Different sprockets - longer/shorter chain?

[650]

Afternoon

I'm looking at chain and sprocket kits. I know that I can change the low/top end by buying different front sprockets. I was wondering if I bought a sprocket with less teeth, would that make any difference in the chain that I buy...i.e will it need to be shorter/longer to represent the difference from stock?

[yorkie_chris]

Depends how many teeth difference you have

[650]

This is where I need to do research so will get back to you on that

[650]

Actually, I believe taking one off the front and adding one to the back is best so as to not add too much pressure to the bearings on the front sprocket? I stand to be corrected...

[mikerj]

Originally Posted by 650

Actually, I believe taking one off the front and adding one to the back is best so as to not add too much pressure to the bearings on the front sprocket? I stand to be corrected...

It won't make any difference to the bearings, provided there is sufficient adjustment available to tension the chain correctly.

It's better to add teeth to the rear than remove them from the front, simply because the smaller the sprocket, the faster the sprocket and chain wears.

[650]

Good call, so will the chain length remain the same? That's the information I can't seem to find

[yorkie_chris]

It depends how many teeth you change it by.

For example I think I went to 48 teeth on a naked (been a while) and increased chain by 2 links to suit. Might have got away without but hey it worked.

[Sir Trev]

I went from 15 to 16 on the front and Spannerman simply adjusted the chain tension with the available wheel travel. But as YC says it depends on which sprocket you change and by how many teeth.

Originally Posted by 650

Good call, so will the chain length remain the same? That's the information I can't seem to find

I'd advocate changing sprockets and chain at the same time (if affordable and depending on the condition). I believe the idea is new well matched compenents will wear more evenly. An old chain on a new sprocket might wear the sprocket more. By the time you're ready to change the chain you might find you'll want a another new sprocket too. Also there is a chart online (somewhere) which shows the typical length of chain you'll need for an increase/decrease in sprockets.

[650]

Definitely doing the two together, I want it all nice and sparkly (might buy it now but wait for the weather to pick up a bit though haha)

I honestly can't seem to find anything telling me specifics regarding these things, maybe I'm using the wrong search terminology. I'm usually so gooood at these things, too!