvelo

Agreed. No benefit to remvoving it(weight savings?). Maybe replace with 46t so you can still use it sometimes, or not at all, but do leave a ring in place.

bokes

Your posts inspired me to research this, and i found a "chain retention guard" that mounts in place of the big chainring. I like this cuz it's one less thing to cut my leg on if i'm clumsy. Maybe a tad lighter too.
On my next BB replacement, should i get one slightly longer for a better chainline?

mechBgon

I don't really know what to say, except that it sounds like you have a fixation on removing your big chainring. If you must remove it to placate The Voices, then yeah, put the "chain retention guard" in its place so your chain stays put. The chainline is probably already spot-on, but you can have it checked if you think it might be incorrect.

seely

Honestly, I can't see the point in removing it. Isn't it just as easy to not use it? Perhaps crank the high limit down a turn? I'm just not seeing the point here.

ApolloCVermouth

There might be a point if you were to convert your bike to a single chainring setup. Then you could loose the granny, shifter, cables etc. To do this on a road bike you would want to buy a chainring with tall teeth made specifically for this application. Sheldon Brown has recommends this (relatively) cheap BMX ring which is drilled for both 110 and 135 bolt patterns.

https://harriscyclery.net/site/itemdetails.cfm?ID=1188

Also shorten the chain to further reduce the chance of it falling off. Personally I like the idea of the single ring. Eight gears is plenty for where I live. Make sure you pick a size that covers the gear range you need (probably 42-48 teeth).

rufvelo

I tried, but I don't get it either...

...on the other hand who do you think they make that $300 carbon protector chainring, plus $250 carbon rear wheel 'dork disk' replacement for....

That way everyone's happy during Christmas