chain ring sizing

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Permalink Reply by Chris Mayhew on October 23, 2011 at 7:12pm

In general something between a 39 and 42 works best for a single ring setup. A 42 will work for most people most of the time. I've paired mine with an 11-28 this year and could not ask for better gearing. For my female clients I've found a 40 works best.

 

I think you'll find a "real" cross bike a lot faster and not need a 32 so much. I can't imagine using a 32 as even a little ring on a double setup, that's a low gear.

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Permalink Reply by Gunnar Shogren on October 24, 2011 at 7:20pm

Well Chris you do need to keep in mind that the guy probably has been riding around on MTB tyres, so the 32t isn't quite as small as you think.

 

I will also add that Betsy has run a 29t on the inner just to be able to climb some steep little pitches in the past, like the grunts at Granogue and such.  Other than that she does like to grunt the high ring around...

 

Personal feeling is that an 11 is about useless, blech.  I prefer a 12x27 cause I really dislike big jumps in those clusters.  I would prefer a 13xXX even more, but them's too hard to find.

 

And for the fellow that originally asked, you'll find that the smaller CX tyres are gonna feel a shit-ton different.  Put them on a real CX frame and they'll different again.

 

But you have fun racing, that's the most important thing.

 

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Permalink Reply by Eric Nelson on October 23, 2011 at 7:32pm

Go with a 42, I used to be kinda fast but now am old and slow and the 42 is still workin. To boot I have campy so don't benefit from running a spread cassette like most of the sram/shimano peeps here (yet).

Could probably go 44 if your fit and run a spread and be just fine. I probably will next year once I make the jump. screw campy

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Permalink Reply by andrew on October 23, 2011 at 10:23pm

Eric, you could always run Shimergo and take advantage of the Campy levers and the Shimano/Sram cassettes.

 

Erik, I agree with the guys above.  39-42 work fine, especially when paired with an 11.  the sram apex 11-32 is pretty nice on a budget (shimano has options too, but we haven't reviewed them), esp if you do some road and trail rides with the cx bike. you may have chain tension issues though that will require chainguards to prevent the slack chain from jumping off. 

 

good luck! 

 

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