MTB chainring combinations

[francois.harmse]

hi all

 

I currently have a 26/38 chainring combo with a 11/36 casette. This is pretty standard and works great for 99% of the time.

But, I did the Sani Dragon last year, and plan to do it again this year. For this race I want to go with a smaller small chainring.

Will a 22 small be compatible in a 22/38 crank setup? (because I read in one of the classified of someone selling his 22 ring because it is "incompatible").

 

I look fwd to everyone's advice and opinions.

 

happy cycling

Francois

[DoubleJ]

Ive tried different combinations, ended up running an unmatched set of rings. Currently running 38/24. Its an AK/AM combination. It was a beets to setup to get ot to work. Generally the rule of thumb is stick to combinations. 26/38AK or 24/38AM. The latter is the smallest combination Shimano makes....also, Shimano does not recommend anything more than a 14 teeth difference. You have 2 options if you want to run 22/38...either get a triple crank and get a bash plate on it with the 2 rings, which I still think the gap is going to be too big, but I could be wrong or do what I am currently doing and start looking into the Raceface Turbine rings...I am thinking about going 22/36 which will work a treat.

[Dicky DQ]

As far as I know 22/36 or 24/38 is as big a gap as you can go. Otherwise problems getting onto the big ring. However I am sure if you unload power while up shifting you should be OK if you want to go 22/38

[DoubleJ]

If you really really really want to go 22/38 then you need to get the front derailleur setup PERFECT...no room for error. The big problem will be the drop from the 38 to the 22...the chainramps are not designed to work together and chain drops are almost guaranteed. Also the pickup is not much fun, its not lekker if you sukkel for 200m just to get the blerrie chain up there on the 38.

[francois.harmse]

Thanks everyone for your input so far.

I think the general concensus is 22/38 will not work.

I picked up a 24 for the small one today and will definitely give that a go instead.

I will also consider installing a 22/36 or even 34 instead for the Sani dragon race.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

The 38 am ring has different pickups and ramps to allow it to shift such a large jump up from the 24t ring. If you're go for the 24, you WILL need to pair it with the AM big ring to allow a stress free shift on the way up.

[JXV]

Most 2x Shimano setups run on a medium cage RD (GS type), even with the 14t difference up front.

 

However if you have a long cage (SGS) RD then you could probably also get an extended 10 speed cassette to work, giving even more range in granny. E.g. 11-40 or maybe even 11-42. Then you could stay with existing 26-38 up front or even go to 28-40