Chain to long?
#1
.....
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Long Island
Posts: 4,816
Bikes: 2006 Cannondale CAAD8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Chain to long?
I am wondering if my chain is to long. This is the bike set up.
Full Ultegra 10 Speed. Short cage rear derailleur. 53-39 Crank. 12-25 Cassette.
Big Big Combo
Big Big Close up
Small Small Combo
Small Small Close up
The thing that concerns me is that the chain looks a little to long in the small small combo like the derailler cant take up enough slack. (I understand you shouldn't ride in the small small) In the Big Big combo it seems like the derailler would be fine with one less link. This leads me to believe I can safely remove a link. It rides fine now but I am wondering if it is the correct length. I can get more pictures if needed. I have to break the chain apart because I am adding in a Connex Link so while I am there...
is it okay or should I remove a link?
Full Ultegra 10 Speed. Short cage rear derailleur. 53-39 Crank. 12-25 Cassette.
Big Big Combo
Big Big Close up
Small Small Combo
Small Small Close up
The thing that concerns me is that the chain looks a little to long in the small small combo like the derailler cant take up enough slack. (I understand you shouldn't ride in the small small) In the Big Big combo it seems like the derailler would be fine with one less link. This leads me to believe I can safely remove a link. It rides fine now but I am wondering if it is the correct length. I can get more pictures if needed. I have to break the chain apart because I am adding in a Connex Link so while I am there...
is it okay or should I remove a link?
#2
Keep on climbing
Since you're breaking the chain anyway, I'd just go ahead and re-size the chain using the "large cog / large chainring" method. That's the way I've always done it, and it's never given me problems. See here for details and alternative chain measuring methods: https://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=26
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,152
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I use the large chaining/smallest cog or small chaining/largest cog method. In either position, the RD cage should be more of less perpenticular to the ground.
Nice silver finish, can do wo so MANY logos (Cannondale's fault I know).
Nice silver finish, can do wo so MANY logos (Cannondale's fault I know).
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 6,864
Bikes: Trek Domane SLR 7 AXS, Trek CheckPoint SL7 AXS, Trek Emonda ALR AXS, Trek FX 5 Sport
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 760 Post(s)
Liked 1,717 Times
in
1,003 Posts
I have this same concern only mine is the Compact 50/34 12-25 version of the CAAD9.
#6
Low car diet
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Corvallis, OR, USA
Posts: 2,407
Bikes: 2006 Windsor Dover w/105, 2007 GT Avalanche w/XT, 1995 Trek 820 setup for touring, 201? Yeah single-speed folder, 199? Huffy tandem.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Assuming you've got the correct rear derailleur, as long as the big/big combo can reach and the upper pulley doesn't bump into the cog in small/small, then the chain length is fine. You do the big/big sizing method to get the shortest chain possible without precluding the use of the big/big combo. Your chain length appears fine in the pics, but you could probably shorten it.
Edit: here's the big/big sizing method: https://sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment.html#chain
Edit: here's the big/big sizing method: https://sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment.html#chain
#7
.....
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Long Island
Posts: 4,816
Bikes: 2006 Cannondale CAAD8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Assuming you've got the correct rear derailleur, as long as the big/big combo can reach and the upper pulley doesn't bump into the cog in small/small, then the chain length is fine. You do the big/big sizing method to get the shortest chain possible without precluding the use of the big/big combo. Your chain length appears fine in the pics, but you could probably shorten it.
Edit: here's the big/big sizing method: https://sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment.html#chain
Edit: here's the big/big sizing method: https://sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment.html#chain
Currently there are no problems but I think I will see how it loos when I try the big big method of sizing from sheldon browns site.
Also I am adding a connex master link. Can I break the chain anywhere and put it on or should I try to find the masterlink used on the current chain?
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,152
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yup. Take one 1 link.
Say your chainring diff looks extreme (may require a longer RD). Ppl who know this better advise, am too lazy to go through the gearings.
Say your chainring diff looks extreme (may require a longer RD). Ppl who know this better advise, am too lazy to go through the gearings.
Last edited by jsmithepa; 06-08-08 at 11:19 AM.
#9
Low car diet
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Corvallis, OR, USA
Posts: 2,407
Bikes: 2006 Windsor Dover w/105, 2007 GT Avalanche w/XT, 1995 Trek 820 setup for touring, 201? Yeah single-speed folder, 199? Huffy tandem.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
#10
.....
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Long Island
Posts: 4,816
Bikes: 2006 Cannondale CAAD8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I removed a link and a half and then added the masterlink. Here are some new pics.
Small Small
Seems better.
Big Big
Still acceptable I hope. I went for a ride and everything still rides fine.
I was on Sheldon's site and he said that as long as there is an obvious bend when it passes through the rear derailler it is fine. And there is definately a bend. It doesn't go straight through.
Also I used his method of sizing. Big big combo (not through the derailleurs). Then add 1 link. Seems good.
Thanks for all the help.
Small Small
Seems better.
Big Big
Still acceptable I hope. I went for a ride and everything still rides fine.
I was on Sheldon's site and he said that as long as there is an obvious bend when it passes through the rear derailler it is fine. And there is definately a bend. It doesn't go straight through.
Also I used his method of sizing. Big big combo (not through the derailleurs). Then add 1 link. Seems good.
Thanks for all the help.
Last edited by Jynx; 06-08-08 at 01:23 PM.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
364 Posts
Just looking at the pictures, I'd say that you're pretty close right now. You can't shorten your chain by 1/2 inch, you have to shorten it in full inch increments. Your rear derailleur looks like it might make it but I wouldn't bet on it.
If it's not rubbing anywhere in the little/little I think that I'd leave well enough alone.
If it's not rubbing anywhere in the little/little I think that I'd leave well enough alone.
#12
Low car diet
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Corvallis, OR, USA
Posts: 2,407
Bikes: 2006 Windsor Dover w/105, 2007 GT Avalanche w/XT, 1995 Trek 820 setup for touring, 201? Yeah single-speed folder, 199? Huffy tandem.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Looks, good, Jynx.