Chain Length Question. Attention all mechanics!

Me said:

Hi, can someone give me some advice for setting up a new shimano chain on a buddy's mtb?

I've always used the medthod of putting the new chain up on the big front ring and the big rear cog
and then feeding through the deriallers and bringing the chain together as tight as I could and
from that point adding a link so that gear combo was theorectally usable -though I never actually
would shift into it.

OK heres the prob,

My buddys got a new deore 44 t front chainring and a 32 rear cog and an xt long mech.

But when I use the above method I get loads of extra chain when I'm in the small / small combo.
Enough chain slack that in that gear combo that the chain drags around the mech as there isn't
any tension.

So my quesstion is, which way is correct? Should I lock out the big to big combo by shortening the
chain or will there always be loads of slack in the small / small combo?

Give me some advice please! Cheers,

are you using a long-cage rear derailleur? - Ъ×

dax said:

Quoted message said:

So my quesstion is, which way is correct? Should I lock out the big to big

combo by shortening the chain or will there always be loads of slack in the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

small / small combo?

I would use the method that insures not wrecking the drivetrain. I always run enough chain to use
the large-large combination. There's no real reason to use the small-small combination so I don't
worry about that. As you move up from the smallest cog where does the chain come under tension?
second or third cog? I'd make that my limit when in the granny gear. The small-small really crosses
up the chain. This assumes a long cage derailleur in proper working order.

Pete Geurds Douglassville, PA

no-<< But when I use the above method I get loads of extra chain when I'm in the small / small
combo. Enough chain slack that in that gear combo that the chain drags around the mech as there
isn't any tension.

Enough chain for big big combo? Is it really tight or can ya take out a link or two?

Using a sram snap link really helps this process...

Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St. Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535 vecchios.comvecchios.comOpen ↗ "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

Yes, I'm using a Long cage Derailler and it seems to pick up tension around the Third cog in
the back up.

Think I should shorten it more?

I'll be interest in hearing more.

I've read the article on the Park site about choosing chain length and I've found it all quite
confusing.

Is there any one, sure fire method?

cheers,

"Pete Geurds" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

dax said:

Quoted message said:

So my quesstion is, which way is correct? Should I lock out the big to

big

Quoted message said:

combo by shortening the chain or will there always be loads of slack in

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

small / small combo?

I would use the method that insures not wrecking the drivetrain. I always run enough chain to use
the large-large combination. There's no real reason to use the small-small combination so I don't
worry about that. As you move up from the smallest cog where does the chain come under

tension?

Quoted message said:

second or third cog? I'd make that my limit when in the granny gear. The small-small really

crosses

Quoted message said:

up the chain. This assumes a long cage derailleur in proper working order.

Pete Geurds Douglassville, PA

You can test for a too-short chain by doing the following-

With the chain in the largest rear, middle (on a triple) front- must be able to shift from the
middle front to large without binding the rear derailleur.

With the chain in the second-largest rear and largest front- must be able to shift to the largest
rear without binding the derailleur.

*Both* tests have to pass; sometimes one will work and not the other. If that's the case, the
chain's too short. You don't want to assume you'll never shift that combo, because sometimes it's
hot, you're tired, and you just reach for that next gear, not realizing where you are, and BAM,
you've wrecked a derailleur, possibly your dropout as well, and could possibly even toss the whole
mess into the spokes. No fun.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles chainreactionbicycles.comchainreactionbicycles.comOpen ↗

"Me" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi, can someone give me some advice for setting up a new shimano chain on

a

Quoted message said:

buddy's mtb?

I've always used the medthod of putting the new chain up on the big front ring and the big rear
cog and then feeding through the deriallers and bringing the chain together as tight as I could
and from that point adding

a

Quoted message said:

link so that gear combo was theorectally usable -though I never actually would shift into it.

OK heres the prob,

My buddys got a new deore 44 t front chainring and a 32 rear cog and an xt long mech.

But when I use the above method I get loads of extra chain when I'm in the small / small combo.
Enough chain slack that in that gear combo that the chain drags around the mech as there isn't any
tension.

So my quesstion is, which way is correct? Should I lock out the big to big combo by shortening the
chain or will there always be loads of slack in

the

Quoted message said:

small / small combo?

Give me some advice please! Cheers,

"Me" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi, can someone give me some advice for setting up a new shimano chain on

a

Quoted message said:

buddy's mtb?

I've always used the medthod of putting the new chain up on the big front ring and the big rear
cog and then feeding through the deriallers and bringing the chain together as tight as I could
and from that point adding

a

Quoted message said:

link so that gear combo was theorectally usable -though I never actually would shift into it.

OK heres the prob,

My buddys got a new deore 44 t front chainring and a 32 rear cog and an xt long mech.

But when I use the above method I get loads of extra chain when I'm in the small / small combo.
Enough chain slack that in that gear combo that the chain drags around the mech as there isn't any
tension.

So my quesstion is, which way is correct? Should I lock out the big to big combo by shortening the
chain or will there always be loads of slack in

the

Quoted message said:

small / small combo?

Give me some advice please! Cheers,

I generally use one of two ways to size a chain, Peter explained the small/small method, the other
is big/big. Don't run the chain through the rear derailleur, bring the two ends of the chain
together, then add two links. Either method will work.

Mike

"Me" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Yes, I'm using a Long cage Derailler and it seems to pick up tension around the Third cog in the
back up.

Think I should shorten it more?

I'll be interest in hearing more.

I've read the article on the Park site about choosing chain length and I've found it all quite
confusing.

Is there any one, sure fire method?

cheers,

"Pete Geurds" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

dax said:

>So my quesstion is, which way is correct? Should I lock out the big to

big

Quoted message said:

combo by shortening the chain or will there always be loads of slack in

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>small / small combo?
>

I would use the method that insures not wrecking the drivetrain. I always run enough chain to
use the large-large combination. There's no real reason to use the small-small combination so I
don't worry about that. As you move up from the smallest cog where does the chain come under

tension?

Quoted message said:

second or third cog? I'd make that my limit when in the granny gear. The small-small really

crosses

Quoted message said:

up the chain. This assumes a long cage derailleur in proper working order.

Pete Geurds Douglassville, PA

I usually set it up so that in small-small, the chain is JUST tight - in other words, the top jockey
wheel is almost kissing the chain in its bottom run as it leaves the lower jockey... generally with
a long-cage derailleur that ALSO means it will allow big/big without expensive crunching... with
most derailleurs the only combo that might give grief would be something like a 52/34 big with 24/11
small ... Ъ×

Hi I'm the origional poster (or poser)

Thanks for all the recommendations so far.

Just to answer a few questionsm, Its long enough for big big no prob. So its just a matter of
cutting it down. Unfortunately, Its a shimano chain so I've been going through extra connectore pins
like crazy.

Park recommended this Big Big and not in the derailler method. Does this give a dif measurement than
feeding it though the derailler and adding one link.

I might try it, but when you say add two links does that really mean 4 segments? Hope this
makes sense.

-cheers

"Mike S." <mikeshaw2@coxDOTnet> wrote in message news:vP2ea.3494$Bq6.663@fed1read02...

Quoted message said:

"Me" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Hi, can someone give me some advice for setting up a new shimano chain

on

Quoted message said:

a

Quoted message said:

buddy's mtb?

I've always used the medthod of putting the new chain up on the big

front

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

ring and the big rear cog and then feeding through the deriallers and bringing the chain
together as tight as I could and from that point

adding

Quoted message said:

a

Quoted message said:

link so that gear combo was theorectally usable -though I never actually would shift into it.

OK heres the prob,

My buddys got a new deore 44 t front chainring and a 32 rear cog and an

xt

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

long mech.

But when I use the above method I get loads of extra chain when I'm in

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

small / small combo. Enough chain slack that in that gear combo that the chain drags around the
mech as there isn't any tension.

So my quesstion is, which way is correct? Should I lock out the big to

big

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

combo by shortening the chain or will there always be loads of slack in

the

Quoted message said:

small / small combo?

Give me some advice please! Cheers,

I generally use one of two ways to size a chain, Peter explained the small/small method, the other
is big/big. Don't run the chain through the rear derailleur, bring the two ends of the chain
together, then add two links. Either method will work.

Mike

"Me" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi I'm the origional poster (or poser)

Thanks for all the recommendations so far.

Just to answer a few questionsm, Its long enough for big big no prob. So

its

Quoted message said:

just a matter of cutting it down. Unfortunately, Its a shimano chain so

I've

Quoted message said:

been going through extra connectore pins like crazy.

Park recommended this Big Big and not in the derailler method. Does this give a dif measurement
than feeding it though the derailler and adding one link.

I might try it, but when you say add two links does that really mean 4 segments? Hope this
makes sense.

Two links are two outer and two inner segments, yes.

Two final words: Sachs chains. Love that connector!

Mike

Quoted message said:

-cheers

"Mike S." <mikeshaw2@coxDOTnet> wrote in message news:vP2ea.3494$Bq6.663@fed1read02...

Quoted message said:

"Me" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Hi, can someone give me some advice for setting up a new shimano chain

on

Quoted message said:

a

Quoted message said:

buddy's mtb?

I've always used the medthod of putting the new chain up on the big

front

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

ring and the big rear cog and then feeding through the deriallers and bringing the chain
together as tight as I could and from that point

adding

Quoted message said:

a

Quoted message said:

link so that gear combo was theorectally usable -though I never

actually

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

would shift into it.

OK heres the prob,

My buddys got a new deore 44 t front chainring and a 32 rear cog and

an

Quoted message said:

xt

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

long mech.

But when I use the above method I get loads of extra chain when I'm in

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

small / small combo. Enough chain slack that in that gear combo that

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

chain drags around the mech as there isn't any tension.

So my quesstion is, which way is correct? Should I lock out the big to

big

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

combo by shortening the chain or will there always be loads of slack

in

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the

Quoted message said:

small / small combo?

Give me some advice please! Cheers,

I generally use one of two ways to size a chain, Peter explained the small/small method, the
other is big/big. Don't run the chain through

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

rear derailleur, bring the two ends of the chain together, then add two links. Either method
will work.

Mike

another method not mentioned is big ring front, small gear back, imaginary line drawn through center
of derailleur pulley bolts should be perpendicular to the ground.

"Me" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi, can someone give me some advice for setting up a new shimano chain on

a

Quoted message said:

buddy's mtb?

I've always used the medthod of putting the new chain up on the big front ring and the big rear
cog and then feeding through the deriallers and bringing the chain together as tight as I could
and from that point adding

a

Quoted message said:

link so that gear combo was theorectally usable -though I never actually would shift into it.

OK heres the prob,

My buddys got a new deore 44 t front chainring and a 32 rear cog and an xt long mech.

But when I use the above method I get loads of extra chain when I'm in the small / small combo.
Enough chain slack that in that gear combo that the chain drags around the mech as there isn't any
tension.

So my quesstion is, which way is correct? Should I lock out the big to big combo by shortening the
chain or will there always be loads of slack in

the

Quoted message said:

small / small combo?

Give me some advice please! Cheers,

Mike S. said:

"Me" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi, can someone give me some advice for setting up a new shimano chain on

a

Quoted message said:

buddy's mtb?

I've always used the medthod of putting the new chain up on the big front ring and the big rear
cog and then feeding through the deriallers and bringing the chain together as tight as I could
and from that point adding

a

Quoted message said:

link so that gear combo was theorectally usable -though I never actually would shift into it.

OK heres the prob,

My buddys got a new deore 44 t front chainring and a 32 rear cog and an xt long mech.

But when I use the above method I get loads of extra chain when I'm in the small / small combo.
Enough chain slack that in that gear combo that the chain drags around the mech as there isn't any
tension.

So my quesstion is, which way is correct? Should I lock out the big to big combo by shortening the
chain or will there always be loads of slack in

the

Quoted message said:

small / small combo?

Give me some advice please! Cheers,

I generally use one of two ways to size a chain, Peter explained the small/small method, the other
is big/big. Don't run the chain through the rear derailleur, bring the two ends of the chain
together, then add two links. Either method will work.

Mike

For my bike, it's big-big outside the DR + 1/2 link (one link piece). It's still shiftable into the
big-big (night riding -- the noise lets me know right away 🙂), and I can get out the the small-2nd
smallest before running out of chain tension (only the small-small isn't tensioned enough to ride it
-- and I don't).

If it's a full suspension, make sure that you're doing this at the point where the suspension needs
the most chain!

David

"Frank Jaworski" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

another method not mentioned is big ring front, small gear back, imaginary line drawn through
center of derailleur pulley bolts should be perpendicular to the ground.

I add:

This is the method reccomended by Shimano. Works for me...

Cheers and safe riding,

-Jack

Me said:

I've always used the method of putting the new chain up on the big front ring and the big rear cog
and then feeding through the deriallers and bringing the chain together as tight as I could and
from that point adding a link so that gear combo was theorectally usable -though I never actually
would shift into it.

The part you got wrong is you don't feed it through the deraillers.