Shimano 2X GRX - Chain length Question
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 113
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times
in
13 Posts
Shimano 2X GRX - Chain length Question
Hello,
I am working on putting together and adjusting a Shimano 2X GRX system. According to the Shimano documentation for the rear derailleur they are specifying a 4-6 link overlap in the big-big combination. That didn't work out... too loose on the little-little combination. Below are photos of the current state with about 3 links of overlap.
The rear derailleur link will actually fit in 2 positions. The current position is per the install instructions but it will also fit the hanger mostly vertical. So is the chain still too long? I am hesitant to keep taking links out two at a time as I don't want to end up with a chain too short to go into the big-big combination
On a separate but related question the front shifter appears to be a 4 position lever. Is the "L-trim" (bottom) position not used or is it just not adjusted properly yet? Again I followed the instructions in the documentation.
Thanks,
Steve

Little-Littler Combination

Big-Big Overlap

Big-Big Combination
I am working on putting together and adjusting a Shimano 2X GRX system. According to the Shimano documentation for the rear derailleur they are specifying a 4-6 link overlap in the big-big combination. That didn't work out... too loose on the little-little combination. Below are photos of the current state with about 3 links of overlap.
The rear derailleur link will actually fit in 2 positions. The current position is per the install instructions but it will also fit the hanger mostly vertical. So is the chain still too long? I am hesitant to keep taking links out two at a time as I don't want to end up with a chain too short to go into the big-big combination
On a separate but related question the front shifter appears to be a 4 position lever. Is the "L-trim" (bottom) position not used or is it just not adjusted properly yet? Again I followed the instructions in the documentation.
Thanks,
Steve

Little-Littler Combination

Big-Big Overlap

Big-Big Combination
#2
ignominious poltroon
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 2,329
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1328 Post(s)
Liked 1,929 Times
in
1,064 Posts
This has a good description. Look toward the bottom of the page:
https://bettershifting.com/installat...and-direction/
https://bettershifting.com/installat...and-direction/
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 113
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times
in
13 Posts
This has a good description. Look toward the bottom of the page:
https://bettershifting.com/installat...and-direction/
https://bettershifting.com/installat...and-direction/
My setup is quick link +4. I also think I found my problem... The infamous "B" screw was still too loose to tighten the chain in the L-L combination.Based on the previous photo I don't think that I need to take any more links out. Do you?
Thanks,
Steve
#4
ignominious poltroon
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 2,329
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1328 Post(s)
Liked 1,929 Times
in
1,064 Posts
It is a great website, and made setting up my wife's bike with Di2 much more straightforward.
I used his instructions for setting up her chain, and here is how it looks:

I used his instructions for setting up her chain, and here is how it looks:


#5
ignominious poltroon
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 2,329
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1328 Post(s)
Liked 1,929 Times
in
1,064 Posts
I think the graphics are from Shimano. But this site is much more user-friendly for the most part (I think he added the GRX stuff on as a revision, so a little less so in this particular case).
I now remember that the B-screw adjustment was critical and I even made a post here (somewhere) asking if I had it wrong and the derailleur hanger required a direct mount (it didn't).
That's an 11-36T cassette, in case it looks odd.
I should add that it shifts flawlessly, and it sure looks about the same as what you have. I would not take any more links out. The default Di2 setting prevents you from going into the smallest and penultimate cogs on the cassette, so my guess is they would advise the same shifting pattern for conventional cable shifting.
I now remember that the B-screw adjustment was critical and I even made a post here (somewhere) asking if I had it wrong and the derailleur hanger required a direct mount (it didn't).
That's an 11-36T cassette, in case it looks odd.
I should add that it shifts flawlessly, and it sure looks about the same as what you have. I would not take any more links out. The default Di2 setting prevents you from going into the smallest and penultimate cogs on the cassette, so my guess is they would advise the same shifting pattern for conventional cable shifting.
Last edited by Polaris OBark; 11-25-22 at 09:12 PM.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 8,941
Bikes: 85 team Miyata (modern 5800 105) , '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 94 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1900 Post(s)
Liked 1,745 Times
in
1,042 Posts
I like the small/small method....
I have used it with modern 50/34 11-32 setups and vintage 52/39 12/28 setups
have not tried with GRX, but don't see why it would not, if gives the greatest possible chain length while avoiding bib/big not working, which is key
have not tried with GRX, but don't see why it would not, if gives the greatest possible chain length while avoiding bib/big not working, which is key
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or whole biked 57,58)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or whole biked 57,58)
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 8,941
Bikes: 85 team Miyata (modern 5800 105) , '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 94 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1900 Post(s)
Liked 1,745 Times
in
1,042 Posts
what deraillers, crank and cassette are being used?
from what I can tell 2x needs the RX810 which is 34 teeth max rear cassette and 11 too min rear, with a wrap capacity of 40 and max front cog difference of 17 do if OP exceeds this where will be issues
the RX812 works for 1x11 setups not 2 x
from what I can tell 2x needs the RX810 which is 34 teeth max rear cassette and 11 too min rear, with a wrap capacity of 40 and max front cog difference of 17 do if OP exceeds this where will be issues
the RX812 works for 1x11 setups not 2 x
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or whole biked 57,58)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or whole biked 57,58)
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 113
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times
in
13 Posts
what deraillers, crank and cassette are being used?
from what I can tell 2x needs the RX810 which is 34 teeth max rear cassette and 11 too min rear, with a wrap capacity of 40 and max front cog difference of 17 do if OP exceeds this where will be issues
the RX812 works for 1x11 setups not 2 x
from what I can tell 2x needs the RX810 which is 34 teeth max rear cassette and 11 too min rear, with a wrap capacity of 40 and max front cog difference of 17 do if OP exceeds this where will be issues
the RX812 works for 1x11 setups not 2 x
Likes For Steve_sr: