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Chain Length Question

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Old 05-23-16 | 08:09 PM
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Chain Length Question

Real quick,

Possibly replacing chainrings on my bike and the ones I'm looking at to replace them with will be a tooth smaller on the big ring, going from a 53t (current) to a 52t (replacement).

When I sized my current chain, I did the whole 'big-big-not-routed-through-derailleur-one-full-link-overlap' with the 53t that's on my bike. If I drop one tooth down to a 52t, is it worth it to take a link out of my chain? Or just leave it alone? Right now it's about perfect in length, not killing my derailleur on the big cog, and my derailleur is still taking up slack in the small cog (there's still spring pressure on the chain).

I'm assuming that one tooth shouldn't hurt and I'd be fine to leave it alone.

Thanks! You guys are the best.
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Old 05-23-16 | 08:10 PM
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Leave it alone.
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Old 05-23-16 | 08:12 PM
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The little/little hasn't changed so you'll still be able to take up the chain slack. Why change?
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Old 05-23-16 | 08:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Homebrew01
Leave it alone.
+1 Actually a one tooth reduction requires only a half-link shorter chain and you can't do that.
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Old 05-23-16 | 08:33 PM
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Yeah I realized it was only half a link, but thought maybe with a link overlap there'd be some amount of wiggle room that'd allow removing an entire link if required.

That's what I needed to know though. Thanks guys.
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Old 05-23-16 | 09:00 PM
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And your chain should wear about .85% longer
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