Originally Posted by
Runngun
I have a new 2019 Giant Roam 3 with the 3x8 drive train. I have osteoarthritis in my left thumb and find the left shifter difficult to manipulate. There’s a shifter upgrade in the future. In the meantime am I wearing my components prematurely by staying on the center chain ring and using the cassette across all 8 gears?
No, and even if you are, they're components (chain and cassette) that need to be replaced on a fairly regular basis anyway. At most, you're probably taking a couple hundred miles off of their lifespan. Being in the center, there just isn't that much crossing at the extremes.
If it comes down to a choice between wearing out a chain or wearing out your thumb, I think you know which one wins.