Chainring Teeth

Ghr7891

As some of you may know I have just started building a bike for the first time. It will only be a 9 speed (its Freeride/light downhill) so for the only chainring what number of teeth would be the most practical. I am currently planning on getting a 44 tooth, will that be ok or should I change it. If it matters the crankset I am getting is a Truvativ hussefelt. Also one more question I was wondering how to find out the BB size of the frame. The crankset comes with a 118 length and 73 shell width, is this standard or bigger.
-Thanks
P.S. There will be plenty more questions coming, but when the bike is finished I will post a picture!

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Getting your ass kicked is part of mountain biking...thats why I ride a hardtail!

Hecubus

You need to figure out what frame you are using before you get the BB in order to know the size. As for the chainring a 44 will probably be too big for a single chainring setup. Something around 34, 38 or 42 will be better. I think you need to realistically look at how much climbing vs how much downhill pedaling you will need to be doing in order to decide.

SWorksRider

I have a 40t on my downhill rig, can use a 30t as well for them, just depends on what cranks/systems your using

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Ghr7891

I found out what size the BB is, the BB that I am ordering will fit I just need the spacer to convert it from a 73 to a 68 shell size, it is a truvativ dh isis BB. Does anyone know where I can get the spacer.
-Thanks

__________________
Getting your ass kicked is part of mountain biking...thats why I ride a hardtail!

przemekp

Hi
Look to what Hecubus said: compare your expectations...
I had an experience with one-speed crank in front - I used a 36 t. (the middle) from an old Altus A10 (I still use a bit - it seems to be indestructible )
Effect? Great fun but also A LOT of troubles i.e.:
long downhills in less hard trails inefective (where the heck is my favourite 44...)
uphills? forget about more technical...

SO: my advice, use only if you are 100% sure that you need it or if have a second crankset and the to switch it.....

or if you have a second bike - but it's a whole different story

przemekp

Hi
Look to what Hecubus said: compare your expectations...
I had an experience with one-speed crank in front - I used a 36 t. (the middle) from an old Altus A10 (I still use a bit - it seems to be indestructible )
Effect? Great fun but also A LOT of troubles i.e.:
long downhills in less hard trails inefective (where the heck is my favourite 44...)
uphills? forget about more technical...

SO: my advice, use only if you are 100% sure that you need it or if have a second crankset and the to switch it.....

or if you have a second bike - but it's a whole different story

Ghr7891

Thanks, but I actually do have a second bike, an XC second bike thats why I am building a freeride. I would like it to be able to go uphill, but I am more into the downhills and hucking stuff. Thats why i want to use a single ring with a bashguard and chainguide.

__________________
Getting your ass kicked is part of mountain biking...thats why I ride a hardtail!

przemekp

So for now all is clear

In my opinion you need sth between 34 and 42.
As I said I suggest you the 36 crank - it's a great compromise between down and up-hill possibilities and with 9 spd cassette you will propably have a wide range of gears.

One more thing - could you add a link to the picture of your bike??? and some more info about your bike? it would help a lot and also I can't hide that I'm quite curious about your bike

Ghr7891

No pictures until its done!

All I can tell you is it will be SICK when its done.(Hopefully within the month, i have been making great progress)

No that I have just about have the cranks done with, I need a fork. I want a good but relatively cheap fork. I am estimating that in the next year when I save up enough money I will get a Marzocchi Monster Jr. so for now I was thinking a Psylo XC, I can get one off ebay for like $150, does this sound okay?

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Getting your ass kicked is part of mountain biking...thats why I ride a hardtail!

ireman_1

A Psylo XC on something "intended" for FR or DH (light or not)? No way. Although, the first time I got to walk into the LBS with a pair of forks that I had destroyed (read: folded a leg and wheel) I had *hours* of things to talk about. You can get a Marzocchi QR 20 (on ebay) for under $200. The angle "implications" of having a 3+ inch fork on a bike you are building to *eventually* have a 7 inch fork on is interesting to say the least, can you say steep angle and twitchy as hell? I'd wait if you arn't able to hook-up a long-travel fork capable of taking what you intend to throw at it.

Anyway, just some ramblings from a madman (I think I'm sane, but don't ask my wife). My *personal* choice for my FR bike is (usually) a 36 tooth chainring, but I change it often to suit whatever I'm hitting. It only takes a few minutes and is easy enough done. You don't have to have two cranksets to do it either. I have 32, 34, 36, and 42 tooth chainrings that work on the same set-up with little effort. I use an 11-34 cassette. It gives you plenty of options for mild climbing (maybe). Have fun building that bad boy up and then beating the hell out of it! Enjoy.

K.

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Disciples Of Dirt

Ghr7891

I know the Psylo probably wont hold up long, but it should hold up well enough until I get another fork. I will just take it easy until then, no drops higher then a picnic table and so forth.

__________________
Getting your ass kicked is part of mountain biking...thats why I ride a hardtail!