converting from standard to compact crank
05-20-10 | 12:34 PM
#1
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: southern California
Bikes: Pegoretti Marcelo,Waterford 2200,Trek 5500,Airborne Mahattan Project,Scott S30,Trek 360,Trek Livestrong flat bar, DBR mt bike
converting from standard to compact crank
How many links should I remove to change from a 53-39 crank to a 50-34? Thanks.
05-20-10 | 12:38 PM
#2
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Oxnard, CA
Bikes: 2009 Fuji Roubaix RC; 2011 Fuji Cross 2.0; '92 Diamond Back Ascent EX
As many as it takes to get the chain to the right length. There is no way to know if the chain was sized properly to begin with so removing a set number of links could leave you with a chain that is improperly sized.
05-20-10 | 12:42 PM
#3
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 390
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From: Central PA
you really don't need to remove any. while extra links mean a few grams extra weight, less tension in the drivetrain means less friction. I have a book by Eddie B from back in the 80s where he says that for time trials, his guys would make sure to have a little slack in the chain for the very reason of decreasing the load on the rear deraileur springs and thus decreasing friction loss in the drivetrain
so its up to you, but I never took any links out when I threw a compact on any of my bikes
as always, YMMV
so its up to you, but I never took any links out when I threw a compact on any of my bikes
as always, YMMV
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