Are Bigger Chainrings Say 50 To 70 Tooth Better For A 20 Inch Wheel Folding Bike?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Will you go faster if you replace the stock chainring on your bike, like the 50t one shown here, with a larger chainring, like the 56t behind it?

99% of the time the answer is no, you will likely go slower

. That example is for a 50 tooth front, 12 tooth rear sprocket.

Do I need bigger chainring?

The size of a chainring (often expressed in terms of the amount of teeth on it, e.g. a 53t ring) plays a direct role in your bike’s gearing, with

bigger rings meaning a higher (harder to push) gear

and smaller rings a lower (easier to push) gear.

Can I put a larger chainring on my bike?

Most likely, you’ll have a pretty straight chainline with an outer chainring of 48 or 50 teeth.

Going larger in this instance would just increase the shifting you have to do at the front and provide minimal gains

. But also don’t discount the benefits of the 46 tooth chainring option.

What size chainring is best?

In general, stock

32t and 42t

chainring sizes are good, but I think many riders will enjoy riding more with a smaller ring. Don’t be swayed by macho racers pushing pie plate-sized rings. It may require some experimentation.

How do I choose chainrings?


The larger chainring gives you bigger, harder to turn gears that move you further per pedal revolution

– so it’s suitable for higher speeds – while the smaller chainring gives you gears that are easier to turn but move you a shorter distance per pedal revolution – so it’s suitable for lower speeds, including riding …

What gear should I use on a flat road?


Middle Gear

This is a great gear for everyday terrain when you’re cruising along on a flat road or on undulating terrain. You want some resistance, but not too much. If the road goes up and down a bit, you’ll probably flick between the rear gears to cater for changes.

What do chainring numbers mean?

The numbers (53/39, etc) refer to

the number of gear teeth on each end

. In the case of the crank, it means that your large chainring (the “gear” attached to the crank) has 53 teeth, and the smaller one has 39.

Do all chainrings fit all cranks?

The two main determinants on which size of chainrings you can use is the spider type and Bolt Circle Diameter (BCD). Cranks have either four or five bolt chainring attachment know as the spider.

You can’t run 5-bolt chainrings on 4-bolt cranks and vice versa

. Newer chainsets are 4 bolt while everything else is 5 bolt.

Can you change chainring size?

Can I Change Chainring Size?

Yes yeah can but you cannot just change your current chainring for something that does not work with your current setup

. Meaning the new chainring you get for your bike needs to works with your current chainset. Your cranks will have a specific bolt layout or fitment spec.

What is the difference between 50 34 and 52 36?


52 36 is faster on flat terrains

. The 52T chainring when combined with small cogs like 11, will give you more speed than using a 50 34. 3. The 50 34 compact crankset is lighter than 52 36 because it comes with smaller chainrings, shorter chains, and can also be paired with smaller cassettes.

How many teeth should my chainring have?

Standard cranksets are typically 53T/39T. In most cases, you can change your chainrings to have different tooth counts, but as a general rule

you don’t want to have more than a 16-tooth difference between the big ring and little ring

or you may have shifting issues.

Are oval chainrings better for knees?

The cycling world is largely divided into mashers and spinners. When I was a kid watching the pros, this dichotomy just increased the rivalry and contrast of Lance Armstrong and Jan Ullrich.

How do I know what size chainring I need for my front?

Choosing the correct chainring


The smaller the chainring, the easier the lowest gear for climbing; the bigger the chainring, the faster you can go in the highest gear

. You can calculate the gearing ratio by dividing the teeth of the chainring with the teeth of the cog on the cassette.

Are oval chainrings better?

Oval chainrings

maximize the part of the stroke where power is produced and minimize resistance where it isn’t

. As a direct consequence, Oval rings enhance a cyclist’s ability to spin with a smoother power delivery and feel much easier on legs while climbing. Meaning you will go faster and get less tired.

What size are chainring bolts?

One aspect that is often overlooked is that many chainrings have recessed bolt holes, the depth of the recess should also be taken into consideration.

Single bolts are generally between 3.5 – 5.0mm Long. Double bolts are generally between 5.0 – 6.5mm long. Triple bolts are generally 7.0mm or longer

.

Do you shift gears while pedaling?


You still have to be pedaling while you shift gears

, but don’t be pedaling hard as you change them. Lightening the pressure on the pedals facilitates a much smoother, more quiet shift. This technique too is easier on your bike. Fourth, remember to shift into a low numbered gear before you stop.

How do you shift a 21 speed bike?

What’s the difference between high gear and low gear?

In general, you’ll want to keep this rule of thumb in mind:

the lower the gear, the more power you have available

. The higher the gear, the faster your engine runs! With both manual and automatic transmissions, you’ll generally move from lower to higher gears as you accelerate.

What is the difference between a 21 speed and 18 speed bicycle?

18-speed bikes and 21-speed bikes are two of the most popular gearing groupset among most cyclists. But what are the main differences between the two?

18-speed bikes are cheaper, suitable for shorter and rougher terrains. On the other hand, 21-speed bikes are faster and smoother but expensive

.

How do you upgrade chainring?

What gear ratio is best for climbing?

All other things being equal, the 34T sprocket on the

11-34T cassette

is going to give you the easiest gear. If your bike is currently fitted with an 11-28T cassette, switching to an 11-34T cassette will make climbing less of a struggle.

Jasmine Sibley
Author
Jasmine Sibley
Jasmine is a DIY enthusiast with a passion for crafting and design. She has written several blog posts on crafting and has been featured in various DIY websites. Jasmine's expertise in sewing, knitting, and woodworking will help you create beautiful and unique projects.