Bafang on Surly Grappler?
09-22-23, 10:01 PM
#1
hello
Thread Starter
Bafang on Surly Grappler?
Thinking of installing a mid-drive kit on my Surly Ghost Grappler…. Would I run into issues? BB is 73mm, rear axle is 148mm boost, running a 1x12 XT drivetrain. Can the narrow, 12-speed chain handle the additional torque? …and is the chain compatible with the supplied chainring? Would I run into chain line issues? Any thoughts or advice appreciated!
09-22-23, 11:44 PM
#2
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"Boost" just moves the crankset out to the traditional 3x, third ring position and centers the cassette ~5mm outboard accordingly. In Other Words as long as the 1x chainring you intend to use is approximately 50mm-ish from the bicycle centerline, you'll be fine.
(Off the top of my head...I welcome any factual correction.)
On a related note: The more power you have, the less gears you need. 12 speed stuff can be very pricey.
8,9,10 speed stuff is significantly cheaper and just as good if not better than the latest "new" in some respects. It's not necessarily about the strength of the chain, but everything else the chain interacts with. The chain is fine. It withstands Pro-Tour professional athletes with aplomb. It's the skinny individual cogs on an aluminum freehub body, for example, that can present issues. Chain life span can be a concern because your average chain tension will be higher and excessive wear can/will occure on the smallest 2-3 cogs owing to e-bike/amateur cyclist cadence. You don't have a dedicated maintenance mechanic to do daily chain waxings either...A 9 speed cassette and a couple of spare position 1 cogs could save you an appreciable chunk of pocket change.
Just my $0.02
(Off the top of my head...I welcome any factual correction.)
On a related note: The more power you have, the less gears you need. 12 speed stuff can be very pricey.
8,9,10 speed stuff is significantly cheaper and just as good if not better than the latest "new" in some respects. It's not necessarily about the strength of the chain, but everything else the chain interacts with. The chain is fine. It withstands Pro-Tour professional athletes with aplomb. It's the skinny individual cogs on an aluminum freehub body, for example, that can present issues. Chain life span can be a concern because your average chain tension will be higher and excessive wear can/will occure on the smallest 2-3 cogs owing to e-bike/amateur cyclist cadence. You don't have a dedicated maintenance mechanic to do daily chain waxings either...A 9 speed cassette and a couple of spare position 1 cogs could save you an appreciable chunk of pocket change.
Just my $0.02
Last edited by base2; 09-23-23 at 12:10 AM.
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