gearing question
 

I am running a 42x16 on my bike right now. It's a bit easy for me, so I am thinking about going a little bigger. My question is, should I change the chainring or the cog? should I go 42x14, 44x16 (it seems to me that they should be the same) or 46x16? Is there a benefit to changing the cog over the chainring (or vice versa)?
thanks

Chainring...if you put it at 42x14 you'll have less options if you ever want to change it up again.

I'd make smaller changes in your ratio, change 2T in the front or 1T at the back and get used to it.

So 44x16 would probably be my vote or conversly dropping to 42x15.

Note that:
Cogs are cheaper than chains and easier to change. But higher teeth counts last a little longer as the wear is a little less, also have more engagement so its much harder to drop a chain etc.

Chainrings are not always available in certain teeth counts depending on your bcd/pcd.

You may have to adjust you chain length (if you drop a cog size) or increase it (ie get a new chain) if you go for a bigger chainring.

42x14 and 44x16 are not the same. changing one tooth in the rear gives a bigger difference than changing one in the front. it's roughly a 3-to-1 ratio. three teeth in the front are equivalent to one in the rear.

anyway, http://sheldonbrown.com/gears/ will offer some insight on how much you're changing. i used to ride 39x14, which was 73 gear-inches, and chanced to 46x16, which is 75 gear inches. i was surprised at how noticeable the difference was. make smaller changes. i'd go for 44x16 or 45x16 under the circumstances. if you're not picky about your products, you can find cheap chainrings. rocketrings come in both 110 and 130 bcd (bolt circle diameter-- the important measurement for chainrings) and are eighteen bucks. and if you ask your local bike shop, they might have used/discarded chainrings lying around in the shop that they'd give you for free or cheap.

Go to 42x15. If that's not enough, you can get a 14t, and so on down to a 12t. If you are pushing a 42x12, you are a monster.

Do know if you care, but you might want to consider the # of skid patches when making your gearing changes. I have found this to be very useful because I hate having to drop a ton of money on new tires. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...t=Skid+Patches

I use this table all of the time. It allows you to alter it depending on certain variables (tire size). http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3521 Click on Gear Tables (.XLS 227KB) for an XL spreadsheet.

damn, i was gonna mention skid patches. those are a big deal to me, since i don't like dropping a lot of money on tires, either.

since you said 44/16 up top, i'm going to say 43/16...it's closer and has 16 skid patches.

i dont think cogs are easier to change than chainrings. also, there's a greater likelihood of messing up when changing your cog and screwing up your hub.

I agree with the easier chainring than cog deal. Looking at that skid chart, I think I want to go with a 43 tooth. Should i just take it to the lbs to figure out the bcd, or is that something I can figure myself? (sakae sx crank)
Also, I read that I can flip the bb spindle to adjust the chainline. Is that true?

If you have a fixed/fixed hub then get a new cog. Then you can have options.

i went from 42x16 to 44x16 and it was a perfect step up. 3 gear inches or so, enough to feel the difference and help the top end but still climbable. To me this gear range(70-74 inches) is the most versatile, i tried 48x16 for a bit but hated life in headwinds or longer uphills. 48x18 falls right in the sweet spot too.

44x16 is a bad ratio for skid patches.

i recently went 42/16 to 42/14 and it was too big a jump.i like to spin. currently at 40/14 (75 or so inches) and i like it fine but will soon go 42/15 for what i would consider my sweet gear at 73 or so inches.word up.


my bad, 42/15 is like 75 inches or so. still, word up...

^ Dead cyclops kitten!! *cries in corner*

Not as bad as 48x16, i.e. what I'm running now.

i vote for 44/16. i do most of my ridin' in boston and i live atop a pretty good hill. i haven't found a hill yet i had to get off or switchback up. and on the flats, rollin' 44/16 is great for me. dependin' on where ya are, try that. :) :beer:

edit--i see you're in florida! dude, bang a bigger gear. i think the highest point in florida is only about a hundred feet. go big! :D :)

don't they both have one skid patch only?

by the way, my lady friend is a descendant of daniel boone.

48x16 has only one skid patch whereas the 44x16 has 4

48x16 = 1 skid patch, 2 if switch (lucky me!)
44x16 = 4 skid patches, 8 is switch

Lucky for your lady! I'll bet she looks great in a coonskin cap.

okay, my bad. i didn't have the chart in front of me, but i could have sworn...oh, well.

i tried to get her to wear one this one time...she wouldn't do it. now i have to get her to do so, even if it means trickery....hmmmmm....