Can I put both spacers on one side (non-drive side) of the bottom bracket??

My new Truvativ Firex crank included new bb cartridge bearings and cups(external bearings). Included with the new bearing set; two 2.4mm spacers. I tested the bottom bracket without the spacers and the result was a gap/looseness between the crank arms. I’m not sure if this is important; the previous crank Truvativ Elita, had a chainline of 46.1, while the new crank is said to have a chainline of 51. Now that everything is installed and working great – I wonder if I could pull the chain closer to the frame by placing both spacers on the non-drive side?? The manufacturer’s directions state one spacer on each side. However, if the chain line was closer to the frame – I could extend the shifting range of the middle chainring into the higher range of the cassette, with less stress on the chain.


The rest of the story - With expert guidance from this forum, I recently switched out an11x32 cassette with an 11x34 and switched a 30x42x52 crank to a 26x36x48. The cassettes were both Shimano and the cranks were both Truvativ. I’m a happy guy – the index shifters are working great - the front derailleur seems to work better than before. The only adjustment I had to make was to tighten the cable on the front derailleur and smaller crank set required I lower the front derailleur about 3/8 inch.

The benefit of all this - Now I don’t have to spend all my time riding in the smallest chainring. I can pull my trailer up any hill and against all this panhandle wind. Thanks guys.