46t or 48t sprocket for Vado SL 4.0

[JJay03]

Has anyone upgraded from the 44t sprocket to a 46 or 48? Just want to check with someone who had done it before I go ordering parts.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I happen to own an unused 48T, 104 BCD, 4-hole ring. I have just looked how that would fit on my Vado SL, and can see there is no obstacle to do that.
A question of curiosity: why would you want to replace the Vado SL chainring with the bigger one?

 

[JJay03]

I happen to own an unused 48T, 104 BCD, 4-hole ring. I have just looked how that would fit on my Vado SL, and can see there is no obstacle to do that.
A question of curiosity: why would you want to replace the Vado SL chainring with the bigger one?

Thanks. To utilize more than the smallest 2 gears on the cassette.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Thanks. To utilize more than the smallest 2 gears on the cassette.

(sorry for writing nonsense here).

 

[JJay03]

Yes, thats why I need to go to a larger chainring up front. Using the small high gear is also more of an angle than the middle gears. My wife rides this bike and we mostly ride on flat rail trails. I understand gearing and cadance I just want to know if anyone else in here made the change.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Sorry. My mind is not working very well this morning

Of course. The larger chainring will shift your chain onto the middle gears. Yes, you can install a 48T, 104 BCD, 4-hole front chainring on your Vado SL.

 

[JJay03]

Is the current sprocket is threaded? Would I be able to get one that is similar so I can use the same bolts?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Is the current sprocket is threaded? Would I be able to get one that is similar so I can use the same bolts?

Only if you buy a Praxis chainring. For any other chainring, you need to buy a pack of "MTB chainring bolts" (these are sold in packs of five and are 8x8 mm). The MTB chainring bolts come with nuts, so are not externally threaded.

 

[JJay03]

Only if you buy a Praxis chainring. For any other chainring, you need to buy a pack of "MTB chainring bolts" (these are sold in packs of five and are 8x8 mm). The MTB chainring bolts come with nuts, so are not externally threaded.

Ok cool. Thanks.

 

[Marcela]

44t to a 46 or 48 is is not going to make a lot of difference, at that large of number the % is pretty small. Use the bikecalc.com and put the numbers in. Really doubt at the same cadence it will move the chain any cogs. Unless you need to change the chainring of course. I'd opt for a steel instead of aluminum.

 

[JJay03]

44t to a 46 or 48 is is not going to make a lot of difference, at that large of number the % is pretty small. Use the bikecalc.com and put the numbers in. Really doubt at the same cadence it will move the chain any cogs. Unless you need to change the chainring of course. I'd opt for a steel instead of aluminum.

At 80rpm its about a 2.3mph difference. That should be enough so she can shift down a gear or 2 on the cassette. Changing the chain ring is what I am talking about.

 

[JJay03]

My issue now is I dont know which brand or material to get and where to get it from. Any suggestions?

 

[mikeschn]

44t to a 46 or 48 is is not going to make a lot of difference, at that large of number the % is pretty small. Use the bikecalc.com and put the numbers in. Really doubt at the same cadence it will move the chain any cogs. Unless you need to change the chainring of course. I'd opt for a steel instead of aluminum.

That's a cool calculator!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

My issue now is I dont know which brand or material to get and where to get it from. Any suggestions?

Deckas is a known brand (select a 48T ring from the list):
Deckas 104 BCD chainrings

You will need MTB chainring bolts with nuts:
Wolftooth MTB chainring bolts with nuts, 4 pcs

If your Specialized LBS is any good, you can ask them to order a Praxis 48T 104 BCD chainring used on some full power Vado and Como e-bikes. The name is "Specialized CHR Praxis MY17 Vado 48T Chainring 104 Wave" and the Part Number is S171400002. You can re-use your existing chainring bolts with this ring.

Note: You can ride without any chainguard (your Vado SL has a Specialized chainguard for the 44T Praxis ring).

Besides, steel is only available for small MTB chainrings, @Marcela. Weight is the reason. Also, the load is spread over many teeth in a large ring, so aluminum is appropriate there.

 

[JJay03]

Deckas is a known brand (select a 48T ring from the list):
Deckas 104 BCD chainrings

You will need MTB chainring bolts with nuts:
Wolftooth MTB chainring bolts with nuts, 4 pcs

If your Specialized LBS is any good, you can ask them to order a Praxis 48T 104 BCD chainring used on some full power Vado and Como e-bikes. The name is "Specialized CHR Praxis MY17 Vado 48T Chainring 104 Wave" and the Part Number is S171400002. You can re-use your existing chainring bolts with this ring.

Note: You can ride without any chainguard (your Vado SL has a Specialized chainguard for the 44T Praxis ring).

Besides, steel is only available for small MTB chainrings, @Marcela. Weight is the reason. Also, the load is spread over many teeth in a large ring, so aluminum is appropriate there.

Thank you!

 

[mikeschn]

I was going to get a larger chain ring for my eMTB so I didn't have to pedal like a madman at the higher speeds. That's no longer a consideration. However I can see the benefit of a larger chainring to reduce the wear on your smallest sprocket.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I was going to get a larger chain ring for my eMTB so I didn't have to pedal like a madman at the higher speeds. That's no longer a consideration. However I can see the benefit of a larger chainring to reduce the wear on your smallest sprocket.

In most of situations it is not doable to install a chainring bigger than 36 or 38T because of the way the e-MTB frame is constructed.

 

[JJay03]

Deckas is a known brand (select a 48T ring from the list):
Deckas 104 BCD chainrings

You will need MTB chainring bolts with nuts:
Wolftooth MTB chainring bolts with nuts, 4 pcs

If your Specialized LBS is any good, you can ask them to order a Praxis 48T 104 BCD chainring used on some full power Vado and Como e-bikes. The name is "Specialized CHR Praxis MY17 Vado 48T Chainring 104 Wave" and the Part Number is S171400002. You can re-use your existing chainring bolts with this ring.

Note: You can ride without any chainguard (your Vado SL has a Specialized chainguard for the 44T Praxis ring).

Besides, steel is only available for small MTB chainrings, @Marcela. Weight is the reason. Also, the load is spread over many teeth in a large ring, so aluminum is appropriate there.

Would you happen to know the P/N for the 48t chainring guard? I seen they make one but not seeing the p/n yet. If not no big deal Ill have my bike shop look it up.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Would you happen to know the P/N for the 48t chainring guard? I seen they make one but not seeing the p/n yet. If not no big deal Ill have my bike shop look it up.

Unfortunately not...

 

[JJay03]

Unfortunately not...

Think I found it. S179900050