Chainring Sizes

[ReapThaWhirlwind]

We all know two things are certain.

Bigger can be better.

And

Less can be more.

Which is your current style for riding? What size chainring are you currently using—and is it a round ring or an oval ring?

Are you more comfortable on larger chainrings or smaller ones in general?

I'm currently riding a monsterous 54T Oval chainring on my custom interceptor road bike build titled the Nightmare Seeker. This is a step up from the 52T ring I rode on 700c wheels before this, the 50T ring I've moved up to on my GT Aggressor street racer, and the 46T I rode for about two seasons before this. I was on a 44T oval for about two seasons when I started by switch over from round rings to oval rings, and I found that it was a great introductory size to oval chainrings...in case that's helpful information to anyone. I find that 44T is a great urban chainring because it offers good versatility between commuting momentum and stop-and-go urban demand. I had rode a 44T Shimano ring for about three seasons, and it was very satisfying. The switch over to oval was instantly noticeable. I now find it very difficult to go back on chainring size. I just can't shake the lossy effect that I experience. Anyone else experience this as well, or do you find easing into smaller chainrings is comforting?

[meamoantonio]

around 40+T is really great for commuting, all my bikes have a 50-34 chain ring right now and on bike commutes I usually stay on the 34T gear and I find myself looking for that extra oomph that a 40 or 44t chain ring can bring. Maybe this is a good reason to get a gravel bike yeah? hahaha

[rydabent]

If you have a triple, you are ready for anything.

[SPINMAN]

(04-13-2025, 05:29 PM)ReapThaWhirlwind Wrote:  We all know two things are certain.

Bigger can be better.

And

Less can be more.

Which is your current style for riding? What size chainring are you currently using—and is it a round ring or an oval ring?

Are you more comfortable on larger chainrings or smaller ones in general?

I'm currently riding a monsterous 54T Oval chainring on my custom interceptor road bike build titled the Nightmare Seeker. This is a step up from the 52T ring I rode on 700c wheels before this, the 50T ring I've moved up to on my GT Aggressor street racer, and the 46T I rode for about two seasons before this. I was on a 44T oval for about two seasons when I started by switch over from round rings to oval rings, and I found that it was a great introductory size to oval chainrings...in case that's helpful information to anyone. I find that 44T is a great urban chainring because it offers good versatility between commuting momentum and stop-and-go urban demand. I had rode a 44T Shimano ring for about three seasons, and it was very satisfying. The switch over to oval was instantly noticeable. I now find it very difficult to go back on chainring size. I just can't shake the lossy effect that I experience. Anyone else experience this as well, or do you find easing into smaller chainrings is comforting?

I used to love my 53 and 11 in group rides. I could hang at 25-27 mph pace. I never used my 34ring. I don't know how people ride a 1X. Granted I don't have any hills except for the bridges here in Florida. I'm starting to take a few trips out of town in the mountains and am glad I zither to a50/34 and using the whole cassette.

[ReapThaWhirlwind]

This is excellent feedback so far.

I rode my 44T/46T oval on 26 x 1.5" Specialized Nimbus 2. That's 38c for roadies. I then rode 52T on Pirelli P7s in 700c x 32c. That felt almost the same to me, just a bit noticeably more challenging. I felt like both takes were very fast for the width, so I can totally understand how well-balanced a 50T would be on a road build.

I was going to reach for 56T oval on the current build running the 54T. I was worried about it being way too difficult to push from full stop. I instantly realized that I could have done that, but I'm glad I held back because I also feel the pain pushing this larger ring, and it wants to be much healthier for development to pace myself in these steps.