FE 400 Front and back sprockets

DuaneFE400 · Apr 20, 2014

Hi Gents,

Just wondered if anyone had an FE400 and decided on changing the gearing?

I'm currently running the standard 13T front and 48T back sprocket but was thinking of going down one on the front and potentially going up on the back!

Any tips? Or experience with what works well?

Thanks,

Duane

zaga · Apr 20, 2014

Hi Duane

It will depend on what do you do your bike and how do you like it.

For me, for enduro, it's 13/50 or 51 or 52

Probably 50 would be the best well balanced for different terrains.

I would slot the holes of the chain guide for the bigger sprockets.

Cheers
ZAGA

DuaneFE400 · Apr 20, 2014

Hi Zaga!

Good to hear from you!

Thanks for the info, I suppose it is trial and error for how I want to ride. It's good to hear what others use though just to get some perspective!

Be interesting to see what others may use.

Cheers!

ned37 · Apr 21, 2014

13/48 is great for me. 1st gear is so low, you don't need to go lower on the sprockets. gear it for second. if second won't pull you up a nasty steep hill, and you do that a lot, then change.

jampe · Apr 21, 2014

14/48 used for Swedish stone enduro.
Regards
Jampe

edelweiss · Apr 21, 2014

something between 13:48 and 14:50 (i.e. 13:49 or 14:51), otherwise you dont need first gear and there must be reason it is in the gearbox. I just tried 13:50 and its too slow for me. 14:48 was too fast, had problems in steep long uphills.

DuaneFE400 · Apr 21, 2014

Thanks Guy's appreciate the responses, always good to have some feedback on what people generally find works.

I have 13/48 but I also have a 12 front and a 50 back sprocket coming, so I might just have a play with the set ups and see what feels good.

Might try the 12/50 and make it a wheelie machine

jampe · Apr 22, 2014

Watch out for the swingarm, the 12 is so small so it might grind down the swingarm protection and then the swingarm.
Regards
Jampe

DuaneFE400 said:
Thanks Guy's appreciate the responses, always good to have some feedback on what people generally find works.

I have 13/48 but I also have a 12 front and a 50 back sprocket coming, so I might just have a play with the set ups and see what feels good.

Might try the 12/50 and make it a wheelie machine

edelweiss · Apr 22, 2014

jampe said:
Watch out for the swingarm, the 12 is so small so it might grind down the swingarm protection and then the swingarm.
Regards
Jampe

even 13 teeth in front is "on the edge" and wears the chain slide much more faster. and that is not the only reason why to rather use larger front sprocket. it gives the chain longer life too and it is generally more safe (chain failure can cause big damage).

zaga · Apr 22, 2014

edelweiss said:
even 13 teeth in front is "on the edge" and wears the chain slide much more faster. and that is not the only reason why to rather use larger front sprocket. it gives the chain longer life too and it is generally more safe (chain failure can cause big damage).

Very true, but see

13/50 = 0,26

14/54 = 0,259

It would be one huge rear sprocket

Cheers
ZAGA

edelweiss · Apr 22, 2014

13 teeth is extreme for front and 52 for rear. I wouldnt go further. Combination of them is even more extreme. I would combine to avoid these extremes. But I dont ride real extremes. For example generally very rideable is 14:50 and when there is a plan to ride more technical terrain, simply change the front to 13 teeth. That is a reasonable compromise how to solve this problem for good. I personally hate changing rear sprocket. Loctite is a good thing, but when you want to loosen it you need twice as long lever as usually. the spokes force you to use open ended spanner sometimes where ring head spanner is more appropriate to use. and then you ruin half of the nuts and change the whole set of nuts and screws as a result. Front is easy to change. With good tools 10 seconds. Or ride 14:51 (14:52) ALL THE TIME, that is another good compromise.

ned37 · Apr 22, 2014

Front is easy to change. With good tools 10 seconds.

are those tools a torch and a grinder?
chain needs to be slacked off to max to get it off the shaft.

edelweiss · Apr 22, 2014

ned37 said:
are those tools a torch and a grinder?
chain needs to be slacked off to max to get it off the shaft.

I mean only the time spent on putting one front sprocket off and another on. not the time for splitting the chain, reconnecting it and adjusting - this simply must be done, allways. changing front sprocket, compared to changing rear sprocket, its piece of cake (supposed you use proper tool = circlip pliers).

DuaneFE400 · Jun 19, 2014

zaga said:
Hi Duane

It will depend on what do you do your bike and how do you like it.

For me, for enduro, it's 13/50 or 51 or 52

Probably 50 would be the best well balanced for different terrains.

I would slot the holes of the chain guide for the bigger sprockets.

Cheers
ZAGA

Just an update Gents, I went with 13/50 and I find this a very good balance for mud, sandy and rocky conditions. Provides a slightly increased acceleration to the standard setup without losing the need for the 1st gear I would say.

Thanks Zaga and everyone for the info/advice.

zaga · Jun 19, 2014

Hi

It can't be perfect on every ride, but It works well for me also on the 400.

ZAGA

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