Compact Chainring Query

Triathlon Forum
1

Do any of you tech weenies out there happen to know if Shimano make:

a 36tooth compact chainring?

I recently upgraded from some really old standard cranks to 10sp compact Ultegra. I love the 50 big ring because I’m so weak on the bike and it helps me use the small chainring less.

I was hoping to drop from the standard 39 tooth small ring to 36, but only found the 34/50 combo available during my search. I find the 34 is just too small with my 650 wheels.

I know there are off brand mfr of 36 tooth but I’d prefer to keep Ultegra (or DA if necessary).

Any help is greatly appreicated

2

No, Shimano doesn’t have a 36. FSA makes a black one that I’ve considered getting for my Ultegra SL crank. I’m not sure what’s around in silver.

3

From what I’ve seen, no, it’s 34/50 only. As you said though, some aftermarket 36’s would do the trick.

4

Damn,

A black 36 tooth chainring is gunna look NAFF!

Maybe I’ll just have to get used to 115RPM as my standard cadence! LOL
That’s only 44,850 pedal strokes I have to get used to in time for IMNZ in a few weeks. Damn!

5

How about using an 11-23 rear cassette and leaving the compact as is?

6

I thought about that option, and may have to go that route, but I have the same cassettes on all my wheels (3) and wanted to keep the same gearing on training and racing wheels. I thought the 36 tooth would be an easier and cheaper option, plus leave me with the 34 tooth for some very hilly races I do from time to time.

I think I might just have to go with a naff, black after market 36 tooth and try not to look at it when I ride :slight_smile:

Regards

7

I intentionally have different cassettes on different wheels- that way i can swap them around for different races on my race bike. I have 11-23, 12-27, and 11-29 for different courses. (im a cadence snot). I also swap between compact and stnadard cranks.

You can get a couple of different cassettes and then trian on teh same one you race- you just need to swap it to your race wheels.

swapping cassettes isnt hard at all. very dirty, but not hard. Just dont forget that little silver spacer (evreyone does)

also tho- i dont think you will be able to see your black aftermarket inner ring- you cant see much of the inner ring from the outside. How about paingint the non-gear parts of the ring black? or just using a black sharpie?

8

I agree, just switch out the cassette. I’m not really sure why you’d even want over a 34 unless you are super concerned about reducing the distance between ratios.

9

Thanks for the options.

Swapping cassettes. If it takes me more that 120 seconds to swap a cassette, then I need my morning coffee! My main issue is that I’m just too lazy to do it!

My thought was just to get the powder coating of the black chainring removed by some sort of nasty chemical!

10

you could just sand it with very fine grit sandpaper. Dont sand the teeth, or anywhere the chain could touch. Wash it VERY carefully after you sand it.

11

I think SRAM makes a 36. I know you said you wanted to stay w/ Shimano, but it makes less diff on the inner, since shifting up to the big ring is where the real action is.