BBS01 Chainrings

Moto

Finding my (electric) wheels
Jul 7, 2017
16
2
57
Hampshire
I have fitted a BBS01 to an old Specialized Stumpjumper FSR and it's working well!

I want to lower the gearing for off-road, but there doesn't seem to be a simple way to purchase a smaller chainring in the UK - I see 44t on eBay, but that is only 2 teeth down so not much help.

The chain line will not allow to go any further out as 2nd is a worrying angle, 1st I just don't use.

Any suggestions? I'm thinking 40 or 42t...

Thanks

Steve
 

Sturmey

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Jan 26, 2018
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.....The chain line will not allow to go any further out as 2nd is a worrying angle, 1st I just don't use.......
I am not specifically familiar with your set up but I was similarly unhappy with chain line on TSDZ2 with the lower gears. Anyhow I managed to dismantle the gear cluster and rearrange cogs to give a wide spread of ratios over 7 speeds with the chain line on the 18 tooth cog. i.e. 13/15/18/21/24/28/34.
I reckon for ebike's in general, you need a different set of ratios with less gears and a bigger spread. especially on the lower gears.
 
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peter.c

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Apr 24, 2018
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If you buy a lekkie 42 bling ring [not cheap], but it has the added advantage of moving the chain line inwards
or a cheaper option is to try a chain guide
 

Moto

Finding my (electric) wheels
Jul 7, 2017
16
2
57
Hampshire
. Anyhow I managed to dismantle the gear cluster and rearrange cogs to give a wide spread of ratios over 7 speeds with the chain line on the 18 tooth cog. i.e. 13/15/18/21/24/28/34.
Interesting idea. I had a quick look at an old cassette and its easy enough to do, will have to look at the teeth spacing as I think only have 11t so would be a relatively big jump, I can see having a 13t top gear on the lock ring would be good.
 

Moto

Finding my (electric) wheels
Jul 7, 2017
16
2
57
Hampshire
If you buy a lekkie 42 bling ring [not cheap], but it has the added advantage of moving the chain line inwards
Well.... actually the standard ring has quite a pronounced dish inwards to help the chain-line, so I can only assume a Bling ring would just move it out as its flat?
 

Moto

Finding my (electric) wheels
Jul 7, 2017
16
2
57
Hampshire
The 36 lekkie is flat but 42 and above are dished, luna cycles used to have a range with different offset
Ah, yes my mistake. At that price, and made from softer aluminium I think I will look at other options ;)
 

Moto

Finding my (electric) wheels
Jul 7, 2017
16
2
57
Hampshire
Just for interest, I have found that as my fitness increased the need for lower gears has gone and I quite often want a higher gear! Well, downhill anyway.
One thing of note with the BBS01 is that it's power curve peaks at quite a low rpm, or at least quite a bit lower than my normal cadence.
This means that to benefit from the motor on a steep hill needs a gear or two higher than you would use in unassisted mode.
I did swap to a 34 tooth cassette when changing the chain recently, 2nd gear now is plenty low enough without any nasty chain noises. 1st gear works reliably but does make a little noise due to the chain angle, but I never need it anyway.
 

Sturmey

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jan 26, 2018
633
345
68
Ireland
....One thing of note with the BBS01 is that it's power curve peaks at quite a low rpm, or at least quite a bit lower than my normal cadence.
This means that to benefit from the motor on a steep hill needs a gear or two higher than you would use in unassisted mode.
I did swap to a 34 tooth cassette when changing the chain recently, 2nd gear now is plenty low enough without any nasty chain noises. 1st gear works reliably but does make a little noise due to the chain angle, but I never need it anyway.
On most 'controlled' electric motors, the power seems to peaks around 60-70% of max rpm but the motor is most efficient above 80%. (RPM = cadence on a mid drive)
The motor simulator can illustrate this e.g. On a 10% hill climb, the 24T rear cog has more power and faster than the 34T, but is less efficient and does result in a hotter motor (100 versus 70 C) and approx 10% extra battery consumption.