Help! Front chainring size ?

Alimarsh45

Finding my (electric) wheels
Jul 4, 2022
13
1
I'm using a Yose kit off of ebay on a Halfords Apollo Phaze bike. I'm cruising on the flat at about 16mph and would like less leg speed and a slightly faster mph. My biggest front chainring is 38 teeth ( which is the only one I use) I'd like any advise on how much bigger would be good to cruise at around 20mph ish.
 

PC2017

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 19, 2017
1,315
332
Scunthorpe
I think mine is a cheapo 44t, 1 year of use and it need replacing but I ride everyday weather permitting. I lose <pedal> speed at 21 mph and ghost pedal, I think that's what its called. Just remember you'll prob need a new longer chain. And if the derailleur and freewheel is worn, if funds/skills permit I would do an over haul, mine needs it for gear changing, however if you are planning to throttle and one gear for all pedalling the chain change would do.
 

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,882
8,517
61
West Sx RH
A larger chainring might mean a new front mech, it depends if the mech has the capacity for a larger ring. Ifthe existing mech has the capciity then it will need adjusitng on the seat tube and the wire tension adjusted.
 

PC2017

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 19, 2017
1,315
332
Scunthorpe
might mean a new front mech
True, forgot about that, I just use my 3x front chainring as a 1 by with a chain guide. Think out loud about a belt drive + alfine but the cost for an aging bike and rider.
 

tomtag

Pedelecer
Feb 11, 2019
64
14
I converted an MTB with a 250w rear hub kit. I found the same & took all the original chainrings off, also the front mech, then added a 48t narrow/wide chainring off aliexpress with no guide or mech, and over last 600 miles or so has been ideal. Mostly flattish commute, but also rides round the peaks are still good, would maybe be a challenge up a big hill if the battery was completely flat, but hasn't caught me out yet. Also didn't have to change length of chain.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PC2017

PC2017

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 19, 2017
1,315
332
Scunthorpe
48t narrow
Thinking about it mine may be 48T, i will count them lol - Good to know you didn't need a new chain. Any links to the one you purchased? and what was the bike gear system originally, altus, sram etc? any pics of your chainring?

Are you changing gears at the rear then or keeping in one gear, if you do change gears how many have you got, mine was 21 but with no front mech it's just 7
 

tomtag

Pedelecer
Feb 11, 2019
64
14
I have a 9 speed cassette at back and yes still using those gears, rear mech is a bit stretched forward on largest gear at back due to chain length, but doesn't seem to cause any issue and I don't really use it much in that gear. Bike has a 2009 SLX chainset & SRAM cassette & chain I think (not with me today) - Trek 6700 2009
I think it was one of these I bought.
VXM Bicycle 104BCD Crank Oval Round 30T 32T 34T 36T 38T 40T 42T 44T 46T 48T 50T 52T XT Chainwheel Narrow Wide MTB Bike Chainring|Bicycle Crank & Chainwheel| - AliExpress
 

tomtag

Pedelecer
Feb 11, 2019
64
14
What about changing the back one, which is what most do?
I just thought it was quicker & easier to change the front. Also cheaper.
I liked the idea of going to single speed at the front, as once I had the motor, I was always in top chainring. It let me get rid of front mech + shifter, giving a better space for display on handlebars as well. (& I think my front mech was bent so could never get it adjusted right.)
 
  • Agree
Reactions: PC2017 and Woosh

PC2017

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 19, 2017
1,315
332
Scunthorpe
It let me get rid of front mech + shifter, giving a better space
Yes indeed I popped a left throttle on my free space, I couldn't be happier, well a part from the wear and tear that ebikes do to the drivetrain.
 

Alimarsh45

Finding my (electric) wheels
Jul 4, 2022
13
1
I think mine is a cheapo 44t, 1 year of use and it need replacing but I ride everyday weather permitting. I lose <pedal> speed at 21 mph and ghost pedal, I think that's what its called. Just remember you'll prob need a new longer chain. And if the derailleur and freewheel is worn, if funds/skills permit I would do an over haul, mine needs it for gear changing, however if you are planning to throttle and one gear for all pedalling the chain change would do.
Thanks for your reply. I don't get much flat road in Scotland but 21 mph would be a nicer speed with less frantic legs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PC2017

PC2017

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 19, 2017
1,315
332
Scunthorpe
I don't get much flat road in Scotland
Oh I can imagine, I live hilly but by no means Scotland's topography.

To clarify mine is 48t, I just made a purchase to remove the 3 by Tourney standard to a 48t 1 by even though I was only using one of the 3. I need a new one as my teeth are worn, it appears that one year of riding near everyday, requires a new drivetrain every 18 months or so. I ordered of Amazon think it would be a UK seller but alas I got a delivery notice from China.
 

PC2017

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 19, 2017
1,315
332
Scunthorpe
I have now completed my 1x7 drivetrain with a "folding bike" 48t 1by crank. My BB was 122mm which didn't provide enough frame clearance for a large 48t cog but after some rough measurements and pure determination to use the £22 purchase, not to mention the fact that I did need a new chainring, I pulled the trigger on the longest BB I could source from China, 143mm(£10) and luckily it worked. There is some slight over protrusion and the chainline is off a little but the 7 speed and chainring full chainguard helps. I did shorten the chain to only work for 6 gears due to the fact that the 7 speed freewheel is a "megarange" and the chainline was too over stretched for that gear and smooth functionality was more important than including every gear.

Early tests show it works and works well with 6 gears. I maybe could get away with a 137mm BB and get all gears back, but anything less wouldn't clear the frame & as of now I spent £55 including some degreaser for a full clean of the drivetrain parts & new chain etc and don't wish to spend much more. Might do a sperate thread with pics if anyone shows interest for feedback and possible future issues.
 

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,882
8,517
61
West Sx RH
PC2017 is this an e- folding bike or just a push bike folder ?
 

guerney

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 7, 2021
11,252
3,195
I too am intrigued as to what folding bike you have @PC2017 - I do like folders.
 

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,882
8,517
61
West Sx RH
I won a bid or should say took the reduced offer on a pair of Mike Burrows designed Halfways that were said to be in immaculate condition, sadly two days later the seller has refunded my bid/offer having found one of the bikes has been damaged by builders where they were stored in the garage.
The seller has said he won't now pass them on until he gets the bike repaired and only wants to sell as a pair, he has said he will offer them again to me later on at an even more reduced price once he has had the damaged one repaired at an LBS.
 

guerney

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 7, 2021
11,252
3,195
I won a bid or should say took the reduced offer on a pair of Mike Burrows designed Halfways that were said to be in immaculate condition, sadly two days later the seller has refunded my bid/offer having found one of the bikes has been damaged by builders where they were stored in the garage.
The seller has said he won't now pass them on until he gets the bike repaired and only wants to sell as a pair, he has said he will offer them again to me later on at an even more reduced price once he has had the damaged one repaired at an LBS.
Are you sure you want the Halfways? I've read on forums that they often snap halfway. I'll try to find the links.

Is the seller trying to get a snapped Halfway, halfway up to scratch?

 

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,882
8,517
61
West Sx RH
I found one report of snapping but tht depends like any folder on how it is treated, used & maintained.
Terns snapped we know and had some early bad issues, I have seen a pic of a Tern GSD snapped and that wasn't a folder and also reports of Dahons snapped. If one looks hard enough one will find examples.
 

guerney

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 7, 2021
11,252
3,195
I found one report of snapping but tht depends like any folder on how it is treated, used & maintained.
Terns snapped we know and had some early bad issues, I have seen a pic of a Tern GSD snapped and that wasn't a folder and also reports of Dahons snapped. If one looks hard enough one will find examples.
Theer was also someone complaining about having difficulties with the latch, early version. The LBS could be fixing that possibly?

Touch aluminium, despite lots of abuse my Dahon hasn't yet snapped. Dahons without the rebar snap most.
 

Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,882
8,517
61
West Sx RH
One incidence which I have already seen that one on Yacf, isnt't a glaring failure of all Halfways. As the guy said his friend uses it on the S/Downs so may be subject to some abuse.

One guy worked out in the oil industryin NIgeria and had one, he reckoned he rode over 14k miles on his one and never had an issue.

My reason for wanting one is for the MB design effect of the narrow fold and use of the single sided axle, I likely wouldn't use it much but handy to put in the car boot.
 
Last edited: