Choosing the right chainset

Chainsets

Finding the right chainsets can become a challenge for those who are not updated with the latest product development and trends on bike design. Bike manufacturers always come up with new designs and systems that are not necessarily compatible with each other. Fortunately, chainsets are designed with distinct similarities that lessen incompatibility problems with other bike parts.

As a general rule in building bikes, you cannot just mix and match parts. For example, the Japanese-made Shimano crank will not work with a Campagnolo bracket. It is best to stick to one manufacturer to source all your bike parts.

You can choose to buy a wholly integrated chainset or buy separate parts to assemble your own configuration. Determine where your bike will be likely used, whether it is on the road, or in hiking trails, and then choose the appropriate right parts.

Bike chainsets are the motors of your bike. They help redistribute your muscle energy to the wheels of the bike, so you can move forward as you bear the weight of the bike. The biggest factor that one should consider in buying bike chainsets is energy efficiency. Chainsets should be designed in a way to get your bike to run as fast as possible with minimal muscle energy.

Energy efficiency is achieved through many factors. First, bike chainsets must have lightweight parts to make the bike as comfortable to ride on as possible. Lightweight materials such as carbon fibre and aluminium are ideal for speed bikers and mountain bikers, while old-school BMX riders may prefer the classic steel configuration. The most recent crank designs are much larger compared to older designs, so they can generate more force to the chain. A good crank design must have a large diameter to hold the chain firmly and a small width to help maintain the balance of the bike in fast speeds.

Bike enthusiasts refer to Q-factor to describe the overall width of the assembled crank system. The width of the system is measured from the crank's outer surfaces. A multiple chainset configuration has a higher Q-factor than single chainsets. The Q-factor is important for the rider's leg placement.

The bolts secure the chainring to the crank spider. Alloy bolts are lighter and more suited for speed biking, but steel bolts are more durable, cheaper, and less prone to creaking. The crank spider is a detachable aluminium forging or carbon moulding that holds the chainrings. Light crank spiders are better for road travel, while a heavier configuration is more suited for mountain biking.

Chainrings are usually made of aluminium, although smaller chainrings are made of steel to reduce the wear and tear. The chainrings are paired with different numbers of teeth depending on the intended use of the bike. Compact bikes usually have a 34/50 tooth combination, which means that the rear chainring has 34 teeth and the pedal chainring has 50 teeth. Conventional road bikes have a 39/53 combination, and road triple bikes usually have a 30/40/50 combination. The number of teeth determines how much the bike can force its way through different surfaces and steepness.

Visit Chainset for the best selection online in the UK.