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Help Shorten chain length from 40t to 32t crankset

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Help Shorten chain length from 40t to 32t crankset

Old 02-23-20, 09:43 AM
  #1  
Toadmeister
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Help Shorten chain length from 40t to 32t crankset

I got a 1x11, 11-42t cassette with a 40t crankset today. SRAM Apex 1 long cage deraileur if that matters. Going to downsize the crankset to 32t for gravel and hills.

How many links do I need to remove?
How to calculate?
Anything else I need to know? Because knowing is half the battle!
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Old 02-23-20, 09:48 AM
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The minimum increment to remove is 1 inch, which reduces the wrap capacity by 4 teeth, so you should be able to remove 2 inches.
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Old 02-23-20, 09:52 AM
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DaveSSS gave you the correct information but before shortening the chain, be sure the current length is adequate to all shifting into "big-big", i.e. 40x42. This should be a given as this is a 1X drivetrain but it's worth checking.
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Old 02-23-20, 10:00 AM
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I'd just size it so you don't have any "droop" when on the smallest cog.
It could probably go shorter, but why not spread the load over more links?
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Old 02-23-20, 10:15 AM
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Thanks, I’ll buy a new chain right away too.

question. Should I get another SRAM 1110 (came with bike for Apex 1 drivestrain) or upgrade to something a little better? SRAM 1130? Other recommendations?
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Old 02-23-20, 10:24 AM
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Originally Posted by Bill Kapaun
I'd just size it so you don't have any "droop" when on the smallest cog.
It could probably go shorter, but why not spread the load over more links?
Exactly.
I've experimented with installing a full length chain, w/o removing any links at all.
It functioned just fine even with massive droop on the small/small combo (which is not a combo you use anyway).
Only a minor annoyance was the sound of loose lower segment rattling on bumps, (in the few gears where there was slack).
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Old 02-23-20, 11:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Shimagnolo
Exactly.
I've experimented with installing a full length chain, w/o removing any links at all.
It functioned just fine even with massive droop on the small/small combo (which is not a combo you use anyway).
Only a minor annoyance was the sound of loose lower segment rattling on bumps, (in the few gears where there was slack).
OP doesn't have a small/small.
It's a 1X.
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Old 02-23-20, 11:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Bill Kapaun
OP doesn't have a small/small.
It's a 1X.
A 1x11
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