CJ C

Quick question about cross chaining for this newbie. Yes i have searched and read countless threads on how some say its evil and some say its okay once and a while. My question is the once and a while thing?

I ride a 9speed 12-25 with a compact crank. I ride in an area where there are lots of stop lights and have gotten tired of constantly shifting the front ring. So now at stop lights i start off in the Big Big combo, and because i do this very often during a ride i wonder if its okay because its only for a block or less since its a short time? Or is it something i should stay away from because its bad for the drivetrain.

10 Wheels

Its bad for the drivetrain

cks

I climb in my big/big all the time. I'm probably taking the rules too seriously:

Rule #90 // Never Get Out of the Big Ring.

If it gets steeper, just push harder on the pedals. When pressed on the matter, the Apostle Johan Museeuw simply replied, “Yes, why would you slow down?”

gregf83 

It's fine. Worst case your chain will wear out in 4000 miles instead of 4200. If it bothers you put it in a bigger gear and stand up. I wouldn't normally go lower than 53-19 to start.

oldbobcat

I agree. 9- and 10-speed chains are so flexible that any extra wear and tear on a properly set up double should be minimal, certainly far less than not cross-chaining with a dry or dirty chain. I wouldn't cross-chain all day, but using it for getting through intersections and sprinting over the tops of hills should present no problem.

Gluteus

+1.

rdtompki

Why do you need to start from a standstill in the big-big? Just stand for a few pedal strokes.

plpete

As long as you don't cross chain for your entire ride your fine cross chaining. The modern groups are designed to use all cogs and rings. Like gregf83 said, your chain might wear a bit quicker but its not a big deal and nothing significant to worry about as the chains are quite flexible. I use all cogs and both rings when riding in order to adapt to the conditions and worrying about cross chaining is the last thing on my mind.

Barrettscv 

Cross-chaining on the small-small combination is more of a problem than cross-chaining on the big-big. This is especially true of some compact crank set-ups that cause the chain to rub the big chainring. That will quickly damage the chain and big chainring.

CJ C

thanks all,

i dont big big that much only when there is no wind, which is rare for here. I feel better about doing it, i was worried i was causing major damage from some of the threads i searched. I guess this is a justification to upgrade to a 10 or 11 speed

i am a new and weak rider that is also overweight so i am already standing on the big-big from a start.

Dean V

What you are doing is fine. You could also look at getting a 12-27 cassette. Then you wouldn't need to cross chain as much and also get a lower first gear when you need it. The bigger jumps between gears are at the low end of the cassette (21-23-25 vs 21-24-27).

datlas 

It's considered poor form but if for short periods of time it's fine.

I think the real question is why don't you just drop it to the small ring when coming to a stop?? That's what I do. Are you afraid of your FD???

rangerdavid

and Rule #5

CJ C

hmmm thats a thought, i dont mind big gaps at the low end, i dont like them in the middle.

my FD is beautiful, its just riding in the city with city traffic i was shifting the front constantly and sometimes in traffic i do have to sprint up to speed to get around a bus/pothole/parked car/parked car opening a door before traffic. so shifting the front is not as fast and smooth. I need smooth in traffic and tight areas.

oldbobcat

If the bike has a derailleur, why not use it?

RoboIsGod

Only acceptable time to cross-chain is during races.

CJ C

dont think i will get into racing anytime soon

pallen

not a big deal, but neither is hitting the FD as you roll to a stop. You can actually get away with fewer shifts if you get in the habit of using the FD optimally. For example, in the red light scenario, as you are slowing, instead of shifting 4 or so times and going all the way to your big cog in back, just hit the FD. When the light turns green as you start getting up to speed, make your first shift the FD back to the big ring. When you have fairly major changes in speed light stoplights the FD is actually the simplest way to go. It just takes learning new habits. I'm also guilty of not knowing what gear I'm in a lot though and that can screw up this technique.

twodownzero

Don't worry about it. Cross chaining big-big is perfectly fine.

Brian Ratliff

Yup, excellent technique right up until you throw the chain as you are accelerating to stay up with traffic and almost eat sht right in front of an accelerating line of cars (true story). OP, the chain will run rough if you cross chain and it probably does slightly affect chain life, but it is not a drastic thing and there are times when it is useful. Mostly you don't want to do it all the time simply because the drivetrain is less efficient than the equivilent gearing non-cross chained.

Drew Eckhardt 

Speaking from experience:

1. After you wear out your big ring the chain angle combining it with the last cog can be enough to cause a spontaneous ring change which leads to a crash when you're standing on the pedals and pulling on the bars to accelerate. If you're lucky when that happens for the second time and you're greying out with marginal consciousness a nice couple driving a station wagon will see the crash and drive you home so you don't black out while riding.

A bit more chain noise and a lot of social stigma is more likely though.

2. 50x21 is plenty for accelerating out of the saddle even if you're a 215 pound rider (with a 145 pound racing weight and spindly legs built for that) with 15 pounds of luggage. 50x19 is OK too; although with a 23 big cog and no harm in using the 21 you might as well experience better living through technology. (Also speaking from experience although I've shrunk 30 pounds since then).

CJ C

I snapped a chain last year on my 80's road bike starting from a light, luckily i was only two cranks in from a stop so i was able to recover.

CJ C

Thanks all for the help,

I think what i will do is avoid it if possible and really only do it at the beginning of my rides where its in heavy traffic. maybe when i get stronger i will look into ditching the compact crank

twodownzero

If you had a 39 ring you'd have 0-20 mph covered without shifting the front!

djb

thankyou, my thoughts exactly.