Chain Length Question
#1
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Utah
Bikes: '88 Trek 1200, '91 Trek 1400
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.
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.
#2
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Leave it alone.
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#3
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From: St Peters, Missouri
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
The little/little hasn't changed so you'll still be able to take up the chain slack. Why change?
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#4
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
#5
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 770
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From: Utah
Bikes: '88 Trek 1200, '91 Trek 1400
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.
That's what I needed to know though. Thanks guys.








