Author Topic: sprocket/cranks size for easier ride outs  (Read 2720 times)

Offline mal

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sprocket/cranks size for easier ride outs
« on: November 17, 2020, 10:33:58 AM »
Hi,i currently have 170mm cranks with a 25t sprocket but i need to replace both because the cranks are too long for my chainstay and the 25t makes my ride out of tricks pretty difficult,because of the force it needs to get the cranks moving.

I plan to get 160mm cranks and a 23t sprocket.

Will that be a good combo for making ride out easier?

Or it will need the same force with the 25t/170mm combo?

Do i need to go even lower on t? like 22/21t?

thanks!
« Last Edit: November 17, 2020, 10:39:42 AM by mal »

Offline ollie

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Re: sprocket/cranks size for easier ride outs
« Reply #1 on: November 17, 2020, 03:50:32 PM »
The length of the cranks are much less noticeable compared to the size of the chainstay in terms of the force needed to turn the cranks. The 23t sprocket will be easier for sure, but to have the effect you are looking for I would simply drop down to the very popular 20t. This is perfectly quick enough to ride around the city and easy enough to ride out.

Offline mal

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Re: sprocket/cranks size for easier ride outs
« Reply #2 on: November 19, 2020, 04:12:58 PM »
really?i thought 20t would have been too small to ride around or get up to speed to start a run..

Now the hard part is actually finding a smaller sprocket,options in europe for under 25t sprockets are very slim,if you are lucky you can find an overpriced Profile one and thats about it..

Offline out~riding

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Re: sprocket/cranks size for easier ride outs
« Reply #3 on: November 19, 2020, 06:58:04 PM »
Are you going to be doing a lot of pedaling? (distance)

If so go with a 23, otherwise a 20 will work great.


Offline out~riding

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Re: sprocket/cranks size for easier ride outs
« Reply #4 on: November 19, 2020, 06:59:30 PM »


Now the hard part is actually finding a smaller sprocket,options in europe for under 25t sprockets are very slim,if you are lucky you can find an overpriced Profile one and thats about it..


If you can't find one you like, PM me.

Offline mal

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Re: sprocket/cranks size for easier ride outs
« Reply #5 on: November 19, 2020, 09:09:16 PM »
Are you going to be doing a lot of pedaling? (distance)

If so go with a 23, otherwise a 20 will work great.
in my current spot,not really,but i would like to be able to ride if needed

Offline metalbmxer

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Re: sprocket/cranks size for easier ride outs
« Reply #6 on: November 21, 2020, 06:58:49 PM »
you want a 20t or 18t...with smaller cranks it will help an 18t to feel a little more normal, you can get around just fine too
Dax (now in LAS VEGAS as of July 2022)

Offline mal

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Re: sprocket/cranks size for easier ride outs
« Reply #7 on: January 08, 2021, 11:05:59 AM »
I changed my setup from 170mm cranks with a 25/9 gearing to 160mm cranks with 20/9 gearing.


My goal (easy ride outs) was totally achieved!Both from the sprocket size and the cranks length.It also helped from bike looping out when i was trying to ride out of a trick but my body center weight was a bit on the back end.Pedalling got really soft and easy,that resulted in loss of torque,as expected.A big one that is!




In my opinion with that gearing you can't easily ride around town or going distances.Technically you can but that involves pedalling a lot!Thats my feel though.You now have a flat only machine,no excuses man,forget those rides with your street friends.You are now sentenced to the flat side.


So if batman is after you,forget it dude,you are gonna get bat-caved.Just surrender to his bat-love


I am now thinking of getting a 21 or 22 sprocket,i think this will get me closer to the best of the two worlds scenario.
« Last Edit: January 08, 2021, 11:42:35 AM by mal »

Offline razorlab

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Re: sprocket/cranks size for easier ride outs
« Reply #8 on: January 08, 2021, 05:15:24 PM »
I agree Mal. I went from a 25 to a 20 and it felt like I was riding a circus bike but yes ride outs and such where MUCH easier.

I went back to the 25 but I might try a 23 I have sitting around.