Chain ring change size on Shimano steps

[Nutz]

Hi folks
I've had a Raleigh Strada E for about 2.5 years now. It's done 3200 miles and I'm pretty happy with it.
There's one thing I'm thinking of changing, though and that's the front chain ring.
My commute is downhill most of the way there and uphill most of the way back. I never use 1st gear, rarely 2nd, but I do spin out too soon for my liking.
My bike has an Alfine 8 speed with a 18t sprocket at the back, and a 38t chainring at the front. I know Shimano also do a 44t chainring for the Steps system, and I was thinking of changing to this to improve the gearing.

Any thoughts on this? For instance, does the software need to be told about the chainring size?

 

[soundwave]

For instance, does the software need to be told about the chainring size?

no but a 6t bigger front sprocket is a big change so will slow you down on climbs as not have enough gears the other way

 

[Nutz]

RIght, yes I was wondering about that. So 38->44 is about 15%.
I was hoping that this would mean something like 1st becomes what is currently 2nd, 2nd->3rd etc and I get a useful gear at the top end. I've been trying to find a calculator but can't make sense of what I've found online.

Is this naive? I've read I can move the rear from 18t to 16t using a Nexus sprocket which would be less of a jump so that's also an option.

 

[Artstu]

As a starter go with the 16T rear sprocket https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shimano-Alfine-Nexus-Single-Cog-Rear-Sprocket-for-Internal-Hub-Gears-16T-23T-/192364744818
Then if you need more change the front one too, the system won't be affected by the change.

 

[KirstinS]

As a starter go with the 16T rear sprocket https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shimano-Alfine-Nexus-Single-Cog-Rear-Sprocket-for-Internal-Hub-Gears-16T-23T-/192364744818
Then if you need more change the front one too, the system won't be affected by the change.

This is also a nice cheap change. I have done it myself and there are a few good you tube walkthrough video if you need them (as I did )

 

[Nealh]

Shimano nexus/alfine 8 sprocket to gear ratio's .

16t = 10/30 10,11,13,16,19,21,25,30.
18t = 11/34 11,13,15,18,20,24,26,32.
19t = 12/36 12,13,16,19,22,25,30,36.
20t = 12/38 12,14,16,20,24,27,31,38.
21t = 13/40 13,15,17,21,25,28,33,40​

 

[Nutz]

Thanks everyone for you help. I made the change from 18t to16t on the back, and it has worked a treat.
I'm happy with the slightly higher gearing, and I also installed an adjustable stem to raise the handlebar height. My bike is much better with these two changes, and I wish I'd done it a long time ago!