Chain length / links
 

To be on the safe side, what length 10 speed chain should i get with an 11 speed 50/34 crankset and a 10 speed 11/34T cassette? I am hoping to do without a roadlink, but i am not positive about this yet. Should i wait until after i have tested this set up determining whether or not i need the roadlink before i buy the chain? I understand diferent set ups need different length chains. FWIW, i am using an Ultegra 6700 RD.

Length.. Pin center to center, each link is 1/2"... bike chains are all 1/2" pitch.

an inner link + an outer one is 3 pins , so 1". you only cut chains shorter..
if you make it too short* you add a 2nd quick link and a section of new chain

wrap the chain around the 2 biggest chainrings yet? passing thru the RD pulleys..

in the Bike Shop a C /_\ bent piece of an old spoke holds the new chain
gap to try it for length, before finally cutting it.. and fitting the quick link.




* or have a recumbent..



...

The biggest factor is chain stay length. The most insignificant factor is derailleur arm length.

I subscribe to the big/big chain sizing method: Wrap your chain around the biggest front and rear sprockets, bypassing the derailleur. Figure out the shortest place you could rejoin the chain (there ware wide and narrow links). Add 1" of chain (2 links) to that. A 10 speed chain will come with it's own joining link or pin. Use that. That's the shortest chain that you can safely use with your gearing combination. In the big/big your derailleur arm will be pulled nearly horizontal.

Perhaps you should get an 11-speed chain? The proper length will be the same as a 10-speed chain.

Are you are just wanting to know how many links you will at least need to make sure the chain is long enough prior to sizing it.

I used a shimano 116 link 11 speed chain for my 11-32 52/36. That's probably more than needed. I don't remember how many links I took out of it. However it was more than adequate and a shorter chain might have worked. But if it's not long enough, buy another and get some links off it or see if an LBS has some matching links left over from one of their installs.

11 speed cassette should have an 11 speed chain.

The chain length has nothing to do with the need of a Road Link, that is determined by the derailleur cage size.

If using a mid cage GS derailleur with 50/34 front and 11/34 rear then a Roadlink will not be needed.

I'm using a GS derailleur with 50/34 front and 11/36 rear. It shifts fine without a Roadlink. I crosschain the crud out of it.

Any off the shelf chain will be long enough. The chain will need to be sized down to work properly. Start with the Big/Big + 2 method.


-Tim-

Yeah i just want to know how many links i need to buy to be on the safe side. I have seen some chains with 116 links and if those are the longest they come i could just buy those.
I`ve already determined i need a 10 speed chain for this setup, period. Since i`m ordering from overseas it`s better to get the show on the road sooner than later.

Yep that`s what i need to know. Prior to sizeing it, indeed. So i was wondering if 116 links is the longest they come. Sorry if i made myself unclear. I am using a 10 speed cassette.

The length of the offset between the two holes on the roadlink are all the extra length you might need in a chain. Not very much is it? So I'd not worry too much about it. Your options to get extra links are many if you think about it carefully. An LBS, another cycling friend or acquaintance, a bike coop, and etc. Will waiting for another to ship hurt your timeline if local sources aren't available. You could just buy two, but I think you'll wind up with a spare chain sitting around for years getting in the way and then being lost by the time you need it. At least that's what happens when I try to plan ahead with long term inventory.

They have measuring devises in Norway... No?
Nobody can answer your question, we don't have your bike.
Javascript Bicycle Chain Length Calculator
Javascript Bicycle Chain Length Calculator
Javascript Bicycle Chain Length Calculator
Javascript Bicycle Chain Length Calculator
Javascript Bicycle Chain Length Calculator

Nope, Norway sucks. We don`t have anything here. To be honest i don`t trust that converter in your link. Maybe because i don`t know exactly how to measure the chainstay accurately. An easy way out would be to let me know what the max links chains come in and just buy the set with the max. amount of links. I don`t have a new 10 speed chain i can use for checking the length. Since the frame is 48 cm maybe the chainstay length would be on the short side and maybe i should lift my fat ass out of this here recliner and do the maths, or at least try :)

Standard chains (114 or 116 links) long enough for road bikes- no problem.

A stretched-out comfort bike might push the limit.

I checked the chainstay and i basically just measured from CC of the quick link to the crankset CC and it came up as 42 cm. The result was 55 or 56 links depending on whether i typed in fixed chainstay length or adjustable chainstay length. I don`t know what the difference is. I have 50/34 and derailleur trx. I am however scrathing my head because the chain i am looking at says 116 links which is nowhere near the required number of links in the converter for one piece of chain. DOH :notamused:

Chain length- 116x1/2"=58"= 147cm

42cm x2=84cm + 1/2 chainring 30cm + 1/2 cog 16cm + RD takeup <10cm = 140cm= remove 5 or 6 links.

You'll be fine.

I got a wacky result from the linked chain calculator as well.

Forget about measuring and online calculators. You are overthinking it.

116 is enough for any mainstream bike with the gearing described. The only exceptions are weird designs and recumbents.

If it is a regular road bike then you will be fine.


-Tim-

Ya, forget about measuring anything... slap that puppy on.