Cube Reaction Hybrid Pro - Chainring

[Riles]

Hello from a newbie to this forum.

I have a 2022 Cube Reaction Hybrid Pro 725 and would consider myself an infrequent social rider looking to increase fitness, a bit.

I very much enjoy the bike I have but at 6'2" I find I am running out of gears with slightest of descents. Additionally, I do not, nor am I ever likely to, use the lowest of gears so the predominant gear selections are the upper half only.

In an attempt to better things I am thinking that if I can increase the size of the front chainring, even slightly, then I might delay the onset of the "whirring legs" and even use some of the lower gears a bit more.

The issue I have found is that I don't know how much larger in teeth count I can go before the chainring/frame interaction becomes physical!! Also, it appears that chainline is a thing but I don't know what it is on my Cube.

So, I would be grateful if anyone has any advice on how to calculate the maximum chainring size would be or if they have done something similar and would let me know what parts they used and where they purchased them from.

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[Aerodiamond]

Hello from a newbie to this forum.

I have a 2022 Cube Reaction Hybrid Pro 725 and would consider myself an infrequent social rider looking to increase fitness, a bit.

I very much enjoy the bike I have but at 6'2" I find I am running out of gears with slightest of descents. Additionally, I do not, nor am I ever likely to, use the lowest of gears so the predominant gear selections are the upper half only.

In an attempt to better things I am thinking that if I can increase the size of the front chainring, even slightly, then I might delay the onset of the "whirring legs" and even use some of the lower gears a bit more.

The issue I have found is that I don't know how much larger in teeth count I can go before the chainring/frame interaction becomes physical!! Also, it appears that chainline is a thing but I don't know what it is on my Cube.

So, I would be grateful if anyone has any advice on how to calculate the maximum chainring size would be or if they have done something similar and would let me know what parts they used and where they purchased them from.

Thanks in anticipation.

Hi! I'm also 6 2 . I went the other way with my Cube reaction pro, reducing the front by 2 teeth which for me was much better riding (I have a high cadence). Don't worry about the chain line it is only ever inline for one gear. Couple of teeth either way should fit, just measure the ring diameter. You will need special tools, a crank puller and a spider for the castle nut. Use a thread lock on the threads on assembly and torque them properly as they have a habit of working loose.

Hope this helps

Nigel

 

[Riles]

Hi Nigel. Thank you for your reply and suggestions.
Knackered knees need a little care nowadays and upping the cadence is partly what I'm trying to avoid.
Good to know about the chain line.

Regards.

 

[thelarkbox]

Hi @Riles, cant you measure the radius of a chainring that would fit in keeping with the existing chain line and shape of your frame? then just google for a diagram of chainring diameters and select a tooth count accordingly..

Or if lazy like me just order a few different sizes and return any that don't work out.

 

[Riles]

Hi @thelarkbox, thank you for that very useful diagram.

I'll try a 44 teeth ring first and see how I get on.

Regards,

 

[Riles]

Success!

I had to buy a Bosch Gen4 52mm chainline spider to get the chainring offset to miss the frame - which it does by about 2mm.

However, after one ride I find that the highest gear selector will now not make the chain engage with the highest gear cog, it stays in the second highest. I'm guessing it is because of the, slightly, different position of the new chainring.

How do I go about adjusting the derailleur to ensure it engages the highest gear without throwing all the other gear selections off?

All advice gratefully received.

 

[Az.]

 

[AndyBike]

This is something i need to do. After 3 years the chainring is a bit spikey and its throwing the chain off- in fact the entire drivetrain is worn out.

Certainly could do with going up a couple of teeth, and also trying to decide whether to stick with steep for the chainring, or opt for something ano'd and fancy in alloy(ahem.. Hope tech in blue).

Thing those is while you're spinning out of descents, its the going up bit that might suffer, so maybe just a couple of extra teeth to see how you get on. Rings arent really that expensive, so if its still too little, go a couple more.

 

[Riles]

Thank you Az. Very informative video, just the job.

 

[Gringo]

Success!

However, after one ride I find that the highest gear selector will now not make the chain engage with the highest gear cog, it stays in the second highest. I'm guessing it is because of the, slightly, different position of the new chainring.

All advice gratefully received.

by increasing the chain ring size your chain could now be too short, just a thought