During our testing of 1x12spd drivetrains, we worked with 42t, 44t, 46t, and 48t chainrings. We found that anything less than 46t was insufficient at the top end in SIM mode, specifically during hard efforts in groups, whether sprinting for a segment in a group ride or for the finish line in a race. In these settings, a 11t or 10t cog was too spun out. Further, the 46t worked, but was right on the boundary of offering a quality experience for the stronger riders out there. We assessed that a 48t would solve that, and that it would work well on the lower end via simple adjustments to “trainer difficulty,” which corresponds to the degree to which a smart trainer’s resistance matches the real-world resistance for a given gradient. Essentially, “trainer difficulty” adjustments are analogous to gear ratio adjustments, allowing riders to toggle to their low-end needs even with a 48t chainring.
Please note: Our direct mount caveworks branded crankset is compatible with 3 bolt X-sync-style chainrings, so it can be swapped out to a different size if desired.