Discussion · VoyageForum

Translated into English.

Original post

TonyFlament

Lille · 8 posts

2024-11-01

Hi there. I'd like to change the chainring on my Riverside 5 with trigger shifters. I’m attaching a photo for advice. I’m lacking power and want a larger chainring for road use because I’m spinning out on the highest gear even though I still have power to give on flat terrain. At Decathlon, they were supposed to get back to me after checking it out in the workshop but never did. It was outside their standards, and the salesperson clearly forgot about me... What are your recommendations and suitable products for purchase, please? Thanks. Best regards,

Vfpromeneur Veteran ·2024-11-01

So, you're swapping your triple chainring for another while keeping Shimano. If you buy it at Decathlon, they’ll swap it for you.

Watch out: if it's a seven- or eight-speed system, you need a triple chainring for seven or eight speeds. It must be compatible with the seven- or eight-speed chain.

Alternatively, you can replace just the large chainring while keeping Shimano. You’ll need the tool to tighten the special bolts.

The Park Tool CNW-2 chainring bolt wrench:

https://www.amazon.fr/Park-Tool-CNW-2-visserie-plateaux/dp/B000OYFF2K/ref=sr_1_1?c

Pay attention to the number of holes for attaching a chainring: 4 or 5, it can vary.

Also, make sure it’s compatible with the chain.

Wegg Veteran ·2024-11-02

Hi Tony,

To give you a relevant answer, I’d need to know your biggest chainring (number of teeth on the large chainring and the smallest sprocket) and the Shimano series of your drivetrain: Tourney?

If your bike has the Shimano Tourney FC-A073 triple crankset (7/8-speed) with 50-39-30 chainrings (an entry-level model), it’ll be less expensive and more reasonable—given the overall value of your bike—to replace the cassette (which is a wear item) rather than the crankset, and the chain at the same time.

[...] rien n'étant jamais parfait, rien n'est jamais parfaitement désespéré [...]

Nulle part, mais en Irlande. Franz Bartelt

TO TonyFlament ·2024-11-02

Thanks for your reply. I can see things more clearly now. Decathlon has a workshop where I can change the chainring myself with the right tools and advice. I checked the number of teeth on my current chainrings, which is 42-32-22. For 35 €, Decathlon offers me an adaptable chainring set to 44-32-22. The advisor mentioned that his customers are happy with this kind of change and that I’ll feel the difference on the largest chainring. I’m attaching the reference for the proposed chainring. What do you think? Thanks for your expertise and the time you’ve taken to guide me. It’s really valuable. Best regards.

TO TonyFlament ·2024-11-02

Thanks for your reply. I can see things more clearly now. Decathlon has a workshop where I can change the chainring myself with the right tools and advice. I checked the number of teeth on my current chainrings, which is 42-32-22. For 35 €, Decathlon offers me an adaptable chainring set to 44-32-22. The advisor mentioned that his customers are happy with this kind of change and that I’ll feel the difference on the largest chainring. I’m attaching the reference for the proposed chainring. What do you think? Thanks for your expertise and for taking the time to guide me. It’s really valuable. Best regards,

TO TonyFlament ·2024-11-02

PS, I’m attaching photos of the cassette and derailleur. For the smallest sprocket, I count 11 teeth. Best,

TO TonyFlament ·2024-11-02

PS: Here are the photos of the derailleur and cassette. I count 11 teeth on the smallest sprocket of the cassette. Best,

Vfpromeneur Veteran ·2024-11-02

I’d recommend going with Decathlon’s suggestion. It’s their bike, so they should know what they’re doing.

From what I understand of the reference, it’s a triple chainring set (22x32x44) compatible with 7-, 8-, and 9-speed drivetrains, so it should work with your 8-speed setup.

As for switching from 42 to 44 teeth, I can’t really say—I’m no expert.

Wegg Veteran ·2024-11-03

Now that all the data is gathered, we can start looking at the issue you're describing.

With a 42 x 11 gearing, your gear ratio is 3.82 and your development is about 8.25 m. This means that pedaling at 70 rpm, your speed is 34.6 km/h. If you pedal at 90 rpm, you're now at 44.5 km/h. This is probably the cadence where you feel like you're spinning too fast.

With a 44 x 11 gearing, your gear ratio will be 4 and your development will then be about 8.64 m. Pedaling at 70 rpm, your speed will be 36.3 km/h. If you pedal at 90 rpm, you'll be at 46.7 km/h. The theoretical gain won't really be significant.

From my point of view, changing the chainring seems like an unnecessary expense. It's better to spin faster and work on your pedaling efficiency.

[...] rien n'étant jamais parfait, rien n'est jamais parfaitement désespéré [...]

Nulle part, mais en Irlande. Franz Bartelt

Wegg Veteran ·2024-11-03

If you change your crankset, make sure to get the same crank arm length as your current one.

[...] rien n'étant jamais parfait, rien n'est jamais parfaitement désespéré [...]

Nulle part, mais en Irlande. Franz Bartelt

TO TonyFlament ·2024-11-03

Thanks for your feedback. Indeed, the improvement is minimal! Do you have any advice on suitable upgrades that could give me a more noticeable gain? I hear the encouragement for speed, but if I can also gain more comfort, I’d be thrilled...

Wegg Veteran ·2024-11-03

It's always tricky to give advice remotely.

Was D4’s suggestion a complete crankset replacement or just the big chainring?

First important thing: what’s the model and reference of your crankset? If the chainrings are removable, you can fit a 46-tooth or even a 48-tooth one if it exists for that crankset. For example, an Acera FC-T3010 crankset chainring in 48 teeth costs less than 10 €.

[...] rien n'étant jamais parfait, rien n'est jamais parfaitement désespéré [...]

Nulle part, mais en Irlande. Franz Bartelt

TO TonyFlament ·2024-11-03

I don’t have the expertise to confirm, but D4 does mention 3 welded chainrings on the current setup and suggests the complete welded chainring with 2 extra teeth for the largest one...

TO TonyFlament ·2024-11-03

Here are two close-up photos of the crankset.

Start a new discussion Printable version Report this post Follow this discussion

Changing the chainring on a Riverside 5

You might also like

Changing the chainring on a Riverside 5

Related discussions

You might also like