patentcad

Lance was climbing in the opening kms in Monaco on his TT bike in the big ring/big rear cog combination. Just so you know. Looked like a 23 in the back, maybe it was a 21. I'm sure the front was at least a 53, maybe a couple of teeth larger.

Why does this work? Because cross chaining really doesn't seem to be an issue on modern 20 speed double chainring road bikes. I notice it starts becoming an issue on the triple on the MTB, and I would imagine triples on road bikes present symptoms. But I ride in what might traditionally be considered cross chaining gear combos with some regularity, particularly the 53 x 25 when I prefer big ringing it up a hill (I think that's about the equivalent of a 39 x 18, one of you Freds get out the gear tables and figure it out). My bikes have no troubles in those gear combos. And if the chain wears out 200 miles early, oh well. That's what the bike chain is for. Riding the bike.

So please. Try not to get your helmet mirrors in a twist over this you insufferable Rivendell-brainwashed Fred idiots.

Have a nice day.

umd

It's not a problem functionally, but it wears the drivetrain faster so it's a durability issue. Not a problem when you replace your equipment frequently...

bt

It's all good till you snap a chain and wrap your dérailleur around the seat stay.

patentcad

I'll bear this in mind for the next 100,000 road bicycle miles and see if I notice any of this.

coasting 

my big big combo rubs the front derailleur

Phantoj

Trim it!

Scorer75

Big/big is not a problem for my 20 speed Ultegra drive train.

However, my bike does not like the small/small combo, it skips under a heavy load. Is it just me???

mattm

I like 53x25 too.

San Rensho 

Did he even have a small CR on the TT bike? If he didn't, then its not even technically cross chaining, since a single ring will be set up so it lines up in the middle of the cassette and the chain angle will be the same when the biggest and smallest cogs are selected.

But so much for the nit picking.

Yes, modern bikes can easily cross chain all day with no ill effects. I do it all the time, but usually only for a short period of time, mostly because I don't like to be stuck at the limit of gearing.

Little Darwin

It is interesting since I suspect that the chain stays on his TT bike are quite short... which should be the worst case scenario for cross chaining.

patentcad

I'm sure they put a brand new drivetrain on Lance's bike after each stage.

coasting 

i take this thread as a personal attack on my thread.

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/559426-chain-length.html

Davet

I don't believe Lance's TT bike had a small chainring, only a large.

Velo Vol 

Disqualify that Fred.

AngryScientist 

no, i definitely saw him rocking some small chainring action in Stg. 1

MadGrad

I cross-chain just to annoy BF.



And because it doesn't do anything at all to my 105.

coasting 

I don't even understand the words "small chainring". They're not in my vocabulary.

timster

My small chainring IS a 53t

scotch

here's mine.

Grumpy McTrumpy

I do big-big often. My previous chain lasted over 4000 miles before I replaced it with only 1/32" of stretch and no visible extreme wear.

At Thater last year, the pros were big-big cross chaining on the hill, every lap.

127.0.0.1

no it doesn't, not with modern cut, swaged, flanged, ramped rings and chains

old school chains and rings, big problem

todays stuff, cross chain all u want.

sstorkel

Definitely larger. Lance was using SRAM's TT large chainring. It's available only in 54- and 55-tooth varieties.

DieselDan

None of us can compare our setups and techniques to elite pro racers. None of us have mechanics and parts at our beck and call 24 hours a day.

save10

I cross chain with pride. I dialed in my FD so i have no chain rub on any gears.

urbanknight

My bike can cross chain just fine. I just don't want to, but now that I hear Lance does it... I will take extra caution not to.