Recommend a Chainring for Single Speed Bike (preferably Black)

blobert · 31-03-2010 10:23pm #1

Hi folks,

At the moment I'm running a 42 x 15 ratio on my Langster.

The 15t freewheel has broken and I cant get a replacement so I'm going to need to get a 16t freewheel and bigger chainring for a similar gearing, 44x16 is about the closest I can get I think.

Am looking for recommendations on a 44t Chainring.

I believe the TA one are highly regarded:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/TA_130_PCD_Track_44-49T_Chainring/5360012825/

The only problem is I'm looking for a black one ideally.

Now I see wiggle have this TA chainring in black:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/TA_130_PCD_Road~Track_44-48T_Inner_Chainring/5360025266/

It's also quite a lot cheaper and the 2 reviews seem positive. It's not a track specific chainring so are there likely to be any drawbacks?

Any other suggestions in the same price bracket would be appreciated.

Thanks

Doc_Savage · 01-04-2010 1:48am

the second one is not one eighth inch.... if you have a 1/8th inch chain then it may be noisy... that's about it!

tunney · 01-04-2010 10:09am

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=40538

I had a silver TA 46 but changed to a 48 of these. Solid, and I'm not worried about folding it.

Lumen · 01-04-2010 11:06am

tunney wrote: »

I had a silver TA 46 but changed to a 48 of these. Solid, and I'm not worried about folding it.

What's wrong with the 50t? Wimp!

blorg · 01-04-2010 11:24am

Miche 1/8" black

Main thing with chainrings is that they be as round as possible; apart from that there isn't a lot in it I don't think. Although tunney did manage to fold one on his Bowery. Doubt you would fold a 1/8" one, they are pretty beefy.

I have a TA one (49T) for my track bike. Seems very well made but silver.

Make sure to check your BCD, I am presuming it is 144 (track standard) on the Langster.

EDIT: Actually looks like BCD on the Langster chainset is 130, so those Miche ones won't work.

tunney · 01-04-2010 11:24am

Lumen wrote: »

What's wrong with the 50t? Wimp!

Don't yet have the torque for a 50x18 up the hills and into the headwind that is my journey home. Joys of not training properly.

blobert · 01-04-2010 12:07pm

Thanks for the replies guys.

I'm using this 1/8" chain:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=25435

The Langster is indeed 130 BCD

I previously bought a Gebhardt cheapy chainring when I got the bike first and had a lot of noise with chainline.

Seeing as I'm getting a new frewheel, and chainring (and chain if it helps) I'd be looking to get something that's as noiseless as possible.

If I were to get the Black TA chainring, a 3/32" chain such as this:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=25433
And a standard Shimano freewheel should that minimise noise?

Although I'm guessing its better to have everything 1/8" if possible?

Doc_Savage · 01-04-2010 12:29pm

it doesn't really matter which size you have but it matters that everything matches!

blobert · 01-04-2010 12:36pm

Thanks,

Blackspire do a 45t so I could do a 45x16 ratio which would be perfect for me.

CRC have the 45t available in 3/32" but not the 1/8", this would mean a new chain also.

Will look around and see if I can find the 1/8" elsewhere, they seem to get good reviews.

Or I could just get the £20 TA one.

blorg · 01-04-2010 12:39pm

AFAIK most freewheels are 3/32 anyway, even the ones that are run with 1/8" chains. My Tricross came with a 3/32 freewheel, 1/8" chain and chainring. Chains are cheap enough.

Doc_Savage · 01-04-2010 12:43pm

blorg you might correct me here but i think it's nigh on impossible to throw the chain on the cog, it'll only ever do it on the chainring. so match the chain to the chainring and FUGEDDABOODIT! Lube it and go!

oh and a new chain is cheap as blorg said and it'll keep things quiet!

blorg · 01-04-2010 12:51pm

Doc_Savage wrote: »

blorg you might correct me here but i think it's nigh on impossible to throw the chain on the cog, it'll only ever do it on the chainring. so match the chain to the chainring and FUGEDDABOODIT! Lube it and go!

oh and a new chain is cheap as blorg said and it'll keep things quiet!

My own experience with thrown chains fixed is that they have ALWAYS come off on the cog, not the chainring. Happened to me around 3 times. You generally get a strange sort of "knocking" sensation before it happens, almost as if your pedal has hit something. The cause of course is having insufficient chain tension.

blobert · 01-04-2010 12:57pm

Thanks guys,

According to some the 3/32" chain is a better option in any case:
http://www.lfgss.com/thread22457.html

Seemingly its more forgiving of unstraight chainlines also so that sounds good.

And blorg you are right about the freewheels also, I know the expensive ENO one is 3/32.

Grand so, only decision is between the £20 TA one and the £44 Blackspire one.

Doc_Savage · 01-04-2010 1:07pm

blorg wrote: »

The cause of course is having insufficient chain tension.

virtually the only thing to get right on a fixed / ss bike!

i've only thrown a chain once and it was in a 3/32" chainring! pulling away from lights.. the power link snapped! that's what i get for running 52 - 15! jesus that ratio killed my knees! but once up to speed i could maintain shocking speed!

Itsfixed · 01-04-2010 2:17pm

HI

I have one of these - not too expensive, good quality, and black and 130bcd too, lots of sizes.

has to be a 3/32 chain though.

blobert · 01-04-2010 3:26pm

Thanks for that, looks like £36 delivered VS £44 for the Blackspire

Positive review from here:
http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/commuting-reviews/thorn-single-chainring/2278.html

Looks like its probably lighter also

it's mick · 01-04-2010 4:26pm

get one of these
http://www.velosolo.co.uk/shopcrank.html

they look the business imo

Greyspoke · 01-04-2010 5:04pm

Check out Ribble- I got one of these: http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/Chainrings-Stronglight-Zicral-Chainring-Track-1-8-130-Black/STROCHRI255
Unfortunately the smallest they have is a 47 but that won't make much difference (make you stronger!). Maybe a little expensive but very nice.

blobert · 01-04-2010 5:09pm

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Can't find anything on the Velospace ones, they also sell the Gebhardt ones and claim they are great quality, did not find this to be the case. Not sure I like the look of them that much.

Re: Ribble one, I used to run 48x15 on my Fuji track but having swapped to a lower gear inch I much prefer it and want to keep it that way.

Am going to try the 3/8" setup as well so looking ideally for a black 130bcd 45t chainring.

If anyone has any other suggestions let me know.

On a side note does anyone know if An Post are delivering tomorrow? My tool to remove the current broken freewheel has yet to arrive from CRC:(

Recommend a Chainring for Single Speed Bike (preferably Black)

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