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Will I need a longer chain if I change rear cassette from 11-32 to 11-34?

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Will I need a longer chain if I change rear cassette from 11-32 to 11-34?

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Old 08-19-23, 09:37 AM
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Spearmin
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Will I need a longer chain if I change rear cassette from 11-32 to 11-34?

Hello,
I’m looking to change the chain and cassette on my 9-speed touring bike. I want to change the cassette from 11-32 to 11-34. I would like to know whether I can measure the new chain off the old one or will it be too short?

Thanks


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Old 08-19-23, 10:43 AM
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maddog34
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shift the bike to the largest front sprocket and largest rear sprocket... now try to fold two links into an s-curve... now try to fold FOUR links into an s-curve.

if you achieved the 4 link folding, there will be enough chain to handle the new larger rear gear.... if not, there will possibly be enough chain to handle the larger rear gear.

there is no way for someone to "know" if YOUR modification will work without pictures of the bike shifted into the large/large combination.
You didn't even say WHICH bike we're supposed to speculate about.....
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Old 08-19-23, 10:49 AM
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Bill Kapaun
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On paper, you'll need 1/2" longer or 1/2 link SET. (you can only make 1" increments)
Put the current chain on Big:Big and see if you have enough excess.
This presumes your current chain is not SEVERELY worn.
You want at least 1".
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Old 08-19-23, 11:32 AM
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smd4
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Man, I’ve missed that picture.
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Old 08-19-23, 11:41 AM
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andrewclaus
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Look up the part number of the derailleur and find its cog size limits and max capacity. Wolf Tooth Components makes derailleur links to solve some problems, at a cost of about $30.

We see quite a few donated bikes at the non-profit shop with over-sized cassettes, and many of them just don't work right in the extremes. We usually just change the cassette to a smaller one. We have quite a few spare 34T cassettes in the bin now.
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Old 08-19-23, 02:41 PM
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KerryIrons
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Originally Posted by Spearmin
Hello,
I’m looking to change the chain and cassette on my 9-speed touring bike. I want to change the cassette from 11-32 to 11-34. I would like to know whether I can measure the new chain off the old one or will it be too short?
If your current setup is right at the limit (unlikely, but only you can actually see your bike to make that determination) then you would need to add a link.
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Old 08-19-23, 05:15 PM
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dedhed
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Size the new chain to the new stuff.

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