Chain Length Determination
05-20-09, 09:39 AM
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Chain Length Determination
According to Sheldon Brown, the best way to determine the necessary chain length for a drive train is to wrap the chain around the large sprockets front and rear (as I recall), without running the chain through the RD. My question is: Does this mean the chain can be the same length for a bike with a long cage RD as well as a medium or short-cage mech?
05-20-09, 10:03 AM
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Yes. If you're sizing the chain for a specific drivetrain, as is the case with the big/big (plus one inch) sizing method you describe, then the cage length isn't a factor in determining the length of the chain-
Last edited by well biked; 05-20-09 at 10:06 AM.
05-20-09, 10:34 AM
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the alternative is to run it small x small, through the derailer and cut the chain to a length where it won't droop.
advantage to this method, is if you have a medium or long cage RD, you can swap out the cassette and not have to get a new chain.
advantage to this method, is if you have a medium or long cage RD, you can swap out the cassette and not have to get a new chain.
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https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
05-20-09, 10:38 AM
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As long as your drivetrain is within the derailleur's chain wrap capacity, that's fine. But if not, and you do it this way, the chain won't be long enough to cover the big/big combo. The results can be disastrous, much more so than if the chain is indeed long enough but the derailleur doesn't quite have enough chain wrap capacity-
05-20-09, 10:42 AM
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yep, but usually not a problem if you use a road medium (37T capacity) or mtb long cage (45T capacity).
either way, the wrong RD length is being used if the chainrings + cassette teeth difference is exceeding the RD capacity.
either way, the wrong RD length is being used if the chainrings + cassette teeth difference is exceeding the RD capacity.
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Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
05-20-09, 05:43 PM
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My method is to thread chain thru RD and around small cog and small ring.
Take enough off so upper jockey pulley doesn't rub.
Been doing this for many years and works for me YMMV.
Take enough off so upper jockey pulley doesn't rub.
Been doing this for many years and works for me YMMV.
05-20-09, 07:50 PM
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The big/big sizing method (which is what I happen to use) yields the shortest chain that's safe to run with a particular chainring, cassette combination. The small/small sizing method gives the longest chain that will work with your derailleur.
