Not a Ratrod, But You Guys Get It!

[FrugalNooga]

I think this forum is for me. Or at least the closest thing. In two weeks I'm getting a Pure Cycle Coaster Bike. Non-Beach Cruiser single speed, non-fixie, Coaster Brake bikes are apparently a niche thing. I was going to buy one from RetroSpec but they discontinued theirs. So apparently is Pure Cycles. I liked the Linus Bike Coaster the best but it's $550, has even higher gears and weighs 32 lbs (I live in a hilly city aka Chattanooga). State Bike had a contender but they require a shop to assemble so.... no thanks. I'm very excited.

I'm going to need to drop the gearing down a bit. Should I get a smaller chain ring or bigger cog?

 

[Captain Awesome]

Welcome

Looks like you been around a couple years already!

Much more options to swap out the chainring. Aesthetically and as far as gearing is concerned. Requires very little mechanical prowess

 

[moutbkr]

I think this forum is for me. Or at least the closest thing. In two weeks I'm getting a Pure Cycle Coaster Bike. Non-Beach Cruiser single speed, non-fixie, Coaster Brake bikes are apparently a niche thing. I was going to buy one from RetroSpec but they discontinued theirs. So apparently is Pure Cycles. I liked the Linus Bike Coaster the best but it's $550, has even higher gears and weighs 32 lbs (I live in a hilly city aka Chattanooga). State Bike had a contender but they require a shop to assemble so.... no thanks. I'm very excited.

I'm going to need to drop the gearing down a bit. Should I get a smaller chain ring or bigger cog?

Welcome

Looks like you been around a couple years already!

Much more options to swap out the chainring. Aesthetically and as far as gearing is concerned. Requires very little mechanical prowess

Welcome to the club

 

[Wildcat]

Welcome aboard!


A smaller chain wheel will require you to take a link or two from the chain. A bigger cog will require more chain, so there's the cost factor to do the same thing. You'd have to get a chain to add a bigger cog. A chain wheel is easier to change also.

This coaster bike has a 42 chainwheel/16 cog setup with 700c wheels. I used a calculator to figure the gear inches. 71 is kind of high, but on the flat would be good and have good speed, but it looks like a 38 tooth chain wheel would put you in the range you are looking for. One speed beach cruiser type bikes and the old one speed coasters are around 65 gear inches.

 

[FrugalNooga]

Welcome aboard!


A smaller chain wheel will require you to take a link or two from the chain. A bigger cog will require more chain, so there's the cost factor to do the same thing. You'd have to get a chain to add a bigger cog. A chain wheel is easier to change also.

View attachment 287149
This coaster bike has a 42 chainwheel/16 cog setup with 700c wheels. I used a calculator to figure the gear inches. 71 is kind of high, but on the flat would be good and have good speed, but it looks like a 38 tooth chain wheel would put you in the range you are looking for. One speed beach cruiser type bikes and the old one speed coasters are around 65 gear inches.
View attachment 287151

Hah! I use that same gear inch calculator!

I asked the guys at Pure Cycles and they said it would be cheaper to get a bigger cog even if it meant buying a new chain. Is that right? I wouldn't think chain rings cost as much as a new cog and chain. So you would do the chain ring? Any links to 38 chain ring you would recommend? Guess I need to buy a chain tool as well? Any recommendations? Anything else I'd need?

 

[Wildcat]

You need to make sure you have the right size.
https://www.modernbike.com/chainring-measurements-guide

Around 20 bucks is what it looks like.
You aren't changing the crankset, just the chain wheel.
https://www.amazon.com/38t-chainring/s?k=38t+chainring

The guys at Pure may want the job of changing out the cog. That's business. The cog is hard to change out because of the retaining spring. It looks easy in this vid, but I've never had the snapring go on that easily.


Along with a chain tool, you'll need a hex wrench set to change out the chain wheel. You'll need a whole set of wrenches too. Might as well get a bunch of tools for your bikes. Tire levers, lithium grease, etc.