Can't quite get chain right...
Moderator: robbosmans
I set up my bike chain using the SRAM measurement per their spec for eTap (big/big, no der). I am running a 52/36 - 11-28. When riding and in 36 - 11 or up +2 (I know 36 - 11 and up 1 or 2 are not advisable) the chain is super slack and shifting is not so good. I went to resize the chain for sanity sake.
This is the Park method of big/big (no der.) join at front ring add 2. This is the chain using the small/small (w/der) and just getting rear der to slightly tension. I did pull out one inner link before taking images. I am sensing my setup is a 'tweener;" meaning I am in between links.
Is it better to be extra long or slightly short? Keep in mind from images the power link and ability to join (i.e. adding a inner link, which puts me back at droopy chain).
Any ideas? I hate to break chain more than needed.
PS; if using the measurement method, the chain is 53 1/2. Using L=2 (16.375)+(52/4+36/4+1); I get 53 as my chain stay is 40.8cm.
This is the Park method of big/big (no der.) join at front ring add 2. This is the chain using the small/small (w/der) and just getting rear der to slightly tension. I did pull out one inner link before taking images. I am sensing my setup is a 'tweener;" meaning I am in between links.
Is it better to be extra long or slightly short? Keep in mind from images the power link and ability to join (i.e. adding a inner link, which puts me back at droopy chain).
Any ideas? I hate to break chain more than needed.
PS; if using the measurement method, the chain is 53 1/2. Using L=2 (16.375)+(52/4+36/4+1); I get 53 as my chain stay is 40.8cm.
Last edited by sfo423 on Mon Jul 08, 2019 11:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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The photos you’ve provided are useless. What would help are photos of your RD while shifted into big-big and small-small.
Your chain including the quick link on one side should be 53in long if your chainstay measurement is correct. Since you reported 53.5, that means you didn’t account for the quick link and your chain is actually 54in long. In other words your chain is 108 links long, but should be 106. You need to remove one inner link and one outer link.
Also your formula values are messed up. 2(16.063)+(52/4)+(28/4)+1=53.126
That is close enough to 53 that I would round down.
Your chain including the quick link on one side should be 53in long if your chainstay measurement is correct. Since you reported 53.5, that means you didn’t account for the quick link and your chain is actually 54in long. In other words your chain is 108 links long, but should be 106. You need to remove one inner link and one outer link.
Also your formula values are messed up. 2(16.063)+(52/4)+(28/4)+1=53.126
That is close enough to 53 that I would round down.
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On the formula, I erred in putting numbers in post but spreadhsheet was correct; 53).
As far as rear der; here is the cage in big-big (you can see power link. Odd gearing yes but do I want more cage extension?) Here is the cage in small-small. The cage is barely under tension. Here is the cage in small-small but with two links out (didn't remove pin just lined up):
As far as rear der; here is the cage in big-big (you can see power link. Odd gearing yes but do I want more cage extension?) Here is the cage in small-small. The cage is barely under tension. Here is the cage in small-small but with two links out (didn't remove pin just lined up):
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Small small and whatever doesn't leave it loose... People make this so much harder than it needs to be...
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It does look borderline, but I think it's also "safe" to ditch one inner/outer pair. The math says so, but maybe his chainstays aren't actually 40.8cm...
My question to the OP is whether shifting is lazy beyond 11->12. If it's lazy beyond that, you have other problems like the b-gap is off, micro-adjust/indexing is off or the hanger isn't aligned well enough.
Small-small sizing has been the easiest method for me.
The only exception is when I'm sizing a chain for an oversized cassette or chainring tooth difference. If I were running an 11-32t cassette and/or 52/34 chainrings on a short cage derailleur, then small-small sizing could be inadequate. Then I test both combinations before cutting.
Should the chain be too slack in small-small, it's easy to take another 2 links out, provided big-big doesn't overstretch the derailleur and that you're using a quicklink.
The only exception is when I'm sizing a chain for an oversized cassette or chainring tooth difference. If I were running an 11-32t cassette and/or 52/34 chainrings on a short cage derailleur, then small-small sizing could be inadequate. Then I test both combinations before cutting.
Should the chain be too slack in small-small, it's easy to take another 2 links out, provided big-big doesn't overstretch the derailleur and that you're using a quicklink.
40.8 was spec from geo chart on chain stay.
I had the derr hanger alligned recently so its straight.
If in big/big; how far forward would the cage extend until you said 'too far?" In my bib/big rear der picture, I have more to extend forward; but not much.
I agree; this should not be so complicated and I have never had an issue on other bikes. But, sometimes getting it right the first time is best (and I'd hate to rip the derr into the wheel and find myself on my face).
It does look borderline, but I think it's also "safe" to ditch one inner/outer pair. The math says so, but maybe his chainstays aren't actually 40.8cm...
[/quote]
I had the derr hanger alligned recently so its straight.
If in big/big; how far forward would the cage extend until you said 'too far?" In my bib/big rear der picture, I have more to extend forward; but not much.
I agree; this should not be so complicated and I have never had an issue on other bikes. But, sometimes getting it right the first time is best (and I'd hate to rip the derr into the wheel and find myself on my face).
It does look borderline, but I think it's also "safe" to ditch one inner/outer pair. The math says so, but maybe his chainstays aren't actually 40.8cm...
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How tight is the rd in big big now. I use big big often with my 53/39 11-28. But i never use 39-11. Or 39-12. Super rarely 39-13 (uphill flattenig sprint only.
If big big is too tight rd +/- rear wheel +/- chainstay explosion. If too loose small small, just noise or sluggish shifting in a combo rarely used. I err on side of caution
If big big is too tight rd +/- rear wheel +/- chainstay explosion. If too loose small small, just noise or sluggish shifting in a combo rarely used. I err on side of caution
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On that first photo you would need to remove one more link. You are not on the correct link.
Big, Big for me works everytime using Park's method. 11-32 cassette and 50/34 crank.
Big, Big for me works everytime using Park's method. 11-32 cassette and 50/34 crank.
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