Chainring swapping
#1
Brown Bear, Sqrl Hunter
Thread Starter
Chainring swapping
Realistically, how often are you guys changing chainrings at the track?
I've read that most warm up on a 48x16 and then train/race on a different gear.
Is centering the chainring ever an issue when doing these changes?
I've read that most warm up on a 48x16 and then train/race on a different gear.
Is centering the chainring ever an issue when doing these changes?
#2
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I'm sure it happens, but I've never seen anyone changing chainrings at the track. Cogs, yes, chainrings, no.
#3
aka mattio
I change my rings once or twice a night.
My answer depends on a lot of factors, though. My category, my track's race schedule, the weather, and so forth. But I raced up to a cat 2 doing only occasional gear changes, and racing nearly everything (endurance and sprint races) in a 90.
I usually warm up on a 16, and then change to a 15 for racing. 90 or 92 for most endurance events. Bit more for very short (that is, very fast) warm-up races if I'm gunning for a result.
One of the very fast guys at my track said he got tired of changing chanrings and just switches cogs. 15, 14, or 13. But he can turn over a very large gear.
I don't really fuss with centering a ring.
Good tip for making it all easier is to use a bit of tubular glue to glue in the backside bolts to your cranks.
My answer depends on a lot of factors, though. My category, my track's race schedule, the weather, and so forth. But I raced up to a cat 2 doing only occasional gear changes, and racing nearly everything (endurance and sprint races) in a 90.
I usually warm up on a 16, and then change to a 15 for racing. 90 or 92 for most endurance events. Bit more for very short (that is, very fast) warm-up races if I'm gunning for a result.
One of the very fast guys at my track said he got tired of changing chanrings and just switches cogs. 15, 14, or 13. But he can turn over a very large gear.
I don't really fuss with centering a ring.
Good tip for making it all easier is to use a bit of tubular glue to glue in the backside bolts to your cranks.
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I change chainrings virtually everytime I am at the track... and certainly if I am racing (as opposed to training).
For example... I ride the kilo on a different gear to a flying 200 and then usually use a couple of different gears for match sprinting and a bigger gear for keirin, but often the change is only a couple of inches and that requires a chainring or chainring and cog swap.
Yuo shouldn't have any issues centering the chainring, the chainring bolts should do that... just put them all in loosely first then tighten them up. It doesn't take long.
JMR
For example... I ride the kilo on a different gear to a flying 200 and then usually use a couple of different gears for match sprinting and a bigger gear for keirin, but often the change is only a couple of inches and that requires a chainring or chainring and cog swap.
Yuo shouldn't have any issues centering the chainring, the chainring bolts should do that... just put them all in loosely first then tighten them up. It doesn't take long.
JMR
#5
Brown Bear, Sqrl Hunter
Thread Starter
I change my rings once or twice a night.
My answer depends on a lot of factors, though. My category, my track's race schedule, the weather, and so forth. But I raced up to a cat 2 doing only occasional gear changes, and racing nearly everything (endurance and sprint races) in a 90.
I usually warm up on a 16, and then change to a 15 for racing. 90 or 92 for most endurance events. Bit more for very short (that is, very fast) warm-up races if I'm gunning for a result.
One of the very fast guys at my track said he got tired of changing chanrings and just switches cogs. 15, 14, or 13. But he can turn over a very large gear.
I don't really fuss with centering a ring.
Good tip for making it all easier is to use a bit of tubular glue to glue in the backside bolts to your cranks.
My answer depends on a lot of factors, though. My category, my track's race schedule, the weather, and so forth. But I raced up to a cat 2 doing only occasional gear changes, and racing nearly everything (endurance and sprint races) in a 90.
I usually warm up on a 16, and then change to a 15 for racing. 90 or 92 for most endurance events. Bit more for very short (that is, very fast) warm-up races if I'm gunning for a result.
One of the very fast guys at my track said he got tired of changing chanrings and just switches cogs. 15, 14, or 13. But he can turn over a very large gear.
I don't really fuss with centering a ring.
Good tip for making it all easier is to use a bit of tubular glue to glue in the backside bolts to your cranks.
Please forgive my ignorance.
Also, what front chainring are you using when you're describing the minimal rear cog changes?
#7
aka mattio
yeah, it's so you don't have to use one of those annoying chainring bolt tools that never seem to engage with any chainring backside bolt. prevents them from falling down all over the place.
re: front ring - i'm not sure what this rider was using. probably a 50.
re: front ring - i'm not sure what this rider was using. probably a 50.
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YMMV.
JMR
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Expect to change your gearing 2-5 times per training/race session.
Centering it isn't an issue.
You'll get to be fast with it in no time.
Pro tips:
1) Get knurled chainring bolts where the nut seats into the crank spider. Don't worry, it can be removed if you strip it out. This makes gear changes VERY fast.
https://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...roducts_id=628
2) Get a set of quality ball-head metric allen wrenches. Trust me. TOTALLY worth the expense. I have a set that i've been using since 2009. Use the short end to torque/loosen and the long end to spin on/off. Using 3-way allen wrenches suck at this task.
Only keep the wrenches that fit bolts on your rig with you. Store the rest at home in your tool box.
https://www.sears.com/craftsman-13pc-...p-00946755000P
3) Get a shop-quality lock ring remover and chain whip. You will be chaining cogs more often than mechanics at your local shop (seriously).
I use Hozan pliers and a Park Tool chain whip (originally 3/32 that I modified with a 1/8" chain)
4) At least TWO quality 15mm wrenches. One to keep in your gear bag and one for the trunk of your car (and leave it there) for when you load/unload your bike. They should be 15mm on BOTH the open and closed ends (not 14mm on one side and 15mm on the other).
It's a pain in the butt to be dead tired from training and have to go digging deep in your gear bag for the 15mm to take your wheels off your bike.
Get one where the closed end is flat (not angled) as possible. When you are applying torque to tighten rear wheels, if the angle is really sharp, it will jump off of some nuts that have narrow shoulders (like on Zipp 900 disks). I'd replace those with Dura Ace anyway. Just remember that front and rear nuts have different thread pitches.
Not too long and not too short. My Craftsman is 7" long (heh heh heh). Shorter is not enough torque and longer is too much.
5) OPTIONAL: Get a ratcheting 15mm wrench. This is helpful, too. I lost my favorite one.
I've been using all of the tools listed above for 5 years or more. You'll use them your entire racing career...or until someone doesn't return something As a buddy who owns a high-end wood crafting shop told me when I borrowed something from him a second time during my rookie season, "If you have to borrow a tool more than once, you need your own."
Centering it isn't an issue.
You'll get to be fast with it in no time.
Pro tips:
1) Get knurled chainring bolts where the nut seats into the crank spider. Don't worry, it can be removed if you strip it out. This makes gear changes VERY fast.
https://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...roducts_id=628
2) Get a set of quality ball-head metric allen wrenches. Trust me. TOTALLY worth the expense. I have a set that i've been using since 2009. Use the short end to torque/loosen and the long end to spin on/off. Using 3-way allen wrenches suck at this task.
Only keep the wrenches that fit bolts on your rig with you. Store the rest at home in your tool box.
https://www.sears.com/craftsman-13pc-...p-00946755000P
3) Get a shop-quality lock ring remover and chain whip. You will be chaining cogs more often than mechanics at your local shop (seriously).
I use Hozan pliers and a Park Tool chain whip (originally 3/32 that I modified with a 1/8" chain)
4) At least TWO quality 15mm wrenches. One to keep in your gear bag and one for the trunk of your car (and leave it there) for when you load/unload your bike. They should be 15mm on BOTH the open and closed ends (not 14mm on one side and 15mm on the other).
It's a pain in the butt to be dead tired from training and have to go digging deep in your gear bag for the 15mm to take your wheels off your bike.
Get one where the closed end is flat (not angled) as possible. When you are applying torque to tighten rear wheels, if the angle is really sharp, it will jump off of some nuts that have narrow shoulders (like on Zipp 900 disks). I'd replace those with Dura Ace anyway. Just remember that front and rear nuts have different thread pitches.
Not too long and not too short. My Craftsman is 7" long (heh heh heh). Shorter is not enough torque and longer is too much.
5) OPTIONAL: Get a ratcheting 15mm wrench. This is helpful, too. I lost my favorite one.
I've been using all of the tools listed above for 5 years or more. You'll use them your entire racing career...or until someone doesn't return something As a buddy who owns a high-end wood crafting shop told me when I borrowed something from him a second time during my rookie season, "If you have to borrow a tool more than once, you need your own."
Last edited by carleton; 02-28-13 at 10:08 PM.
#11
aka mattio
I use Miche splined cogs, btw, and I love 'em. Obviates the need for a chainwhip.
Taking one step out of the process is really nice.
Taking one step out of the process is really nice.
Last edited by queerpunk; 03-02-13 at 07:46 AM.
#12
Brown Bear, Sqrl Hunter
Thread Starter
There needs to be a thread of Carleton's protips.
Thanks so much!
Thanks so much!
#14
Brown Bear, Sqrl Hunter
Thread Starter
Hey Carleton,
I tried to go with the Sugino bolts like you suggested, and they were too short to work with Omniums+FSA Pro track ring.
Edit:
Nvm found this
I should've gone Dura Ace. :|
I tried to go with the Sugino bolts like you suggested, and they were too short to work with Omniums+FSA Pro track ring.
Edit:
Nvm found this
Buy:
- 1 set of steel single chainring bolts with knurled backs (the female part)
- 1 set of steel DOUBLE chainring bolts (MTB guys use these)
- strong super glue. I used Gorilla Glue but any would work I guess.
Use the backs from the singles set and the bolts from the doubles set. The bolts will poke through, but they won't harm anything. Test first though to make sure. I used longer bolts than singles to make sure I got enough purchase on the threads as the crank spider is so thick.
If the knurled backs don't set (probably won't) then glue them in.
- 1 set of steel single chainring bolts with knurled backs (the female part)
- 1 set of steel DOUBLE chainring bolts (MTB guys use these)
- strong super glue. I used Gorilla Glue but any would work I guess.
Use the backs from the singles set and the bolts from the doubles set. The bolts will poke through, but they won't harm anything. Test first though to make sure. I used longer bolts than singles to make sure I got enough purchase on the threads as the crank spider is so thick.
If the knurled backs don't set (probably won't) then glue them in.
Last edited by Jaytron; 03-05-13 at 12:45 PM.
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1) Use the female knurled backs from the single chainring bolt set and seat them in the spider. You may have to use super glue with Omniums. Other crank arms work fine (Shimano, Campy, SRM, Sugino).
2) Go to a store that has MTB parts and get some *steel* double chainring bolts that MTBers use. Use the male part from these bolts. They are longer and will reach through the back of the chainring. This is OK. They won't (shouldn't) touch your chain stay.
This is what I did when I had Omniums:
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I need to try and confirm this. I've been waiting with the plans on purchasing one of his track frames. If that's the case I need to push my date up...quick!
#21
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He isn't doing customs anymore but he has various frames in standard sizing, and I heard this several months ago, so who knows what's left. I'd get in contact real quick if you're interested.
#22
Brown Bear, Sqrl Hunter
Thread Starter
Kind of a silly question, but if the chainring bolts extend out, how do I hold the female side in?
Oh.. glue them before even trying?
Double chainring bolts=8mm?
This is what I need for male? https://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...oducts_id=3626
Female- https://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...roducts_id=628
Oh.. glue them before even trying?
Double chainring bolts=8mm?
This is what I need for male? https://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...oducts_id=3626
Female- https://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...roducts_id=628
Last edited by Jaytron; 03-08-13 at 09:54 AM.
#24
Brown Bear, Sqrl Hunter
Thread Starter
#25
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Kind of a silly question, but if the chainring bolts extend out, how do I hold the female side in?
Oh.. glue them before even trying?
Double chainring bolts=8mm?
This is what I need for male? https://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...oducts_id=3626
Female- https://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...roducts_id=628
Oh.. glue them before even trying?
Double chainring bolts=8mm?
This is what I need for male? https://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...oducts_id=3626
Female- https://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...roducts_id=628
If you set the female part in place, when you snug the first chainring on it will seat it. If the hole is too big, then yeah, glue it.
Yes, those are the right parts. You should be able to buy them locally.