Measure twice, cut once

rtmie · 10-09-2015 5:14am #1

First time replacing chain myself. Have ordered replacement shimano chain and a kmc split link for joining.
Watching GCN videos they say use old chain as measure of required length for new.
I assume that as I am adding split link I need to make new chain one link shorter than old which just has pin join.
Seeking reassurance before I trim new chain!!

benneca1 · 10-09-2015 5:19am

Thats it in a nutshell

Raam · 10-09-2015 6:42am

Just make the chain entirely out of split links. Problem solved.

H.E. Pennypacker · 10-09-2015 7:56am

Remember that the split link is designed to fit on the narrower (inner) link. Its not just a case of counting links.

cython · 10-09-2015 8:00am

Basically if you're measuring against the old one, when the old one is split, there will be a set of outer plates at one end, and a set of inner plates at the other - on the new chain, the quick link will take the place of the set of outer plates, so the new chain when cut should have inner plates at both ends, and the joining link goes between them

Koobcam · 10-09-2015 8:04am

Just did this last night with an Ultegra chain-those Shimano connecting pins are dead handy as they come out quite easily with a chain breaker and then you just nip off the open end of the chain, leaving inner plates at both ends. As suggested by GCN, I'd always lay the new chain against the old to determine length.

Koobcam · 10-09-2015 8:07am

Raam wrote: »

Just make the chain entirely out of split links. Problem solved.

Expensive though, I was in Cyclesuperstore yesterday and they want €6.99 for BBB links. So, that would run you just over €800 for a 116 link chain...

rtmie · 10-09-2015 1:00pm

Raam wrote: »

Just make the chain entirely out of split links. Problem solved.

Let me see, If I can just find this in the press

benneca1 · 10-09-2015 1:53pm

Talk about complicating a simple task

Cut it to length if it is too long still take out another link if it is too short tough. Buy another chain and cut it correctly next time.

jon1981 · 10-09-2015 1:59pm

There's room for a degree of inaccuracy right? You can be a link or two out and the derailleur will take up the slack, assuming you're not over extending the derailleur. I just measured up the new chain against the old chain.

cython · 10-09-2015 2:14pm

jon1981 wrote: »

There's room for a degree of inaccuracy right? You can be a link or two out and the derailleur will take up the slack, assuming you're not over extending the derailleur. I just measured up the new chain against the old chain.

Depends a lot on how broad a range of gears you have. For example, I've a canyon that came with 50-34 and 11-32 - while I wouldn't be intentionally cross chaining, I'd say that 50x32 is at the limit of the stretch in my rear mech, and similarly 34x11 is about as much slack as it could take up - a couple of links (which is actually an inch) either way could actually be outside what the bike can handle. I don't really want to risk anything testing the theory, mind!

Measure twice, cut once

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