Planning my bbs build - California chainring adaptor vs bling ring

KirstinS

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 5, 2011
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Brighton
Whilst waiting on my bbs kit I'm thinking about chainring options

I've come across something called a California chainring adaptor which allows any standard 104 bcd ring to be used


Anyone used one or similar ? Better than going for a lekkie bling ring ? How affect chainline ?

Interested in anyone views here. I've never owned a bbs before but I do have a gsm conversion which , I'm lead to believe , is a similar poor man's cousin

(i like it actually but it doesn't half eat battery and pull amps when unrestricted as I have a very early version and controller has been improved since I bought it)

Also still lost on the advantages /disdvabtges between the 36v and 48v versions of the Bbs02b (my order is the 36v version as all mybikes are 36v allowing interchangeable batteries ie 5ah small super stealth Lipo or 15ah dolphin pack for long rides)

Cheers all
 
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whiteturbo

Pedelecer
Jul 22, 2016
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Bristol UK
Hi KirstinS, The problem with chain ring adapters is they don't move the chain line, The Lekkie Bling ring moves the chain line into the the perfect or near perfect line about 9mm i think. I have tried both and even with a narrow wide ring on an adapter the chain drops when you are in a low gear, not nice when going up a steep incline. When i bought my last Bafang i ordered a Lekkie bling ring at the same time. I have nothing to do with Lekkie or any other supplier BUT i cant sing the praises of the Lekkie bling ring enough, it was literally a game changer in my case.
 
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wheeliepete

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 28, 2016
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Narrow/wide chain ring def helps with chain derailment compared to the bafang items. I considered one of these last year, but ended up getting a good package deal on a Lekkie Bling Ring on my bbs02 build. Can't recommend them, but they look well made and postage is only around 3 euros, so some saving compared to a Lekkie. I think they do adapters as well.

http://precialps.com/uk/24-bafang-bbs01-bbs02
 

mike killay

Esteemed Pedelecer
Feb 17, 2011
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I know that I am getting on a bit and maybe a bit slow on the uptake,
But, what on earth is a 'narrow wide ring'
 
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anotherkiwi

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 26, 2015
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I use a precialps 104 BCD spider on the GSM with a 42 tooth outer and a 32 tooth inner chainring. No the chain line isn't perfect but the only times I have dropped the chain was when changing gear on very rough terrain and every time it drops on to the inner chainring from the outer. Never lost the chain off the inner chainring in 2000+ km.

The 42 tooth outer is overkill a 44 would have been a better choice.

When I move all this to the trike it will be a 48 tooth outer, the 32 tooth inner stays and it will have a derailleur, Claris or Sora, to be decided. For the moment gear changing is a glove carried in the pannier.
 

pn_day

Pedelecer
Jul 26, 2013
185
40
St Andrews, Fife
If you are putting it on a recumbent, the chain line is less of an issue - but crank alignment is (meaning 1 crank is further out from the centreline than the other, being uncomfortable, and also a major pain in a velomobile as your feet hit the side).

I'm in the process of putting a GSM with external controller into a pre-loved Alleweder velomobile. Chainline was not important, but the offset of the motor was to ensure that the cranks were in the correct position. I therefore got an offset motor mount from http://en.velomobiel.nl/accessoires/ (labelled as Bafang bottom bracket housing).

This combined with the aforementioned precialps spider adapter mean that I have 2 chain rings up front. (Still to install front derailleur!)

YMMV. Just thought it might help if you are doing another recumbent trike conversion...

Phil
 

anotherkiwi

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Jan 26, 2015
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If you are putting it on a recumbent, the chain line is less of an issue - but crank alignment is (meaning 1 crank is further out from the centreline than the other, being uncomfortable, and also a major pain in a velomobile as your feet hit the side).

I'm in the process of putting a GSM with external controller into a pre-loved Alleweder velomobile. Chainline was not important, but the offset of the motor was to ensure that the cranks were in the correct position. I therefore got an offset motor mount from http://en.velomobiel.nl/accessoires/ (labelled as Bafang bottom bracket housing).

This combined with the aforementioned precialps spider adapter mean that I have 2 chain rings up front. (Still to install front derailleur!)

YMMV. Just thought it might help if you are doing another recumbent trike conversion...

Phil
Interesting. I haven't noticed with the GSM on the upright but I did change the cranks and gained a whole heap of Q factor. I think the easy solution on the trike if there is a problem would be to use cranks with different Q factors.

For the two chainrings my solution is to move the derailleur mount out.
 

grldtnr

Esteemed Pedelecer
Sep 22, 2012
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south east Essex
Interesting. I haven't noticed with the GSM on the upright but I did change the cranks and gained a whole heap of Q factor. I think the easy solution on the trike if there is a problem would be to use cranks with different Q factors.

For the two chainrings my solution is to move the derailleur mount out.
Kiwi,
On my trike I have a chain glider ( nylon tube) covering the chain, I don't need a front changer, or gloves, I just nudge the chain over by pushing /guiding the nylon tube, it's not foolproof, but I don't need to change the front ring that much.
 

anotherkiwi

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 26, 2015
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You mean you don't live on the blunt end of the Pyrenees? ;)

Between me and San Sebastian, 38 km distance, there are two significant hills which require changing down if:

- I don't want to get into town all hot and sweaty
- I want to improve my battery range

I could stop at the foot and the top of both - 4 stops in all - to swap the chainwheel over. I don't need to on the upright because it has a smaller 42 tooth "big" chainwheel which gets me up without too much effort. 48 or maybe 50 tooth on the trike. I think it is time for a derailleur...