Chain length for dummies
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 5,642
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3431 Post(s)
Liked 2,827 Times
in
1,723 Posts
I prefer the Park Tool method which is to use 2 rivets. It’s less ambiguous. Picture stolen from that article
I'm not sure why people have to make bikes the most complicated machines on the planet. They aren't.
Bike chains aren't rocket science. One link, two links, half links, two half-links, full link, the "Park method"...Really? Unless you're using a quick link, just make sure the wide end fits on the narrow end. Put a rivet through and call it a day.
#27
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,274
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6147 Post(s)
Liked 4,093 Times
in
2,325 Posts
I'm not sure why people have to make bikes the most complicated machines on the planet. They aren't.
Bike chains aren't rocket science. One link, two links, half links, two half-links, full link, the "Park method"...Really? Unless you're using a quick link, just make sure the wide end fits on the narrow end. Put a rivet through and call it a day.
And modern chains should never have a rivet redriven. They aren’t designed for that anymore.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 5,642
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3431 Post(s)
Liked 2,827 Times
in
1,723 Posts
#29
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,274
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6147 Post(s)
Liked 4,093 Times
in
2,325 Posts
What do you mean “someone could count two rivets from the same side plate?” What is the “same side plate”? The picture I attached is fairly clear where you start to count from and where you end at. It even fits in your idea of keeping things simple. It’s a whole lot better than measuring the chainstay and doing a bunch of math with charts and derivatives and chainwheel angles.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 5,642
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3431 Post(s)
Liked 2,827 Times
in
1,723 Posts
Seems to me, when it comes to sizing a chain, it's intuitive to some, but akin to differential calculus to others. I guess I just have to accept that.
Absolutely agree.
#31
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,274
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6147 Post(s)
Liked 4,093 Times
in
2,325 Posts
You are putting the wrong emPHASis on the wrong sylLABle. The “side plate” isn’t the problem. The “same” connected with side plate is what I don’t understand. Again, the picture is clear where you start from and where you end. I find it very helpful, as do most people I explain it to during mechanic’s classes and while working in the shop.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 5,642
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3431 Post(s)
Liked 2,827 Times
in
1,723 Posts
You are putting the wrong emPHASis on the wrong sylLABle. The “side plate” isn’t the problem. The “same” connected with side plate is what I don’t understand. Again, the picture is clear where you start from and where you end. I find it very helpful, as do most people I explain it to during mechanic’s classes and while working in the shop.
If I had to explain chains and how to count rivets from any particular staring point to any aspiring mechanics, they would no longer be aspiring mechanics in my shop.
#33
Over the hill
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 24,341
Bikes: Giant Defy, Giant Revolt
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 988 Post(s)
Liked 1,186 Times
in
681 Posts
It sounds like the point here is that a picture is worth a thousand words.
__________________
It's like riding a bicycle
It's like riding a bicycle
#34
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,274
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6147 Post(s)
Liked 4,093 Times
in
2,325 Posts
Which doesn’t stop some people from requiring the 1000 word explanation of something rather simple to understand.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#35
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,274
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6147 Post(s)
Liked 4,093 Times
in
2,325 Posts
Jeeze you don’t think much of your aspiring mechanics, do you? How do you tell people how to determine a proper chain length?
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 5,642
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3431 Post(s)
Liked 2,827 Times
in
1,723 Posts
#37
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,274
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6147 Post(s)
Liked 4,093 Times
in
2,325 Posts
Hummm…Let’s see. I recall someone saying something. Oh, yeah here it is
I can tell someone how to size a chain simply before they could even find the manual. It’s not that hard.
To paraphrase a (in)famous American saying: Those who can teach, teach. Those who can’t teach are grumpy old cusses who will tell you “learn for yourself”.
I can tell someone how to size a chain simply before they could even find the manual. It’s not that hard.
To paraphrase a (in)famous American saying: Those who can teach, teach. Those who can’t teach are grumpy old cusses who will tell you “learn for yourself”.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Last edited by cyccommute; 07-22-22 at 04:54 PM.
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 5,642
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3431 Post(s)
Liked 2,827 Times
in
1,723 Posts
If reading the manufacturer’s instructions on how to properly size a chain for a given derailleur is too difficult or time consuming, I’d tell that person to make the chain length short enough so that it doesn’t sag, and tensions the rear derailleur slightly in small rear/small front, but long enough to go around big/big without extending the RD cage to its limit.
#39
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,274
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6147 Post(s)
Liked 4,093 Times
in
2,325 Posts
If reading the manufacturer’s instructions on how to properly size a chain for a given derailleur is too difficult or time consuming, I’d tell that person to make the chain length short enough so that it doesn’t sag, and tensions the rear derailleur slightly in small rear/small front, but long enough to go around big/big without extending the RD cage to its limit.
SRAM is a bit more complicated
Wrap the chain around the large chainring (for 2x and 3x systems) and largest cassette cog.
For full suspension bicycles, add one inner
link and one outer link where the chain starts to overlap. For hardtail bicycles, add two inner links and two outer links where the chain starts to overlap.
For full suspension bicycles, add one inner
link and one outer link where the chain starts to overlap. For hardtail bicycles, add two inner links and two outer links where the chain starts to overlap.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 5,642
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3431 Post(s)
Liked 2,827 Times
in
1,723 Posts
Dude, what do you want? That’s not what the manual says for MY derailleur. ‘Cause THEY’RE DIFFERENT! So if you’re not going to use the manual for your particular RD, then my advice is NOT GUESS, but size the chain on the bike.
But go ahead: teach your “aspiring mechanics” to count links, run internet formulas, divide by the square of the root, use two small screwdrivers and any other methods you deem simple enough for your non-reading mechanics to comprehend. Geeze…
But go ahead: teach your “aspiring mechanics” to count links, run internet formulas, divide by the square of the root, use two small screwdrivers and any other methods you deem simple enough for your non-reading mechanics to comprehend. Geeze…
#41
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,274
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6147 Post(s)
Liked 4,093 Times
in
2,325 Posts
I’m not the one guessing. I use a method that works for every bike I’ve ever installed a chain on…and I’ve worked on thousands of bicycles.
But go ahead: teach your “aspiring mechanics” to count links, run internet formulas, divide by the square of the root, use two small screwdrivers and any other methods you deem simple enough for your non-reading mechanics to comprehend. Geeze…
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#42
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 220
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 142 Post(s)
Liked 34 Times
in
26 Posts
Watched a few youtube videos explaining how to measure the correct chain link. Got it. Then found online chain length calculators. Makes sense too. But now I totally confused.
So, assuming I know my bike's chain stay...
So, assuming I know my bike's chain stay...
- Do I measure the length on my bike or do I simply set the number of links exactly as recommended by calculators
- Also, this calculator sometimes comes up with odd number of links. Do I round up or down to make it even?
The calculator gave me result that at is longer than what I need after measuring.
I guess the main reason is that chainstays specs for my bike are quoted for a larger frame size than what I am using. I had to shorten the chain by two links compared to the calculator.
My takeaways: measuring always works, calculator only works if correct specifications can be found or measured.
#43
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 5,642
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3431 Post(s)
Liked 2,827 Times
in
1,723 Posts
#44
Over the hill
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 24,341
Bikes: Giant Defy, Giant Revolt
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 988 Post(s)
Liked 1,186 Times
in
681 Posts
Answering my own question after changing my cranks/chainrings.
The calculator gave me result that at is longer than what I need after measuring.
I guess the main reason is that chainstays specs for my bike are quoted for a larger frame size than what I am using. I had to shorten the chain by two links compared to the calculator.
My takeaways: measuring always works, calculator only works if correct specifications can be found or measured.
The calculator gave me result that at is longer than what I need after measuring.
I guess the main reason is that chainstays specs for my bike are quoted for a larger frame size than what I am using. I had to shorten the chain by two links compared to the calculator.
My takeaways: measuring always works, calculator only works if correct specifications can be found or measured.
__________________
It's like riding a bicycle
It's like riding a bicycle
Likes For urbanknight:
#45
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,274
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6147 Post(s)
Liked 4,093 Times
in
2,325 Posts
I have read manuals for chains, front derailers, and rear derailers. That’s how I know that chain sizing isn’t in the derailer manuals. It’s also how I know that the chain manuals say to size the chain in the big/big combinations and add 2 rivets.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#46
senior member
Here's a video with 3 methods explained by a jolly good follow :
#47
Senior Member
Sigh.. so much angst..
Here is the only safe and reliable approach: wrap new chain tight directly around the big-big cogs. Determine the tightest possible way of connecting the chain, and then add one inch (2 links) of chain.
I volunteer at a high-volume big-city bike co-op. If we used either of the following approaches:
We do see drivetrains with (modified) triple cranksets, and where someone has retrofitted a pie-plate cassette (11-40 teeth or bigger) onto a bike with a mid-cage derailleur. Of course, everyone needs a gear range of 20-200 gear inches.
Here is the only safe and reliable approach: wrap new chain tight directly around the big-big cogs. Determine the tightest possible way of connecting the chain, and then add one inch (2 links) of chain.
I volunteer at a high-volume big-city bike co-op. If we used either of the following approaches:
- Size based on the old chain
- Size based on wrapping around the small cogs front and rear.
We do see drivetrains with (modified) triple cranksets, and where someone has retrofitted a pie-plate cassette (11-40 teeth or bigger) onto a bike with a mid-cage derailleur. Of course, everyone needs a gear range of 20-200 gear inches.
#48
senior member
Sigh.. so much angst..
Here is the only safe and reliable approach: wrap new chain tight directly around the big-big cogs. Determine the tightest possible way of connecting the chain, and then add one inch (2 links) of chain.
I volunteer at a high-volume big-city bike co-op. If we used either of the following approaches:
We do see drivetrains with (modified) triple cranksets, and where someone has retrofitted a pie-plate cassette (11-40 teeth or bigger) onto a bike with a mid-cage derailleur. Of course, everyone needs a gear range of 20-200 gear inches.
Here is the only safe and reliable approach: wrap new chain tight directly around the big-big cogs. Determine the tightest possible way of connecting the chain, and then add one inch (2 links) of chain.
I volunteer at a high-volume big-city bike co-op. If we used either of the following approaches:
- Size based on the old chain
- Size based on wrapping around the small cogs front and rear.
We do see drivetrains with (modified) triple cranksets, and where someone has retrofitted a pie-plate cassette (11-40 teeth or bigger) onto a bike with a mid-cage derailleur. Of course, everyone needs a gear range of 20-200 gear inches.
#49
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 5,642
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3431 Post(s)
Liked 2,827 Times
in
1,723 Posts
Dura Ace Rear Derailleur Manual
The CN-7700 instructions don't address chain length. That's what the RD-7700 manual linked above is for. Nowhere in that manual is there any mention big/big plus 2 rivets.
#50
Full Member
I'm curious if anyone has compared the different methods to see if the result differs?
Suddenly I can hardly wait for the next chain to stretch beyond spec!!! So far I think we have the following methods:
1. Match the number of links/full links/half links/rivets (whatever your nomenclature) of the old chain, which may have been sized by one of the following.
2. Big-big plus two links/two half links/one full link/one inch/two rivets (again, whatever your nomenclature) with chain NOT routed through rear derailleur.
3. Small-small, chain routed through derailleurs, with enough tension on derailleur cage to take it off its maximum take up.
4. Big chainring-small cassette cog, chain routed through derailleurs, rear derailleur cage pulled to vertical position.
5. Mathematical formula which I'm too lazy to recite and is my least favorite right now. So concrete. Where's the art?
I believe the caveat for at least some of these methods is that the largest cassette cog cannot be more than 36? And of course I have a number of RD manuals to read to see if Shimano has been consistent in their methods. I'm totally Shimano except for a couple of old Suntours. I wonder if they had manuals?
Suddenly I can hardly wait for the next chain to stretch beyond spec!!! So far I think we have the following methods:
1. Match the number of links/full links/half links/rivets (whatever your nomenclature) of the old chain, which may have been sized by one of the following.
2. Big-big plus two links/two half links/one full link/one inch/two rivets (again, whatever your nomenclature) with chain NOT routed through rear derailleur.
3. Small-small, chain routed through derailleurs, with enough tension on derailleur cage to take it off its maximum take up.
4. Big chainring-small cassette cog, chain routed through derailleurs, rear derailleur cage pulled to vertical position.
5. Mathematical formula which I'm too lazy to recite and is my least favorite right now. So concrete. Where's the art?
I believe the caveat for at least some of these methods is that the largest cassette cog cannot be more than 36? And of course I have a number of RD manuals to read to see if Shimano has been consistent in their methods. I'm totally Shimano except for a couple of old Suntours. I wonder if they had manuals?