Chainring advice for SS MTB 29er

I have one of these, used as my short commute / pub bike

http://www.konabikes.co.uk/2008/unit/unit-2-9.php

Am fed up of being overtaken on the flat by foldup bikes and old ladies. So am looking to increase the gear ratio from 32/18 to maybe 40/18.

Firstly, does this ratio sound about right?

Secondly, any suggestions as to what chainring / cranks would be appropriate?

Bit vague, sorry!

If it's all on road try 40 on 16

I've got a 44t 104pcd 4-arm ring you can have if you come and get it, 44/18 is pretty sensible for pure road use.

thanks, thats very kind. i really need to work out what cranks & possibly a bashguard i need first.

The ring I have will go on your current cranks, assuming you have the stock ones. If you want a guard on a ring that big, you'd probably have to change to a 130pcd 5 arm and use cyclo cross parts.

isn't it easier to take apart one of your old casettes from geared MTB or smth and have yourself a selection of gears down from 18 to 12 - just to try and see what suits best?

The Kona Unit uses a screw on freewheel, not a single speed cassette hub.

oopsey!..

will definitely need some kind of protection, any pointers towards cyclocross parts?
i dont really understand how a bashguard fits on either - is it attached through the same bolt holes as the chainring?

Why do you need a bashguard for commuting?

And yes, they go onto the other side of the spider, taking the place of a second ring on a two ring chainset.

Why do you need a bashguard for commuting?

well, i dont need one necessarily, but need something to prevent my trousers being eaten. on the current set up the diameter of the chainring and the crank are the same which gives protection, if i just fit a larger ring then it will be exposed and i will be going through trousers at a rate...

i hope thats a titanium and carbon fibre bulldog clip

need something to prevent my trousers being eaten

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check out raceface bashguards, they work well.sorry dont have linky.

£25 bashguard (for 40t max) or £1.99 trouser clips? You decide.

yeah true, got mine for 15.......