I just changed the front chainring from 46 to 42 (back is 16) - is the wheel too far back in the track ends? I don't want to have to shorten the chain if possible, because I want to be able to switch back to the bigger ring once I get over a knee injury in a few months. I also don't want to do anything dangerous. Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks in advance for any advice.

I've always heard as long as the bolt is completely inside, however, I can't swear that it's safe. Chances are it at least won't go back much further, not enough to fall out.

Precisely my thought.

By using a half-link, your chain may still be able to accommodate both of those ratios and put your axle a little deeper in the dropout when using the 42t ring.

I think you'll be okay as it is, though.

Thanks for the replies - I just want to make sure I'm not doing anything too dumb. After posting I remembered I had a surly tuggnut which I just added, so hopefully that will provide an extra measure of security. The chain is pretty much perfect for the 46x16 ratio, so I want to not mess with it as long as it's safe in the set-up I just changed to.

I've raced with my wheel set like that and it was fine. It's OK.

You are going to die.

+1

Whether it'll happen in 50 years or not, is another question. However, it won't be because your wheel is too far back in the track ends!

I'm thinking quality matters. Carelton, not sure about what you were riding, but I'll assume it had thick and hard dropouts.

So, if it is thick and hard, you can tighten your nuts to the tip and ride with confidence.

But if you are using low quality parts, you'll squeeze your nuts down on some flimsy material and things might go bad for you.

Just thinking out loud here.

You could always pull a link and put it back in later.

Mine looked like that and I felt iffy about it so I half-linked it.

I wouldn't worry one bit. Looking at where the nuts are contacting the dropouts, there would be barely any more of the nut in contact with the frame at any other point along the dropouts. If it was going to move from there, it would move from anywhere.

my 2c

Now if this was a brakeless conversion with forward facing dropouts I'd be scared if the axle was that close to the edge! I think your fine

I got too lazy in the chain approach I think, as the wheel has been solid and hasn't moved but the chain fell off a mile into my first ride, presumably because the chain was too loose.

Why not just spend $10 on a second chain cut to size. Then if you use the bigger chain ring in the future, use the previous chain. $10 solution.