Using the naughty gear combos

[Wingnut]

Hi,
Is anyone on this forum using the "naughty" gear combos? At the moment I am set up with 40x17 but alas two dehydrated discs in my lower back [B)]are forcing me to take things very easy []. I dont need a 90" top gear (don't think I ever did, bought the catalyst with 44x16, ever the optimist [)])so was thinking of using 36x17 or 34x17 (I have these rings lying around from me SS bikes []). I'm a bit of a Clyd right now 15+st [:I] but wont be mashing the cranks, just the general spinning variety of cycling. So the 64k biggie question, what is the likelyhood of killing the hub and if I do can it be repaired by rohloff?
Any info will be much appreciated []
Regards, David

[kwkirby01]

I'm about your weight and have around done 600 miles on a 34x17 setup with no ill effects (me or the hub[]). Kevin

[slalomjez]

i'm on a 36/17 and have had no probs at all. i think it would really only be an issue in the really low geears

[NurEinTier]

My first time here sorry for the newbie questions.

Been looking at the gearchart.
Best option for me would be 36x17 (for touring).
11th gear is 55 inch, that's where I'm at most of the time.
top gear 80 inch, enough.
low gear 15.4 inch, sweet... even lower than my 22x34 16.8
My weight is 90kg and I carry about 15kg luggage.
So is 36x17 really ok to use?
Does anyone know where to find a 36 tooth steel chainring?
Will a deore middle ring fit?

[Eric]

 The same mechanism is used in the tandem hub (it just has bigger spoke holes and longer cables) and someone might be touring on a heavily-laden tandem, then the use of the 'naughty' low gears can't really be a problem----------can it?

[NurEinTier]

I didn't know that.
Looks like Rohloff is just covering their *ss.
Great, all that's left to do is find a 36 tooth steel chainring.

[PH]

Great, all that's left to do is find a 36 tooth steel chainring.

Thorn have a choice depending on your chainset.  It shouldn't be hard to find one, it's a common size.  You could use a Shimano middle ring if you've already got one.  If you're buying, then a specific single speed ring without the cutouts and ramps will last longer.

[NurEinTier]

Can't find a singlespeed 104PCD 4 arm steel chainring with 36 teeth, or any other teeth count.
Only alloy ones.

There is a 3 speed deore with 36 teeth in steel but only as a middle ring.

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Shimano-Shimano-Deore-104mm-PCD-4-Arm-middle-Chainring-Steel--For-M510-511-chainsets-36T-3090.htm

[kwkirby01]

Look here:

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Thorn-Thorn-104mm-PCD-4-Arm-Reversible-SINGLE-ring--Black-3-32inch-11054.htm

Select 36T from the drop down menu.

Kevin

[NurEinTier]

That one is perfect.
Only the picture that goes with it says 7075T6 meaning alu.
Maby they used the wrong image?
The price indicates steel.

[PH]

Sorry I missed the word steel.  The Thorn ones are aluminium, the one on my Raven looks set to last 20,000+ miles and at that price I don't see the advantage of steel.  Most of the others I was thinking of are also aluminium...
The only Steel one I know of in that size is the Surly one, it's around £30 and Stainless.  There's a few stockists;

http://www.sidewayscycles.co.uk/products/index.php?id=466&clid=24

[kwkirby01]

Apologies, I thought the Thorn chain rings were steel like the sprockets. As PH says, Surly do very nice stainless steel chainrings, also available from http://www.hubjub.co.uk/.
Kevin

[NurEinTier]

20.000+ miles? Impressive.

My lx crankset>
the 44 outer alu chainring broke a tooth clean of after 1500 miles.
the 32 middle ring was almost worn at that point.
the 22 steel looked as new.

Interesting choice.
alu, cheap and light
or
steel, expensive and longwearing.

Taking the alu, if it doesn't wear well I'll replace it with a steel one.

Thanks for all your help guys.

[PH]

My lx crankset>
the 44 outer alu chainring broke a tooth clean of after 1500 miles.
the 32 middle ring was almost worn at that point.
the 22 steel looked as new.

I'd expect a single speed chainring to last four times as long as a derailleur one.  The teeth are taller, there's no ramping, the chainline should always be perfect and they're reversible.  Even so, 4 X 1,500 still isn't much.

[stutho]

Hi NurEinTier,

I was looking at getting a steel chainring when I built up my wife's bike.  Surly seam to be the best bet but they only do a limited range in 104mm.  32t, 33t, 34t, 35t and 36t.  In the end I decided it wasn't worth the trouble,  I have now got 8000miles+ on the first side of my aluminum chainring and just like PH I expect to replace it 20,000miles. 

As for the naughty gear combos well its defiantly at you own risk.  As you are probably aware the minimum 'allowed gear ratio is 40:17 or 42:17 for a tandem.  If you are a Olympic fit 120Kg rider then obviously going to generate more force into the hub that if you are a 65Kg occasional rider.  At the end of the day it is you that is paying the cash so you will have to decide on this one!  There are riders out there that do use the naughty combos there is also at least one story on the web of someone who managed to shear a drive pin by using a naughty combo.  (Anyone know where this quote is - I know I have read it but cant find the details)

All the best
Stuart