Is this chain long enough?

G1032

Chain was sized by wrapping around both big rings while not fed through the rear derailleur and one full link added. I think it looks too small in the big big. Is the chain length ok??

Sized exactly as per this photo from Sheldon Brown's site




It also pretty much conforms to Shimano's method of the jockey wheels lining up vertically when chain is in big front, small back





But I can't help feeling that it looks a little too short in the big, big. I know I'll never be in big big, at least not intentionally, but does it look too small in the big big??

Idleater

to me it looks about 1 or 2 links too short

G1032

Idleater wrote: »

to me it looks about 1 or 2 links too short

That's what I'm thinking myself. I don't know how that can be though since it's sized correctly according to both Shimano and Sheldon!

Idleater

Have you the old chain that you replaced? If so, you can compare the two.

Is that a triple crankset or a compact?

G1032

Idleater wrote: »

Have you the old chain that you replaced? If so, you can compare the two.

Is that a triple crankset or a compact?

Old chain is from a standard 52/39 chainset
I just put on a compact 50/34.

Idleater

Right o :-)

In that case, if you have the quick links, just add in another link and see if it looks better.

Realistically you shouldn't be in the big big combo so you might be lucky

Limestone1

You should never be in that gear - google cross-chaining

G1032

Limestone1 wrote: »

You should never be in that gear - google cross-chaining

I know that and I'd never do it intentionally but it can happen all the same

devonp

in the same situation here
have new chain to match up with new 11-32 cassette
was looking at GCN you tube vid this morning and the guy measured as you did ( big-big w/o deraileurs) but said you should have a 2 link overlap.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWchudX-Tqs

nilhg

What does small-small look like, if the chain is too long that's where you'll run into trouble, big-big doesn't look too bad to me.

ford2600

Unless you cycle in dark a lot your unlikely to hit big/big. I'd never use two biggest at back. If you think you might stick in another link

On a wide cassette like 30/11 or the like your asking your derailleur to do a lot, especially if you have a short cage.

As general rule I'd like to have chain a little long, you'll probably do more damage with a chain too short

G1032

nilhg wrote: »

What does small-small look like, if the chain is too long that's where you'll run into trouble, big-big doesn't look too bad to me.

ford2600 wrote: »

Unless you cycle in dark a lot your unlikely to hit big/big. I'd never use two biggest at back. If you think you might stick in another link

On a wide cassette like 30/11 or the like your asking your derailleur to do a lot, especially if you have a short cage.

As general rule I'd like to have chain a little long, you'll probably do more damage with a chain too short

Ya. I stuck on another link and took it for a spin late yesterday evening. All OK. Not too long either. I can put a 12/30 on the back now and not have to worry about it. Cheers.

tomasrojo

If you're concerned the chain might be a little long now, put a bit of electrical tape along the top of the right chain stay to protect the paintwork. I don't think there's much else that can go wrong with a chain that's slightly too long.

crosstownk

It's hard to tell the size of your largest rear sprocket but depending on the size, Shimano list two ways of setting chain length. I've no idea what the difference in the final chain length is between the two methods.

Maybe you've already accounted for this, but just in case (see page 7 in the PDF attached).

Leroy42

Going to ask the question here rather than start a new thread as this is the closest match I could find.

I have a 50/34 front and 11/27 rear. I want to get a 30/12 for the rear for climbing and was wondering if I can do that with my current short cage and chain or do I need to get replacements?

Idleater

34->30 50->12 sounds a bit too much for a short cage to me.

G1032

Leroy42 wrote: »

Going to ask the question here rather than start a new thread as this is the closest match I could find.

I have a 50/34 front and 11/27 rear. I want to get a 30/12 for the rear for climbing and was wondering if I can do that with my current short cage and chain or do I need to get replacements?

I have changed before from a 52/39, 12/28 to a 30/12 on the rear with a short cage and had no issues. Kept same chain too.

Koobcam

Good article here from Leonard Zinn. he says that short cage Shimano derailleurs will work ok with a 32 tooth sprocket if you adjust the B screw (whatever that is-one of the two screws on the rear D presumably?)

Lumen

Koobcam wrote: »

if you adjust the B screw (whatever that is-one of the two screws on the rear D presumably?)

No, they're the limit screws (H and L). The B screw is separate.