Chain question

dvntie

So I have a compact chainset and running a 12-25 cassette, and i want to change to a 11-28 as I'm off to the mountains in Sep.
My question is what length of chain will I need for a compact and 11-28?
Thanks on advance

petethedrummer

This is how Shimano advise you to set the chain length for Tiagra (and I assume all ranges)

See Page 2: http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/techdocs/content/cycle/SI/TIAGRA/RD-4400/5TS0B_EN_v1_m56577569830607031.PDF

(This info should be in the manual for the chain but it's not, it's in the rear derailler manual).

petethedrummer

Chains pretty much come in one length and you have to cut them down using a chain tool. And different bikes have different geometries so noone can really advise on what number of links you need.

It is worth investing in a good chain tool. You need to put a fair bit of force through them to pop the pin. And a crappy tool will die after a few uses.

What groupset(gears) do you have?

Oh and your current chain might work, but if you are putting on a new cassette you should change your chain. To prevent premature wear on the cassette.

Raam

Assuming that it is not excessively worn or stretched then you probably won't need to touch the chain length. I swap cassettes of differing sizes all the time.

dvntie

Raam wrote: »

Assuming that it is not excessively worn or stretched then you probably won't need to touch the chain length. I swap cassettes of differing sizes all the time.

In running sram rival short cage and sram rival chainset too. current casette and chain are both 105 10 spd. I was going to change the chain along with the cassette for the reason stated above. There is no chain stretch yet as about 5500km on current cassette and chain. I have 3 decent chain breakers so ill be ok on that front.

petethedrummer

I would advise going for SRAM chains.

The powerlink adapters are very handy if you break a chain out on the road (happened me in a snow fall a few years ago). Also if you make a mess of the chain length (i.e. too long), you can remove the adapter, cut the chain and pop on another one in jig time.

I don't know how SRAM do chain lengths. Should be googleable.

Raam

Those SRAM 10 speed links are single use (they close once and don't open) but 9 speed can be opened and closed. Last time I checked anyway.

dvntie

petethedrummer wrote: »

I would advise going for SRAM chains.

The powerlink adapters are very handy if you break a chain out on the road (happened me in a snow fall a few years ago). Also if you make a mess of the chain length (i.e. too long), you can remove the adapter, cut the chain and pop on another one in jig time.

I don't know how SRAM do chain lengths. Should be googleable.

The plan is to go for the pg 1070 cassette and pcb 1071 chain. The chain comes in 114 link and 120 links options. I'm assuming the 120 is for an MTB setup, would I be correct? I have a spare few power link connectors but would prefer to keep those as spares in my seat bag

Konkers

Raam wrote: »

Assuming that it is not excessively worn or stretched then you probably won't need to touch the chain length. I swap cassettes of differing sizes all the time.

I was going to ask the same question as the OP but going from 11-28 to 12-28 (Ultegra on one and tiagra on the other).

Swapping out cassettes but not chains will make no no difference to shifting performance. Is that right?

Raam

Konkers wrote: »

I was going to ask the same question as the OP but going from 11-28 to 12-28 (Ultegra on one and tiagra on the other).

Swapping out cassettes but not chains will make no no difference to shifting performance. Is that right?

Might be a small tweak to make, sure do the change and see what happens.

Raam

dvntie wrote: »

The plan is to go for the pg 1070 cassette and pcb 1071 chain. The chain comes in 114 link and 120 links options. I'm assuming the 120 is for an MTB setup, would I be correct? I have a spare few power link connectors but would prefer to keep those as spares in my seat bag

If in doubt, get the longer one. You can make a long chain shorter but you can't make a short one longer.

Look at me answering all the questions!

petethedrummer

Raam wrote: »

Those SRAM 10 speed links are single use (they close once and don't open) but 9 speed can be opened and closed. Last time I checked anyway.

sh!t yet, i'm still stuck in 9-speed. 10 speed pffft, where will it all end eh? 11 speed? Not in my lifetime. the public will never buy it.

dvntie

Raam wrote: »

If in doubt, get the longer one. You can make a long chain shorter but you can't make a short one longer.

Look at me answering all the questions!

Good call i think that's the way ill go alright
Thanks