If I swap out cassettes, should I shorten the chain?
10-17-14, 07:21 AM
#1
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If I swap out cassettes, should I shorten the chain?
Most of the road riding I do is pretty flat. My Specialized Roubaix came with a 10 speed 12-30 rear cassette. I'm thinking of changing it out for at 12-27 or 12-25 to gain the 16T gear and get a little smoother shifting on the flats. I figure I'm not giving up much since I rarely ride hills.
So my question... should I shorten my chain when (if) I go to the smaller cassette?
BTW - 50/34 compact crankset, if that matters.
So my question... should I shorten my chain when (if) I go to the smaller cassette?
BTW - 50/34 compact crankset, if that matters.
10-17-14, 07:58 AM
#2
Really Old Senior Member
For that small of a change, I wouldn't bother.
There's even a chance that going to a 27 wouldn't require any shortening anyway.
Also, if you decide to go back to the 30T, you can without any fuss. You can't really add a link back without using the special pins or another Quick Link.
There's even a chance that going to a 27 wouldn't require any shortening anyway.
Also, if you decide to go back to the 30T, you can without any fuss. You can't really add a link back without using the special pins or another Quick Link.
10-17-14, 08:05 AM
#3
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rpecot, Your low gear with a 25T would be ~35 GI. I've rode all around the Katy area with a ~48 GI low. For us the best gearing is a scheme with close ratios to deal with the wind, in particular during the afternoon.
Brad
Brad
10-17-14, 08:13 AM
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Going from a 30T to a 25T cog would allow you to shorten the chain by half of the 5T difference or 2.5 half-links, basically one full (inner + outer) link. A 27T large cog wouldn't allow any practical shortening. So, unless your chain is significantly too long now, it's not worth it. That said, you will probably need a new chain with any new cassette so you can size it then.
10-17-14, 08:20 AM
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For that small of a change, I wouldn't bother.
There's even a chance that going to a 27 wouldn't require any shortening anyway.
Also, if you decide to go back to the 30T, you can without any fuss. You can't really add a link back without using the special pins or another Quick Link.
There's even a chance that going to a 27 wouldn't require any shortening anyway.
Also, if you decide to go back to the 30T, you can without any fuss. You can't really add a link back without using the special pins or another Quick Link.
10-17-14, 08:26 AM
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Back to google (bike forums/youtube/etc/etc) we go...
10-17-14, 08:35 AM
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As Bill said, you could size it to match the old one giving you the 30T capability or, better, just remove the old chain and cassette and keep them together as a matched set for future use. Using a master link in both the old and new chains will make swapping up and back very easy.
10-17-14, 08:54 AM
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Depends how worn the current cassette is.
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10-17-14, 08:59 AM
#10
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Brand new Take off OK, tossing chains early spreads wear life out on the other parts.
sometimes cheap costs more in the long run .. Ymmv.
package the old chain with the removed cassette , they wear into each other
sometimes cheap costs more in the long run .. Ymmv.
package the old chain with the removed cassette , they wear into each other
Last edited by fietsbob; 10-17-14 at 09:02 AM.
10-17-14, 10:31 AM
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For even MORE fun buy TWO new chains and rotate them every 500 miles :-)....always having a pre cleaned and lubed one "on deck" ready to go :-). Some folks buy a tandem chain and split it in half, making their two chains for 1.5x the cost of a single chain :-).
Bill
10-17-14, 10:51 AM
#12
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rpecot, I must've erred with an earlier edit. 
If you chain measures any wear, use a new chain.
Brad
If you chain measures any wear, use a new chain. Brad
