E160 900E gearing change

[Rockyw]

Has anyone tried a 36 tooth front sprocket on the Merida 160 900E rather than the supplied 34 tooth ? I find I am not using the lowest gears very often, but need more top end. Just wondering if that would make the lower gears too high ?

 

[flash]

I'm not at home right now to look it up but you can easily find sites that will give you the comparison ratios between larger and smaller front cogs. Then just see what rear you'd be on if you change based on the same ratio with the larger cog.

Gordon

 

[Cinnamon]

Does it take anything else but 34..?

 

[Rockyw]

Next size up from Shimano is 38 tooth, but other manufacturers make 36 tooth versions to fit. Gear ratio numbers don't mean much to me, its a feel thing. Was just wondering if anyone had tried a larger than 34 tooth front sprocket on the 11 speed 11/46 Shimano M8000 cassette ?

 

[Tamas]

From 34T to 36T is ~6% difference. At the same cadence, your speed will be 6% faster in every gear - 40kph vs 42.4kph as an example. I went the other way and replaced my 34 with a 32T.

 

[njn]

A few have done it with the shimano motor. Do you really need to be pedaling at 25mph?

 

[Rockyw]

Yes, racing in my clubs summer series in the E bike section, and am getting left behind on the flatter sections and some uphills.

 

[Tamas]

Yes, racing in my clubs summer series in the E bike section, and am getting left behind on the flatter sections and some uphills.

Spinning out with the 34T of flat an uphills(??) or just left behind because others are riding derestricted bikes?

 

[Cinnamon]

Let us know if 36 fits...38 won't..

 

[Rockyw]

Spinning out with the 34T of flat an uphills(??) or just left behind because others are riding derestricted bikes?

All the bikes are derestricted including mine. The Giant and specialized are both more powerful than my Shimano off the bottom, especially the Giant, and tend to get away on uphills. The guy with the Giant is running a 36 tooth front sprocket, so still pips me on the flat as well. Only way I can catch them, is I am faster on the down hills and corners, but hard to pass on the narrow tracks.

 

[Tamas]

All the bikes are derestricted including mine. The Giant and specialized are both more powerful than my Shimano off the bottom, especially the Giant, and tend to get away on uphills. The guy with the Giant is running a 36 tooth front sprocket, so still pips me on the flat as well. Only way I can catch them, is I am faster on the down hills and corners, but hard to pass on the narrow tracks.

Interesting... in our races, restricted only/one battery and let the strongest rider win.

 

[Gregbase]

Interesting. I only hear the opposite, my friend has a Stevens, he changed the 36T to 34T because of the tricky very steep uphills (same shimano engine). He said it makes big different.

 

[drjarvis2003]

Tried it and it wont fit.
36 tooth will hit the chainstay.

 

[Tamas]

Interesting. I only hear the opposite, my friend has a Stevens, he changed the 36T to 34T because of the tricky very steep uphills (same shimano engine). He said it makes big different.

I went from 34 to 32 for the same reason.

 

[Rockyw]

I have now fitted a 36 tooth praxis front sprocket, and it works well, the bike feels better geared and the motor stays in the assist zone better, and doesn't hit the chainstay as drjarvis 2003 suggested.

 

[Cinnamon]

So apparently 36 fits, atleast Praxis, so basically any brand should fit ? Asking because drjarvis said it wont fit...

 

[OlaGB]

So apparently 36 fits, atleast Praxis, so basically any brand should fit ? Asking because drjarvis said it wont fit...

Curious about this too, as praxis get real expensive here having to order it from abroad.

 

[Rockyw]

It fits because I have it on, and it doesn't hit the chain stay, and is working well so far.

 

[drjarvis2003]

As far as i remember it was a shimano 36 tooth chainring that i tried, although it may have been another brand and there was no way that it would fit, just have a look at the back teeth on your 34 tooth and you will see how close to the chainstay they are.

 

[igoriokas]

The 36t chainring fits Merida e160 very well.
There is about 2mm of clearance.
I used Deckas 36t chainring from AliExpress.
It works very well as new, will see about the durability in the longterm.

 

[HORSPWR]

The 36t chainring fits Merida e160 very well.
There is about 2mm of clearance.
I used Deckas 36t chainring from AliExpress.
It works very well as new, will see about the durability in the longterm.

View attachment 17672 View attachment 17673 View attachment 17674

Spot on, great pics thanks!

 

[HORSPWR]

I have now fitted a 36 tooth praxis front sprocket, and it works well, the bike feels better geared and the motor stays in the assist zone better, and doesn't hit the chainstay as drjarvis 2003 suggested.

Did you get the Praxis eRing steel chainring or the Praxis alloy 1x11 chainring?

 

[HORSPWR]

It fits because I have it on, and it doesn't hit the chain stay, and is working well so far.

Can you adjust the chainguide into the correct position as there is only 2 holes for adjustment 34/38T or did you remove it altogether?

 

[HORSPWR]

The 36t chainring fits Merida e160 very well.
There is about 2mm of clearance.
I used Deckas 36t chainring from AliExpress.
It works very well as new, will see about the durability in the longterm.

View attachment 17672 View attachment 17673 View attachment 17674

I can't see any reason why they wouldn't last as long as any other brand, they're made out of 7075-T6 Alloy the same as most others.

 

[Dan63]

I've ordered a 36T off eBay. $29au delivered including a set of alloy chainring bolts. Let's see how it goes

 

[HORSPWR]

I've ordered a 36T off eBay. $29au delivered including a set of alloy chainring bolts. Let's see how it goes

Yeah me too but they’ve run out of black and only have red left, I may just have to settle for red.

 

[Dan63]

Yeah me too but they’ve run out of black and only have red left, I may just have to settle for red.

They also have "snail" branded ones that are exactly the same. I've gone with this because I wasn't keen on the red either

 

[HORSPWR]

They also have "snail" branded ones that are exactly the same. I've gone with this because I wasn't keen on the red either

I ended up ordering a red
Got a link to the snail ones?

 

[Dan63]

I ended up ordering a red
Got a link to the snail ones?

Here you go mate. AU STOCK 30T-42T 104BCD Narrow Wide MTB Road Bike Chainring Single Chain Ring | eBay

 

[HORSPWR]

Well I fitted up my new 36T Deckas chain ring yesterday, easy install and clears the chain stay no problem. The 36T seems to launch the bike a bit more aggressively with the same settings. I'd like to be able to change it in one of the aftermarket apps but can't seem to be able to adjust the front ring size to 36T. (Edit: apparently the latest release of Steps Unlocker now allows this). You can still utilise the chain guide, it just needed to be rotated slightly to the rear to clear the chain.

Tip, when you have the chain ring off, check your motor mounting bolts. All of mine needed some tightening and the one in the middle on the drive side was one full turn loose. I should've removed them and put a dab of grease under the head but I forgot, if it still creaks I'll have to do it but the chain ring will need to come off to do so.