Changing cassette and how long of a chain
06-09-22, 11:31 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Changing cassette and how long of a chain
Hey folks. I am changing out a 12-26 cassette on my Cannondale Synapse. Triple ring (50/39/30). Im going with an 11-32t cassette for that added punch getting up hills. I'm wondering how many extra links my chain should be when I put on the new one. 9 speed KMC is what I'm using. Any helpful ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.
06-09-22, 11:39 PM
#2
Really Old Senior Member
On paper, you need 1-1/2" more.
Use this method on BIG:BIG to see how much extra you currently have.
You want 1-2" "slack".
Use this method on BIG:BIG to see how much extra you currently have.
You want 1-2" "slack".
06-10-22, 03:34 PM
#3
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Hey folks. I am changing out a 12-26 cassette on my Cannondale Synapse. Triple ring (50/39/30). Im going with an 11-32t cassette for that added punch getting up hills. I'm wondering how many extra links my chain should be when I put on the new one. 9 speed KMC is what I'm using. Any helpful ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.
06-10-22, 10:32 PM
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Current RD is a Shimano sora. I think its a GS (Midsize). No markings so its really tough to tell. How can I know for sure? If its an SS will it handle the 11-32t? I've been researching like crazy but never seem to find a definitive answer. Its a 2013 Synapse Sora 7. I would also like to replace the shift cables but can't find much info on the shifters either and how the rear shift cable sits inside the shifter. The housing comes out the side, not under the bar tape.
Last edited by Hackman61; 06-10-22 at 10:37 PM.
06-10-22, 11:00 PM
#5
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With a triple, you probably have the medium cage, which seems to handle up to a 43 chainwrap and a max cog of 34. If you want to be sure, the number should be on the underside of the parallelogram and is often hard to see while on the bike..
https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/produ...-R3000-GS.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-m...eur-model.html
https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/produ...-R3000-GS.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-m...eur-model.html
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06-11-22, 02:39 PM
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Yup. If your chain is on the tight side now, add 4 links (2 complete pairs of links for 2 inches). Otherwise add 2 links (one pair of links for 1 inch). For many years, Campy recommended the small-small method of chain sizing: just remove any slack when the chain is on the small chain ring and small cassette cog. This works fine as long as you are not exceeding the wrap capacity of the rear derailleur. If you are doing that, then use the big-big method and accept that the chain will hang slack when on the small chain ring and the smallest few cogs on the cassette.
