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[Closed] 30 tooth or smaller single chainring options?

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[#4270682]

Been reading the XX1 posts with interest and at the same time thinking how to get lower gears on my Fuel without adding a second chainring. Currently running 1x9 32 up front 11-34 cassette. Picked up a post here about running smaller front (XX1 I think) chainrings so was wondering what the options are for people with much less deep pockets?

So far I'm considering:

Option 1: MRP Bling ring things, available in 28t and 30t but needing new SRAM cranks which have some bb reliablity issues perhaps?

Option 2: some Middleburn or similar compact drive cranks allowing 30t chainring, but square taper?

Both also needing new chain guides to the Radium, Salsa bashring combo on my setup.

Any other options?


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 12:49 pm
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What are your current cranks?


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 1:14 pm
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Middleburn Duo with just the inner (27 or 29) ring?

Longer axle on existing cranks (ST, ISIS and Octalink only) and use a larger granny ring?

Trekking Shimano crankset with 28-38-48 and remove excess?

PaulD


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 1:31 pm
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Running SLX HT2 cranks, so 32t the smallest standard I think. Some mentions of 31 or 30 but not very good reports.


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 1:32 pm
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Do you really want to do that? 28/11 is a pretty small top gear.


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 1:35 pm
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If your BB shell is 68mm, your cheapest solution is to fit a 28T granny and move the crankset across by moving the NDS spacer to the drive side.
If you have a 73mm shell, good luck.

PaulD


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 1:40 pm
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If your BB shell is 68mm, your cheapest solution is to fit a 28T granny and move the crankset across by moving the NDS spacer to the drive side.
If you have a 73mm shell, good luck.

Good idea, actually had a 30t inner at one point on a funny road bik/mtb hybrid.

Do you really want to do that? 28/11 is a pretty small top gear.

Find I rarely use 32/11, perhaps on smooth road descents; could use a bit of help on rocky loose climbs.


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 2:06 pm
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Why dont you leave it at 32 and just fit a 11-36 at the back ?


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 2:19 pm
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could use a bit of help on rocky loose climbs

I'll bite, gym membership?

Only solution I can think of are middleburn who do a 29t duo (which you can IIRC run without an outer) as Paul said.

That or three piece BMX cranks, but they'll be heavy, and creak.


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 2:20 pm
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I'm currently using (on one of my singlespeeds) an HBC 28T Uno-style chainring on Middleburn cranks.
If you're in a hurry to get one it might not be a good idea to go the HBC route but it's nice stuff.


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 2:27 pm
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I've been thinking an FSA 386 chainset and ditch the big ring to give you a 27t?
Good price on CRC at the moment[url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=75445 ]FSA 386[/url]

There is also another FSA crank with a 29t... I guess the problem with these is that in a few years you might struggle to get any rings to fit the very bizzare BCD's involved ๐Ÿ™„


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 2:35 pm
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Find I rarely use 32/11, perhaps on smooth road descents; could use a bit of help on rocky loose climbs.

Then maybe a single ring set up isn't for you... just saying.


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 2:45 pm
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Find I rarely use 32/11, perhaps on smooth road descents; could use a bit of help on rocky loose climbs.

Then maybe a single ring set up isn't for you... just saying.

Or perhaps the terrain he rides is different to yours ๐Ÿ™„


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 2:47 pm
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I find 35t with 11-34 is spot on. On the very rare occasion as I feel asthough I need an easier gear, I change into a harder gear and stand up, and im no pro.


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 2:48 pm
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I find 35t with 11-34 is spot on. On the very rare occasion as I feel asthough I need an easier gear, I change into a harder gear and stand up, and im no pro.

WTF? I bet you don't ride the same terrain either... Next thing people will suggest is taking some -
[img] [/img]

๐Ÿ˜‰


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 2:57 pm
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Or perhaps the terrain he rides is different to yours

What is it with these threads, he may well ride different terrain to me, or be less fit, or on a heavier bike, or have a different style, or have bad knees, or all of those, but I didn't draw a comparison to me at all. I've not even said if I use 1x here, so wind your neck in. ๐Ÿ™„

IMO wanting a single ring that's halfway between a granny and a middle would suggest to me that I perhaps wasn't cut out for riding a single ring and that a double set up may be more appropriate for the riding I did. Or, as TINAS said a gym membership to get a bit stronger. If you're happy with a 27t single that's fine, I was merely offering an alternative.


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 3:02 pm
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[img] [/img]

Just saying.


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 3:07 pm
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Hmmm, nope, was no funnier even after you edited.

**slow clap**

**jogs slowly away from the fatty**


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 3:12 pm
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Why dont you leave it at 32 and just fit a 11-36 at the back

Yeah this is what I use. Works well most places.


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 3:15 pm
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Why dont you leave it at 32 and just fit a 11-36 at the back

Yeah this is what I use. Works well most places.

perfect for a 29er


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 3:20 pm
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Hmmm, nope, was no funnier even after you edited.
**slow clap**
**jogs slowly away from the fatty**

Wow... that is one easy to bruise ego. Get well soon.


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 3:30 pm
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Chuckle, chuckle.

11-36 would be good but I'm running 9 speed so might be as complicated to change (mech? + shifter) plus mate who rides loads tells me the chains don't last long?

I'm at the bottom south east corner of the Brecon Beacons so lots of short loose rocky climbs and the problem is that with the insane amounts of torque I can apply it's hard to maintain traction whilst a lower gear might mean I could spin up the loose stuff...


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 5:36 pm
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No problem with chain durability on 10 speed, particularly with a single ring. Expensive way to get an extra half a gear though for sure.


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 6:21 pm
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11-36 would be good but I'm running 9 speed so might be as complicated to change (mech? + shifter) plus mate who rides loads tells me the chains don't last long?

I'm running 9-speed with that, well, 12-36 I think the shimano cassette is. 32 front, 12-36 rear.


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 6:26 pm
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I'm running 9-speed with that, well, 12-36 I think the shimano cassette is. 32 front, 12-36 rear.

Ooo, that sounds like the simplest way to experiment, off to the bike shop tomorrow!

Cheers


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 6:30 pm
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I have a 30T TA specialities ring on the granny position on SLX cranks. 11-36 on the back.

Works well on a 29er where 32 up front is a bit high if you regularly ride hills rather than just bimbling around the woods.

Only slight hitch is getting a chain guide to fit, so I had to make my own.

If it's good enough for [url= http://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/lapierre-xr-29er-first-ride/ ]Nico[/url] it's good enough for me. ๐Ÿ™‚


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 8:05 pm
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I have a 30T TA specialities ring on the granny position on SLX cranks. 11-36 on the back.

Works well on a 29er where 32 up front is a bit high if you regularly ride hills rather than just bimbling around the woods.

Only slight hitch is getting a chain guide to fit, so I had to make my own.

If it's good enough for Nico it's good enough for me.

Like it, just sold one of those rings but I like it. Stored for future experimentation. ๐Ÿ˜€


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 8:22 pm
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I run a 30T single ring on my 29er.
It's a 5-arm ATB ring (74mm inner) on a set of rotor xc2 cranks.
Never really found the 30-11 top gear much of a limiting factor...


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 8:44 pm
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Cheapest is probably a square taper (solid) road crank with a 28 in the granny.
I'm running a truvativ AKA with a 28 bling ring.works perfectly.
Can't turn it around like the hbc rings but:
a-chainline is much better.
b-I've ordered 2 hbc rings 3months ago and still no news.
running 11-34.

I find traction is better with lower gears,My knees are ****d,I do 7-8h rides,Terrain is steep,there are 2 30minute climbs I just can't do with a 32,was limiting myself to 2-3h rides before I got the blingring.

running a 22-32 with a 14-28 cassette on the other bike.low gear is 21" on both.

i'll probably get hellore to make me an adapter for 74bcd ch.rings.so that I can use rings that are half price and then turn them around.more choice too.Not usre if it's going to be less stiff though.those mrp rings are really well made.plus they come with stickers.


 
Posted : 17/08/2012 9:00 pm